May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month. Unfortunately, motorcycles tend to be some of the most neglected vehicles on the road. These fast motor vehicles are cause for many, many fatalities every year. Here, we’re going to share some useful tips to avoid crashes with motorcycles and what to do if you happen to be in an accident with one.
Did you know?
· In 2011, 18.8% of all Florida traffic fatalities involved motorcyclists and their passengers.
How can I safely share the road with a motorcycle?
· Check your blind spots often. Motorcycles are much smaller than cars and can disappear into blind spots easily. Check these spots effectively by quickly turning your head after checking your mirrors before switching lanes.
· Use extra caution in rainy or foggy conditions. Motorcyclists tend to have a more difficult time in these conditions. Give them a little extra space if you see one on the road.
· Esurance.com tells drivers to follow the two-second rule. While driving, locate an object, such as a tree or sign and count two seconds between when the motorcycle passes the object and when you pass it. This small amount of time can be crucial in terms of your reaction time should anything unexpected happen.
· Look before you turn. Intersections are especially dangerous for motorcyclists because of their vehicle’s small turn factor. Spend an extra second or two to look out for potential motorcycles. This could be the difference between life and death.
I’ve gotten into an accident with a motorcycle and it’s their fault. What can I do?
· Regardless of whether it’s a car, bike, or motorcycle accident, the person who is most liable is the one who made the initial mistake.
· If it’s their fault, and you’re able to prove they carry accident liability, you’ll likely be able to recover from their insurance.
· The vehicle you happen to be driving during the accident isn’t as important as who carries the fault.For example, if a motorcycle rear-ends you, then it’s almost always their fault in the situation. The same applies if a car had rear ended you instead.
· To be able to prove fault and receive your insurance claim, you must find the applicable state traffic law that was violated in the accident. Next, find the right code section that applies to your accident. Write down or print the code section to show the other driver’s insurance company. These codes can be found in a “Rules of the Road” booklet located at your DMV.
I’ve gotten into an accident with a motorcycle and it’s my fault. What should I do now?
· By following our tips on how to safely share the road with a motorcycle, your chances of crashing with a motorcycle are low.
· In the chance that you do happen to crash with a motorcycle, deal with it as you would in any other accident in which you are the at-fault party.
· All-about-accidents.com outlines some useful tips if you are the at-fault driver in a traffic accident. Some of these include not admitting fault and calling the police immediately.
· Take photographs at the scene of the accident. Be honest with the police regarding how the events took place. What you tell the police cannot be used against you in any court proceeding.
· File an accident report. Most importantly, remain calm and know you’ll get through it.
Everyone makes mistakes. With the proper training you’ll be informed and will be able to deal with the accident in the best way possible.
Citations:
Lee, C. (2014, March 06). Motorcycle crashes, fatalities, and injuries in florida. Retrieved from http://www.ridesmartflorida.com/dataandstatistics.shtm
esurance. (n.d.). sharing the road with motorcycles. Retrieved from http://www.esurance.com/driving-tips/sharing-the-road-with-motorcycles
Nationwide. (n.d.). Car accident liability: Proving fault in a car crash – see more at. Retrieved from http://injury.findlaw.com/car-accidents/car-accident-liability-proving-fault-in-a-car-crash.html
Goguen, D. (n.d.). What to do after a car accident if you are at fault. Retrieved from http://www.all-about-car-accidents.com/resources/auto-accident/car-accident-claims/what-to-do-after-a-car-accident-if-you-are-at