Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. They start and accelerate so quickly, steer so easily, and can outrun most other road vehicles. If you"re a motorcycle rider, you are probably tempted to open that throttle and take off into the wind.
The problem is there are so many other vehicles on our U.S. roads these days, and so many of them are very large. There are more big rigs, more high pickup trucks, and more SUVs. They have blind spots and may not see a nimble motorcycle darting between lanes or quickly overtaking them.
Most motorcyclists observe the rules of the road. They signal before changing lanes or turning and they leave enough space around other vehicles for safety. But if you are driving an 18-wheeler, with blind spots big enough to accommodate several motorcycles on each side of you, and front and back, you may not immediately see a bike that surges into the space in front of you.
Most drivers of cars and trucks also observe the rules of the road. But somehow, accidents happen, and when they do, it"s the motorcycle riders who are most often seriously injured and even killed.
Since 1997, motorcycle fatalities have been increasing
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4008 bike riders died in 2004 and 76,000 were injured. About half of the accidents involved alcohol use and in one third of them the motorcyclist was speeding.
A bike rider is vulnerable not only from other traffic, but from poorly maintained roads, bad weather, mechanical failures, and poor lighting conditions. Although all traffic is subject to these risks, a bike rider is extra vulnerable because of having no protection around him, other than his or her helmet and clothing. This is the flip side of why bike riding is so exhilarating. The freedom is exciting, but it"s also risky. That"s probably true of every kind of freedom.
Be extra vigilant
Drivers of trucks and cars need to be extra vigilant in watching for bike riders. Look carefully behind you before changing lanes or turning. Stay a safe distance behind any bike in front of you. Be sure and signal if you want to pass a bike rider. If a rider seems to be acting irresponsibly, stay out of the way.
If you have lost a loved motorcycle rider in a traffic accident, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options. Depending on how the accident happened, there may be several sources of negligence that contributed to the accident.
· The government entity responsible for the road upkeep
· A maintenance crew who may have left debris on the road
· A late trucker who may be exceeding his drive-time or the speed limit
· A trucking company who may be overworking their drivers
Your accident lawyer will look into any such possibilities, and look to see where the "deep pockets" are. So don"t under-estimate your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your loss.