Spring is in the air and that can only mean one thing—it is time to go for a ride! The lower temperatures of spring make it a perfect time to bust out the bike and hit the open road. But before you hop on your Harley, it is important to spend a little time reviewing the best way to prevent an accident.
While motorcycle accidents do not happen with any more frequency than car accidents the consequences of a bike accident are usually far worse. A serious crash can leave a rider with severe and life threating injuries. In some cases, bikers even lose their lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2013 bikers were 26 times more likely to be killed in a crash per vehicle mile traveled compared with occupants in a passenger car.
The best way for a motorcyclist to avoid becoming a statistic is to try to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place. By knowing what types of accidents are most prevalent and what sort of behaviors lead to crashes, you can take steps to avoid putting yourself in danger. The following are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and what you can learn from each:
- Cars making left-hand turns: One of the most dangerous and common accidents occur when a passenger vehicle driver makes a left-hand turn. To decrease the likelihood of being involved in this type of accident the two most important things a rider can do is to adhere to the posted speed limit and pay attention to other drivers. If you notice a driver that is about to make a turn, you need to be able to decide if you can brake or swerve to avoid a collision.
- Rear-end collisions: While a rear-end collision between two cars is most often considered a minor fender bender, it can be a dangerous accident if it is between a car and a motorcycle. The best way to prevent this type of accident is for riders to leave a safe following distance between themselves and the car in front of them in case the driver needs to make a sudden stop.
- Drivers of cars often report not having seen motorcycle: One of the downsides of motorcycles being smaller than passenger cars is that their presence is often difficult to detect on the road. If a driver cannot see a rider then he or she is liable to hit him or her. Riders can try to increase their visibility to drivers by avoiding lingering in blind spots and making sure to leave an adequate buffer between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- Driving intoxicated: According to data collected by the NHTSA, in 2014, 29 percent of the riders killed in motorcycle accidents were legally intoxicated, or in other words, had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. This is 2 percent more than the year before. Drinking and riding is just as big of a “no no” as drinking and driving. Do yourself and your fellow motorists a favor and ride sober!
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in a motorcycle accident the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will work to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to fight for you, just as they have fought for the rights of countless motorcycle victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To learn about your legal options, contact the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today by calling (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we provide injury victims with exceptional legal services.