Motorcycle Safety
He was wearing a helmet, but it didn’t save his life. When a motorcyclist made the mistake of running a stop sign in Middleburg, it was the last thing he did. That’s because another vehicle was traveling on the perpendicular road, and the resulting collision resulted in the motorcyclist’s
untimely fatality, here in the state that ranks fourth in the nation in motorcycle fatalities. Just a few recent serious accidents here in the Sunshine State include:
- The death of a motorcyclist in Jacksonville after being hit by an SUV that was making a turn and collided with the cyclist;
- The death of a woman on a motorcycle in Flagler County that was smashed into in an intersection by a left-turning vehicle that neglected to yield;
- A 30-year-old was killed in Fleming Island after an SUV failed to yield during a turn and ran into the motorcyclist.
Mitigating the Risk
In Florida, the endless sunshine makes riding a motorcycle more fun than ever. But the risks or riding are obvious: motorcyclists are at a distinct disadvantage in the event of a collision. That makes preventing crashes job one! The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has these tips for riders:
- Never get on a motorcycle after consuming alcohol.
- Do whatever you can to increase your visibility—ride with headlights on at all times, wear bright or reflective clothing, and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Never ride without a helmet.
- Follow all driving laws and posted speed limits.
- Be in control at all times.
- Be trained and endorsed on your motorcycle.
- Make sure the bike is the right size for you and is in good working condition.
National Facts
The sad fact is that motorcyclists make up more than their fair share of traffic fatalities. There were nearly 6,000 such deaths on the road in 2021—a horrific 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. While motorcyclists, themselves, sometimes contribute to the accidents that lead to such fatalities, all too often motorists deserve some of the blame.
Motorists can Improve Safety for Motorcyclists
There are a number of things that every driver can do to keep the roads a little safer for people on motorcycles:
- Avoid tailgating in general and behind motorcycles specifically.
- Take a second look before changing lanes, pulling out of a driveway, or going through an intersection.
- Double check your blind spot before proceeding with a lane change.
- Use your turn signal long before executing a turn or lane change.
- Be alert for mechanical failures.
After a Serious Accident
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or death due to a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to damages to address your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and more. To discuss, contact the experienced and aggressive Kissimmee personal injury attorneys at Salazar & Kelly Law Group today.
Source:
news4jax.com/news/local/2023/11/18/middleburg-man-dies-after-running-stop-sign-crashing-into-truck-fhp/
