by Texas Christian injury lawyer, Tim O’Hare
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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Whether you ride a motorcycle or not, anytime you are operating a vehicle on the the road, you are responsible to do your part to keep all motorists safe, including motorcyclists. Ninety-eight percent of motorcycle riders who are involved in accidents are injured. Of those, half of them suffer serious injuries.
Share the road with motorcyclists and other motorists and take precautions to avoid an accident that could be prevented. In recognition of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, here are three tips for all drivers from one of D Magazine’s best personal injury lawyers in Dallas:
Check twice for traffic when changing lanes or turning at intersections. The profile of a motorcycle is much smaller than that of a car or truck. A motorcycle’s small size not only makes it more easily hidden from the sight of other drivers, but it can also make it appear further away than it is. The smaller size of motorcycles can also make it difficult for other motorists to judge how fast a motorcycle is traveling.
Don’t follow motorcyclists at close distances. Some motorcyclists slow their speed by downshifting rather than breaking. Motorists should allow at least three to four seconds following distance, and predict when a motorcyclist in front of them may slow down. When roads are wet, motorcycles can have a difficult time stopping quickly and should be allowed more space from other motorists.
Be aware that a motorcyclist may often change positions in a lane. Motorcycles do not respond to road hazards, such as debris and potholes as well as other vehicles do. Because of this, a motorcyclist might often be seen changing his or her position within a lane, to avoid potential hazards. Motorcyclists may also change positions in a lane to be seen more easily by other drivers.
Safety on the roads for all drivers is dependent on drivers being aware of their surroundings and others on the road. For more information on sharing the road with motorcyclists, read this list of tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
If you have been seriously injured or lost a family member in a motorcycle accident, contact the experienced Dallas – Ft. Worth personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare. Tim O’Hare is a motorcyclist and has had his motorcycle license for almost all of his adult life.
Call The Law Offices of Tim O’Hare for your FREE Case Evaluation
972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020
