May was national Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Though the month is just about over, it is not too late for a reminder that riders are frequently at risk of harm at the hands of negligent car and truck drivers.
Both motorcyclists and drivers can take steps to reduce the chances they get into a wreck. WIBW recently shared some safety tips provided by AAA:
For Drivers:
- Always check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or merging, and at intersections, to look for motorcycles. Use your signals every time.
- Before turning or changing lanes, make sure you know what any nearby riders intend to do and react accordingly.
- Increase your usual following distance when behind a motorcycle, to give you extra time to break or get out of the way if necessary.
For Motorcyclists:
- Wear protective gear, including motorcycle pants, gloves, and a helmet.
- Keep yourself as visible as possible with bright colors, reflective tape, and your headlight.
- Follow traffic laws.
These tips can reduce your chances of a motorcycle crash, but there may not be much you can do if a bad driver ever bears down on you. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, chances are good you have been badly injured because riders do not have airbags and seatbelts to protect them like people in four-wheeled vehicles do.
When someone gets hurt because of someone else’s negligence, the negligent party is legally responsible for the financial losses suffered by the victim. For help getting the compensation you deserve, please contact our office today.