If you love the feel of the wind whistling in your face as you race at high speeds in the open air, you aren’t alone. Jalopnik reports that more people are riding motorcycles these days than ever before. Unfortunately, however, this combination hobby/mode of transportation carries a high risk. Everything riders love about their bikes also makes them dangerous. According to the most recent statistics offered by the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA) , an average of 5,000 motorcyclists are killed as a result of traffic collisions each year. What’s more, those who survive crash tragically often experience debilitating pain, high medical bills, extensive rehabilitation, associated loss of wages, and compromised motor and/or cognitive function.
Driver Error
Rather than user error, many experts believe that most motorcycles that crash into cars do so because of a phenomenon called Inattentional Blindness or Change Blindness . These terms refer to the failure of someone to notice something even as they are looking right at it. Unfortunately, this occurs all too often relative to drivers who hit motorcycles while in transit. Car/motorcycle crashes are common. The most harmful event for 3,019 (57%) of the 5,326 motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2017 were collisions with motor vehicles in transport. The percentage is high because motorcycles make up just three percent of all registered vehicles.
While you may not be able to control the actions of other people on the road, you can take steps to be safe while you’re driving your motorcycle:
- Understand the inherent dangers of driving a motorcycle.
- Anticipate the likelihood of blindness while paying attention.
- Drive only when you are alert and can maintain focus throughout the trip.
- Match speed to road conditions.
- Wear appropriate safety gear.
- Learn about vehicle and motorcycle safety progressively.
- Turn on motorcycle lights day or night – whenever you hop on your bike.
- Maintain lane placement. Stay inside your lane for maximum safety.
We Would Love to Help
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, whether you were the driver or the passenger, we may be able to help. Contact Moet Law today for a complimentary case evaluation. We work on a contingency basis. So, we don’t get paid unless you do. Don’t take on the added burden of trying to represent yourself even as you struggle to recover. Trust Moet Law to help you get the justice you deserve!