motorcycle accident

The number of licensed motorcycles in Washington state is on a steady rise. Unfortunately, according to accident statistics provided by the Washington State Patrol, the number of fatal collisions involving motorcycles is increasing just as rapidly. This year to date, a total of 13 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents throughout the state, and 11 of these collisions, nearly 85 percent, were determined to be the fault of the person riding the motorcycle. Recently, three fatal motorcycle accidents occurred throughout the state in the period of a single weekend, and all of them were determined to be the fault of the motorcyclist. This increasing trend has been noticed over the past several years by law enforcement officials throughout Washington, state patrol representatives contend, and the increasing motorcycle accident rate can be traced to the rising number of novice motorcycle riders on the road. Motorcyclists with little experience at the handlebars often exceed the legally enforced speed limit and attempt riding maneuvers that are beyond their skill level, law enforcement authorities say. Operators of motorcycles must take responsibility for their own safety on public roads, State Patrol representatives say, and refrain from unsafe cycling practices, such as attempting to ride while under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. Novice motorcyclists riding bikes too advanced and powerful for them to safely control and older operators who haven’t taken updated motorcycle safety training classes are the most likely to be killed in a motorcycle collision, law enforcement officers report.

In response to several motorcycle accidents that have occurred in the area, Las Vegas area law enforcement officers have announced a new campaign to promote motorcycle safety awareness. Motorcyclists and motorists driving larger passenger vehicles can take steps to reduce the number of motorcycle related traffic accidents, safety experts say. One of the most common situations leading to a motorcycle colliding with a larger automobile occurs when a larger vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcycle heading in the opposite direction. Motorists operating larger vehicles often fail to check their blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes. The number one cause of a collision between a motorcycle and a larger vehicle when the motorcyclist is at fault is that the motorcycle was being operated at a speed exceeding the legal limit. The practice of lane splitting, or weaving between cars, is illegal in the state of Nevada, but many motorcyclists do it anyway, according to state traffic law enforcement officers. Motorcycle deaths in the Las Vegas area have dropped 30 percent this year in comparison to this point in 2011.

As a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer, I am hopeful that these sorts of safet efforts are effective in making the roads less dangerous for everyone. If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision please consider contacting a car accident attorney in San Bernardino.

In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle related traffic collisions that occur in the state, Oklahoma law enforcement officers are collaborating with the state’s Department of Transportation to offer informative motorcycle safety classes. Motorcycle collisions and fatal accidents involving motorcyclists are a rising trend across the United States, safety experts warn, and law enforcement officials in Oklahoma are hoping this educational program will reduce the number of motorcycle related traffic collisions across the state.  Oklahomans interested in enrolling in a motorcycle safety course can do so online through the program’s website.  A registration and waiver form are available at this website, and these forms can be filled out and sent electronically.  These safety classes will be taught by Oklahoma State Troopers from the Highway Patrol’s Motorcycle Division. Students enrolled in the motorcycle safety training class should come prepared with the following supplies: protective eye wear, undamaged long sleeved shirt and full length pants, boots, preferably leather that cover the ankle), full-fingered motorcycling gloves, and a motorcycle safety helmet compliant with federally approved safety guidelines. In the state of Oklahoma, motorcycle riders 18 years and older are not required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, but the safety classes will require attendees to wear them in order to reinforce safe practices for operating a motorcycle.

As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, I hope these sorts of training efforts are successful in making the roads safer for all motorists. If you have been injured in a traffic collision, please consider contacting a car accident attorney in Riverside.

In the state of Virginia, fatal motorcycle collisions have increased 45 percent in 2012 in comparison to this time last year. So far this year, 17 motorcyclists have been killed in collisions throughout the state, according to statistics provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, in comparison to the 12 motorcyclists killed by this point in 2011. Throughout the entire year of 2011, 90 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents in the state of Virginia, and more than 2,000 more were injured, according to data provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles in a release reminding motorists that May has been declared Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Approximately nine out of 10 of the fatal motorcycle collisions that occurred in 2011 were caused by motorcyclists losing control of their vehicles at high speeds, and nearly 50 percent of all collisions were single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle by itself, and 28 percent of all deadly accidents were linked to alcohol use. The Department of Motor Vehicles hopes to combat the increased rate of motorcycle fatalities this year with a public safety awareness program emphasizing correct motorcycle operating procedures and thorough biker education programs.

As a Ventura personal injury lawyer, I hope these and other public safety awareness programs are successful in their missions to make the roads less dangerous for all motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in any sort of traffic accident, please consider contacting a car accident attorney in Ventura.

May has been designated Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, and the Texas Department of Public Safety is taking this as an opportunity to remind motorists to exercise additional safety measures when sharing the road with motorcycles. Motorcycles are less visible than other vehicles, and more vulnerable in the event of a collision. Their smaller size, lower weight, and reduced safety and protection features increase the odds that a traffic accident will result in serious injuries or death. Local law enforcement officials advise that motorists in larger vehicles make an extra effort to look for motorcycles on the road and allow them extra space to maneuver. Motorcyclists can decrease the danger of being involved in a collision by wearing brightly colored clothing and a protective helmet that meets or exceeds federal safety guidelines. Two public safety awareness advertising campaigns currently running throughout the state remind motorists to “Look Twice” for motorcycles and “Share the Road” with them. Drivers are reminded to take extra precautions when changing lanes or approaching an intersection, two situations that commonly lead to collisions involving motorcycles. Approximately 50 percent of all fatal collisions involving motorcycles and larger vehicles in Texas occurred because the motorist did not see the motorcycle in time to take corrective action.

As a car accident attorney in San Jose, I am hopeful that this safety awareness campaign is successful in making the road safer for everyone. If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision of any kind, please consider contacting a San Jose personal injury lawyer.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program is sponsoring a program to help educate motorists throughout the state about motorcycle safety. The program, called BikeSafe NC was established five years ago to provide motorcycle safety classes to North Carolina residents. The classes, taught by local motorcycle police officers does not replace a standard motorcycle operator’s education class, instructors warn, but is intended to provide tips for becoming a better, safer motorcycle rider. In honor of National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, a series of four of these classes was recently launched in Thomasville, North Carolina, and it is scheduled to continue through the month of July. About 12 residents of Thomasville and surrounding communities attended the first class, held at an area hotel. The class began with a law enforcement officer showing a series of photographs of fatal motorcycle collisions as a reminder of the risks involved in operating a motorcycle. Thomasville received a grant recently from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program to buy two 2011 Kawaski Concour 1400 patrol motorcycles and train two experienced police officers to operate them. Since it debuted in 2007, the BikeSafe NC has been credited with reducing the number of motorcycle collisions throughout the state by nearly one fourth.

As a Riverside personal injury lawyer, I am hopeful that this safety initiative and others like it are successful in reducing the number of collisions on American roadways. If you have been involved in a traffic accident, please consider contacting a Riverside car accident attorney.

Warmer weather means more motorcycles on American roadways. This means more collisions involving motorcyclists, and in response, the federal government has declared May as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind motorists to keep an eye out for motorcyclists and motorcyclists to make an effort to make themselves more visible to motor vehicle operators. The state of Missouri has launched a campaign to support this public safety awareness effort by reminding motorists to “Watch for Motorcycles.” Motorcycles are smaller and quicker than automobiles, and more difficult to see on the roadways, especially when they are approaching from the side. Last year 671 motorcycle collisions occurred in the state of Missouri, including 644 accidents causing severe injuries and 82 fatalities. Safety experts advise that drivers can avoid becoming involved in a collision with a motorcyclist by allowing motorcycles to occupy an entire lane, signal and double check their side mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes, and maintain a five second following distance. Experts also advise that motorcyclists wear a safety helmet compliant with safety guidelines, avoid riding in inclement weather conditions, and signal turns with both turn signals and hand signals.

As a car accident attorney in Riverside, I hope this safety effort is successful in making the roadways less dangerous for motorists and motorcyclists alike. If you or someone you love has been  injured in a traffic collision, please consider contacting Riverside personal injury lawyer.

Motorcycle safety experts recommend that novice bike riders stick to smaller, easier to control motorcycles as they’re learning to operate the vehicle. Some motorcycle riders believe that adding a sidecar to their motorcycle will make it easier to control, but representatives from the Canada Safety Council’s Gearing Up Motorcycle Rider Training Program warn that adding a sidecar can actually make a motorcycle more difficult to operate. Sidecars don’t lean with the motorcycle on turns and must be independently controlled and braked in order to keep control of the motorcycle, a complicated responsibility that can cause difficulty for even experienced motorcyclists. The setup for a motorcycle sidecar rig is also a complicated process that is crucial for proper handling. Smaller motorcyclists with lower body weight will have a more difficult time controlling their motorcycles with the added weight of a sidecar. Sidecars also require a larger, heavier motorcycle, which will be more difficult to control than a smaller sport bike. If a smaller motorcycle is uncomfortable, experts advise adjusting the bike’s height. Novice riders might also consider riding a three wheel motorcycle, or trike. The trike also won’t lean into corners, but it is easier to control than a sidecar.

As a San Francisco car accident lawyer, I am hopeful that motorcyclists and motorists alike will practice safer driving habits on the roadways. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving any sort of vehicle, please consider hiring a car accident attorney in Bakersfield.

Motorists seeking motorcycle operator’s license in the state of Kentucky will soon be required to pass a newly developed motorcycle safety test. The test was developed by safety experts at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as a response to an increasing number of motorcycle accidents occurring in the state. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers technical assistance to state’s motorcycle licensing departments. According to law enforcement officials, the newly developed test will be more effective at determining the qualifications of potential motorcyclists to operate their vehicles safely in traffic. The new test will require motorcyclists to successfully complete four exercises on a closed course to determine their proficiency with the vehicles. The state’s previous motorcycle operator’s license qualification test required applicants to complete two skills testing exercises. The new tests must be completed under the supervision of a licensed examiner from the Kentucky State Police Department. The state of Kentucky has updated its driver’s manual to reflect the changes in the qualification process for obtaining a motorcycle operator’s license. The new requirements will begin at the beginning of next month.

As a personal injury attorney in San Bernardino, I hope that these new safety requirements make the roads safer for motorcyclists and drivers alike. If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic collision, please consider contacting a San Bernardino car accident lawyer.

Spring’s warmer temperatures mean more motorcycles on roads across the United States – and more risk of motorcycle related highway collisions. Motorcycle experts say the greatest danger posed to riders is motorists who aren’t expecting to see motorcycles out on the road after winter’s colder temperatures kept many bikes in the garage.

“Look Twice, Save a Life,” an advertising campaign focusing on motorcycle safety awareness, is becoming widespread across the United States through poster campaigns and other advertising measures.  The effort’s message, according to a campaign representative is that taking the time to double check the traffic conditions before pulling out onto the road. Being alert and aware of surroundings and conditions can help drivers and motorcyclists both avoid accidents and injuries.

The road conditions can also put motorcyclists in danger. Sand and other debris leftover from the winter freezes pose a safety risk.

Motorcyclists can avoid injuries by wearing protective apparel such as heavy jackets, long pants, this boots that cover the ankle, gloves, and most importantly a helmet meeting or exceeding federal safety guidelines. Novice motorcycle riders should take safety classes to learn the best methods for avoiding dangerous situations on the road, according to motorcycle safety advocates.

As a San Bernardino personal injury attorney, I hope that motorists and motorcyclists take the necessary steps to avoid being involved in automotive accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in a collision, please consider hiring a car accident attorney in San Bernardino.