Motorcycle season is here again and sometimes we forget just how serious a motorcycle accident can be. These types of accidents happen in seconds and can be extreme devastating or fatal. What are some things that drivers need to keep in mind when they are on the road with motorcyclists?
First, it’s important to remember that in most motorcycle accident cases, the other driver (not the motorcyclist) is at fault. In many cases, a driver didn’t see a motorcyclist and that’s what led to the collision. Keep your eye out for these small vehicles. They may be masked by objects on the side of the road such as bridges or fences or may be in a car’s blind spot. Always take an extra minute to look at your surroundings before merging or making a turn.
You may think that motorcyclists are able to stop faster, and in general, you may be right, but remember that the road conditions have a lot to do with whether or not a rider is able to quickly stop. On top of that, remember that many riders will lay off the gas in order to slow down instead of actually hitting the brake, so do not rely on the brake light in order to tell you that they are stopping. Keep a safe driving distance behind the motorcycle. Same goes for if you are driving in front of one. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to stop because a motorcyclist may not always be able to stop suddenly.
Drivers and riders both have a duty to keep each other safe on the road. “Not seeing” a motorcyclist is not an excuse for causing an accident.
