When you’re riding down Interstate 4 and the car driver next to you puts on his blinker, you may panic. After all, it’s not uncommon for cars to switch lanes and run into motorcycles while doing so. Motorists often fail to see bikers, and the results are potentially devastating.
To promote motorcycle safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has deemed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This campaign is to remind motorists to recognize motorcyclists and encourage bikers to be vigilant drivers.
Common Motorcycle Accidents
According to the NHTSA, 4,668 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2013. Knowing some common issues motorcyclists face could prevent you from being involved in an accident. Here are three of the most common motorcycle accident scenarios we hear in our office:
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A car turns left in front of you. A driver may be distracted, unable to see you, or inaccurately predict his speed and unexpectedly turn left in front of you, causing a crash.
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A truck or car changes lanes into your lane, causing a side impact. When asked why a collision happened, a car driver will often say, “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” Some scientists think that passenger vehicle drivers program themselves to look for other cars and trucks and simply “tune out” motorcycles.
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A car hits you from behind. If a driver is distracted or inaccurately judges the distance between his car and the motorcycle, a collision is likely to occur. Fender-benders may not be a huge deal for someone riding in a car, truck, or van, but equal impacts for motorcyclists are often deadly.
We Want to Help
These are common accidents that motorcyclists face, and if you’re involved in one that’s not your fault, you’ll want to seek the advice of an experienced lawyer. Contact the attorneys at Johnson and Gilbert to learn how we may be able to help.
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