Common Safety Myths Can Cause More Harm than Good to Motorcyclists

April 07, 2011 (Press-News.org) There are many misunderstandings circulating about the best ways for motorcycle riders to avoid being involved in accidents with other cars. In some cases, these myths about motorcycle accidents can do more harm than good -- and put motorcyclists' lives at risk.

Motorcycle riders are eight times more likely than those in passenger vehicles to be seriously injured in an accident and 35 times more likely to die in an accident. With these statistics in mind, it is important for motorcyclists to know the best ways to protect their safety - and what legal options they have when someone else harms them.

The Problem of Not "Seeing" Motorcycle Riders

Despite public perception, the most common cause of motorcycle accidents is not motorcycle riders, but other drivers. Two-thirds of all collisions between motorcyclists and passenger vehicles are caused by the passenger vehicle driver. These accidents usually happen when the passenger vehicle fails to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist or the driver doesn't see the motorcyclist and hits him or her.

One of the ways that some motorcyclists try to compensate for drivers who cannot see them is to make sure that they can hear them. There is a myth that the louder the bike, the safer the rider will be because cars will hear it coming. The problem, however, is that the noise is carried to the rear of the motorcycle so that vehicles in front of the rider - and those who are most likely not to see the rider and cause the accident - will not benefit from a loud bike.

There are much more effective ways to ensure that motorists see motorcycles than to modify the bike's exhaust system. For example, motorcyclists can wear bright colors to draw attention to themselves. They also can try to avoid other motorists' blind spots and to increase the following distance between themselves and other vehicles whenever possible.

Other Common Safety Myths

Some of the other common safety myths that can hurt motorcyclists include:

- Motorcyclists who know what they are doing won't get hurt. There is no amount of training or experience that can prevent all accidents from occurring. Motorcyclists cannot and will never be able to control the actions of other drivers, no matter how defensively or cautiously they operate their bikes.

- One or two drinks will be ok. Even one drink is too many before riding a motorcycle. In New York in 2007, 26 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents had blood alcohol content over the legal limit and another 37 percent had a BAC over 0.01%, or the equivalent of one drink. Add in the stiff penalties New York imposes on drunk drivers and it really isn't worth the risk to have a drink before riding.

- It's better to stay off the interstate. Many believe that it is safer to ride their motorcycles on city streets where the speed limit is lower rather than on the interstate where traffic moves along at 70 miles per hour or more. But most motorcycle accidents - and fatalities - do not happen on the interstate. Motorcyclists are actually safer on interstates because the traffic is all moving in one direction and there are no side streets, driveways or intersections, minimizing the opportunity for other drivers to hit them.

- Helmets cause injuries. The effectiveness of motorcycle helmets is one of the most hotly debated issues among motorcyclists. Some believe that helmets cause neck injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Others believe that they impair riders' ability to see and hear the traffic around them and still others believe that helmets will not protect them if they are in an accident at high speeds. Research has shown that helmeted riders survive more accidents than those who do not wear one, but even this research is controversial. Regardless of a motorcycle rider's views on helmet use, New York law requires all riders to wear them. Those who violate the law may be fined up to $100 and/or required to spend up to 30 days in jail.

Your Legal Options Following a Motorcycle Accident

Regardless of how safe a motorcycle rider is, there is nothing he or she can do to stop a negligent driver from causing an accident. However, there is something a motorcyclist can do after the accident - speak with an attorney.

Motorcycle riders can suffer serious and life-threatening injuries when they are hit by careless drivers, including head injuries, brain injuries, neck and back injuries, paralysis, amputations, fractures and soft tissue injuries. When a negligent driver causes these or other types of injuries, he or she should be held legally accountable.

An attorney experienced in representing motorcycle accident victims can help the injured motorcyclist file a civil claim against the responsible driver. Some of the types of compensation that may be available in a civil lawsuit include past, current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and costs to repair or replace the motorcycle.

For more information on your legal options following a motorcycle accident, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer today.

Article provided by Proner & Proner 3
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