Preventing Motorcycle Accidents

The Tampa Bay Times recently reported that a 27-year-old motorcyclist has died in an accident on Interstate 275 after attempting to pass two vehicles. The St. Petersburg resident was riding his 2017 Yamaha southbound in the left lane of the highway near downtown St. Petersburg when he lost control of his motorcycle. He subsequently ran into the first vehicle, a sedan, before falling from his motorcycle and being hit by a truck, the second vehicle he was attempting to pass.

Motorcycle accidents can result in some of the biggest tragedies because, sadly, motorcycle riders are highly vulnerable to suffering injuries when accidents occur. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists lost their lives on America’s roads in 2017.

What Can Motorcyclists Do to Reduce the Risks?

• Use your turn signals. The Society of Automotive Engineers recently discovered that 50 percent of drivers fail to signal when changing lanes and another 25 percent don’t signal when making a turn. Failing to signal before attempting to pass a vehicle can be an especially bad idea for a motorcyclist. Always use this simple safety device as doing so can save your life.
• Don’t share your lane. Keep in mind that riding a motorcycle means being aware that there are many factors on the road that are outside your control – but the lane you ride in isn’t one of them. Always ride in your own lane and avoid splitting lanes. Drivers don’t expect to share a lane with motorcyclists and may miss you when making a lane change or turn which can cause an accident.
• Wear a helmet. While an adult who is at least 21 years old and has an insurance policy that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits may operate a motorcycle without protective head gear under Florida law, that doesn’t make doing so a good idea. Understand that all helmets are not created equally and always wear one to reduce your risk of sustaining injuries while riding on or operating a motorcycle.
• Don’t drive impaired. Just as you would hope that the motorists driving around you haven’t been drinking or using drugs before climbing behind the wheel, you should also never attempt to drive impaired. Significantly, this isn’t a question of how impaired you feel; it is a question of what substances are in your body. Alcohol played a role in 25 percent of motorcycle accidents in 2016.

Allow Us to Help.

Tragically, even when motorcycle riders take all necessary precautions and drive with a high level of care, preventable wrecks can still happen when others are negligent. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash, we can help – even if there was no other driver involved in your accident. The Tampa motorcycle accident attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are experienced in helping people like you recover the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Miami, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach and Bradenton areas.

tampabay.com/breaking-news/fhp-motorcyclist-killed-in-accident-on-i-275-after-attempting-to-pass-20190505/

https://www.pendaslaw.com/all-motorcycle-helmets-are-not-equal/