Riding Safe: Tips For Preventing Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are inherently in a more vulnerable situation on the roadways than someone driving an SUV or a pickup truck. Their rides are less stable and offer little protection in the event of a crash. Yet even veteran riders may be surprised — and alarmed — by the crash data regarding their favorite mode of transportation.

According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles account for only three percent of all registered vehicles in the United States and only 0.6 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Yet motorcyclists account for fourteen percent of all traffic deaths, more than 5000 deaths a year. Eighty percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death; based on the fatality rate per 100,000 vehicles registered, motorcyclists are four times more likely to be killed in a crash than car drivers.

At least some of the deadly collisions can be attributed to reckless behavior on the part of motorcycle operators, including speeding and drinking; alcohol is involved in 40 percent of single-vehicle fatal crashes by motorcyclists, and speeding is a factor in a third of motorcycle fatal crashes. But more often than not, motorcycle crashes are caused by non-motorcycle drivers, who are driving impaired or distracted, following too close, speeding — or who simply fail to see or yield to an approaching motorcycle. Given the degree to which motorcyclists are at risk from others’ carelessness, it’s essential for motorcyclists to drive not just defensively but with a high degree of vigilance at all times. In the unfortunate event of a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, seeking guidance from a motorcycle accident lawyer in Colorado is crucial to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.

Here are tips for anticipating — and preventing — motorcycle crashes:

1. Get road-worthy. The right protective gear, including long pants and sleeves, leathers or padded or insulated clothing, eye protection, and sturdy boots, can make a significant difference in many crash scenarios. Regular maintenance on tires and brakes and making sure signals and headlights are working also helps. And, regardless of your personal preferences or the helmet laws in your state, wearing a full-face helmet is one of the best investments you can make in self-preservation; the helmet-less are twice as likely to suffer traumatic brain injury in a crash.
2. Get seen. Wearing bright colors and incorporating reflective materials in your clothing and your ride help to alert other drivers to your presence. Keep the headlight on, too, and don’t hesitate to use your horn if you think other drivers are oblivious. Most of all, try to stay out of others’ blind spots.
3. Slow down. Reaction time is everything. Instead of testing your engine’s limits, give yourself the time and distance to respond to changing road and traffic conditions — debris or stopped vehicles, a blind turn, merging lanes, potholes, etc. Be flexible enough in your trip planning to incorporate some down time, in case you have to take a break because of inclement weather or some other surprise.
4. Anticipate trouble at intersections. Half of all crashes happen at intersections. Motorcyclists are especially at risk, not just from oncoming traffic turning left in front of them but from drivers behind them who are not paying attention and could rear-end them. Check your rear-view mirror, come to a stop at the edge of the lane and flash your brake lights repeatedly. Keep in gear, and if it looks like you’re about to get hit, pull away to the shoulder if possible.
5. Avoid lane-sharing and parked cars. Lane-splitting, the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of slow-moving or stalled traffic, is illegal in several states. But weaving incessantly around other vehicles, even if it’s permitted, can still be highly risky. Consider all the things that can happen if, say, you’re squeezing between active traffic and parked cars:  a car could abruptly pull out in front of you, or a car door could open, or a pedestrian could step in front of you. Remember: space and distance are your friends.
6. Adopt a safety-first attitude. Since motorcycles are at a disadvantage in any encounters with bigger, heavier vehicles, it makes sense to do what you can to improve the situation. Don’t drink and drive, signal your intentions before lane changes, make sure other drivers are aware that you’re there. The relationship between cars and motorcycles doesn’t have to be an antagonistic one, if safety-conscious drivers on both sides understand the importance of sharing the road.

What to Do if Involved in a Colorado Motorcycle Accident

Statistics show that motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in auto injury accident, and 5 times more likely to be seriously injured. Motorcycles lack crashworthiness and substantial barriers for occupant protection, and are much lighter and much less stable than a typical automobile. Due to the much greater potential for death or serious injury associated with a motorcycle accident, motorcycle riders must be more protective of their own safety and more aware of their legal rights and options than other motorists.

How are Motorcycle Accidents Different?

In addition to the much greater potential for serious injury and death, motorcycle accidents present special problems and considerations not typically associated with normal car accidents. Some of the unique problems faced by motorcycles on the road include:

• Visual Recognition Problems. Motorcycles are more difficult to see than other vehicles, especially at intersections, where most visual recognition accidents occur.
• Road Hazards. Road hazards that are small and unimportant to other vehicles, such as potholes, oil slicks, debris, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks can be major hazards for motorcyclists.
• “Wobble” Accidents. The front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and shake or “wobble,” especially at high speeds, which can lead to an accident. This happens when the front and back tires aren’t properly aligned. If this happens the manufacturer of the motorcycle may be liable. Contact an attorney experienced in motorcycle accidents and personal injury.
• Riding Skill Problems. Driving a motorcycle requires more coordination and skill than driving a car. Some accidents can be caused in part by the rider’s lack of basic riding skills or failure to understand his or her own limitations

Colorado Motorcycle Helmet Laws

In Colorado, helmets are required by law for all motorcycle drivers and passengers under the age of 17. However, failure to wear a helmet can significantly reduce the amount that a motorcycle accident victim can recover in damages based the motorcyclist’s contributory negligence, if it can be shown that the absence of a helmet contributed to the victim’s injuries.

A helmet is by far the most important piece of equipment that a motorcyclist can wear. A helmetless rider is several times as likely to suffer a brain injury or die from trauma sustained to the head as a result of a motorcycle accident than riders who do wear helmets.

Defective Motorcycle Design or Manufacture

Although several factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, a defect in a motorcycle’s design or manufacture should be considered as a potential cause of an accident, especially one where only the motorcycle rider is involved. In some cases, the manufacturer may be held liable and pay damages for a defect in the design or construction of the motorcycle. An experienced attorney can help sift through these issues and determine whether or not a manufacturer could be liable.

Should I Hire a Colorado Motorcycle Attorney?

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the most important step in protecting your legal rights is to contact an experienced and skilled attorney. Issues with your potential claim, including compliance with traffic laws, motor vehicle regulations, medical treatment issues, and liability determinations, all require the expertise of an attorney who is experienced in the area of motorcycle accident liability and personal injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, contact a Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer experienced in personal injury and motorcycle accidents today to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Meet Peter & Learn More About His Motorcycle Accident Experience

THE CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT FDAZAR

For nearly forty years, the attorneys at Franklin D. Azar & Associates have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise in serious injury cases have allowed us to grow into the largest personal injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Greeley, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Loveland, Pueblo, and Thornton. If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, rideshare,  truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please call the car accident attorneys at FDAzar day or night at 800-716-9032, or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.