With spring around the corner, a refresher course on NC motorcycle safety

Taking safety precautions can help prevent North Carolina motorcycle accidents.

2013-03-09

March 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Winter is slowly losing its icy grip on the country. Spring is right around the corner, and the warmer temperatures will again herald the call for North Carolina motorcyclists to start dusting off their bikes. A refresher course on motorcycle safety now, before motorcyclists are out en masse, might help prevent some of the 4,000 fatal motorcycle accidents that happen across the nation annually.

Reasons for high fatality rates

To some, motorcycles equate to freedom: freedom to feel the wind on your face, smell the fresh breeze or enjoy the warmth of the sun on your back. Clearly, motorcycles do offer a kinship with the road that is hard to achieve in a car. That freedom comes with a high price, though.

Because of the lack of a support structure, motorcycle riders are much more likely to be injured in an accident, even if helmets and other protective gear are properly worn. Injuries range from the life-threatening - like traumatic brain injuries - to relatively minor - so-called "road rash" caused by scraping the pavement. Broken bones are also common in motorcycle accidents since there are no airbags or roll cages to offer protection.

The injuries can be much more severe if another, larger vehicle is involved. The added weight of a car or truck can easily crush a motorcyclist trapped in an accident's wreckage.

Knowledge is power

Knowing some of the key differences between motorcycles and automobiles can literally save the life of a motorcyclist out enjoying the road.

For example, did you know that many motorcycle turn signals aren't "self-canceling," so the blinker may stay on even after a turn has been completed? Or that some motorcyclists primarily use downshifting to slow their bikes, and that the brake light wouldn't be engaged if that were the case? Assuming that the signal (or lack of a rear brake light) may be inadvertent and increasing the following distance behind a motorcycle on the road can prevent a potentially catastrophic accident.

Perhaps most importantly, though, is that car and truck drivers simply remember to look for motorcyclists as the weather warms up again. Clearly, the issue isn't as pressing during the colder months, but once the heat and humidity return, motorcyclists will again flock to North Carolina highways.

Getting help

Sadly, when an automobile collides with a motorcycle, there are usually injuries, and they are usually severe. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another motorist (or motorcyclist) or the flawed design of a North Carolina roadway, seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to learn more about your legal rights and options you may have to hold the negligent party accountable.

Article provided by Britton Law, P.A.
Visit us at www.brittonlawfirm.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Pennsylvania addresses distracted driving issues

2013-03-09

Distracted driving continues to be a serious issue across the United States. The practice involves the diversion of one's attention from the road or the task of driving. According to Distraction.gov, 3,331 individuals lost their lives in car accidents involving a distracted motorist in 2011. Moreover, an additional 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by inattentive drivers that same year. Unfortunately, the problem keeps growing. If performed while operating a vehicle, the following activities constitute inattentive driving: - Adjusting the radio ...

Aging tires may be to blame in a Missouri rollover accident

2013-03-09

How old are your tires? Many do not readily know the answer to that question. Even a set of tires bought to replace aging threadbare tires could be older than assumed. A recent news investigation found that the key to uncovering tire age is looking for a Department of Transportation four-digit code stamped on every tire that lists the week and year of manufacture. For example, a tire with the code 1503 was made the 15th week of 2003 and is about 10 years old. Tires that are older than 6 years can be dangerous according to safety experts. Driving on old tires can greatly ...

Many Americans on verge of financial collapse, report says

2013-03-09

The economic difficulties of recent years have affected Americans in many different ways. On one hand, many of those who were lucky enough to keep their jobs were relatively unscathed. However, many fared much worse. The plight of this group was recently echoed by a report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development. According to the report, about 43.9 percent of U.S. households are on the brink of financial collapse. The report found that this group of people is "liquid asset poor," meaning that this group of Americans does not have enough money to live ...

Who keeps the home: Property division in a Minnesota divorce

2013-03-09

The largest asset for many couples is the equity in their home. This amount fluctuates with the housing market. During the recent housing market collapse, it became a case of apportioning losses and many divorcing couples lost their homes to foreclosure, if neither could afford payments. As the housing market rebounds in the Twin Cities, separating couples are in better position of splitting positive equity. The Pioneer Press reports that the median sales price in the 13-county metro area rose to $160,000 in January, which is 14.3 percent higher than a year ago. As the ...

Moving past your divorce

2013-03-09

Before two people decide to get married, they will often discuss some of the plans that they have for the future, to be sure that they are both on the same page. They may discuss whether or not they want to have children, and where they want to live. This clear communication can help the couple move forward, and begin making plans for the rest of their lives together. However, we all know that not every marriage will work out. Many couples give very little thought to what will happen in the event that the marriage ends in divorce. They try everything they can to make ...

Driving Safely in the Snow

2013-03-09

Many Colorado outdoors enthusiasts love a fresh coat of powdery snow for their activities., stalled vehicles and motor vehicle accidents can all result from the difficulties of driving on snowy roads that lack friction, but you can reduce the chances of being in an accident by following some safe driving practices. Preparation and Driving Safe driving begins even before your car leaves the driveway. The Colorado Department of Transportation recommends that you find out the road conditions before you leave. Clear off snow from your vehicle and your headlights, so that ...

Celebrities prove that when it comes to DUIs, no one is bulletproof

2013-03-09

Some days, it seems like it's almost impossible to turn on the news or open a newspaper without reading a provocative headline -- complete with a not-so-glamorous mug shot -- about some star's DUI charge. The latest in a long string of celebrity DUI arrests One of the latest famous faces to hit the news with a DUI arrest was actor Thomas Gibson. The 50-year-old is most famous for his role as Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner in the hit television serious Criminal Minds. Gibson's character is a tough boss who rarely shows any chinks in his armor to the special agents who work ...

Severe car crashes and the steps to recovery

2013-03-09

New Yorkers have their Metro Cards. Denizens of Los Angeles have their cars. But while New Yorkers have other means of transportation, many Angelenos would be lost without their wheels, given the sprawl of their city and limited public transportation options. It's no surprise that in a city known for its endless traffic jams, car accidents -- and injuries -- are inevitable. But what stands out about one accident recently reported in a local college newspaper is the seriousness of the injuries sustained a freshman business major in a car crash on Interstate-5. Student ...

New exception allows texting and driving in California

2013-03-09

Since 2008, drivers in California have been prohibited from using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. The single exception has been that drivers 18 years of age and older are allowed to use a hands-free device. The following year, the California Wireless Communications Device Law prohibited drivers from writing, sending or reading text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device, such as a cell phone, while driving. This law took effect on January 1, 2009. Exactly four years later, on January 1, 2013, an exception to this texting and ...

Attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm Secure Favorable Result for Seminole County Firefighter

2013-03-09

After a four-day trial at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, Florida, Attorneys Lindsey Gergely and Chris Kaigle with The Umansky Law Firm received an acquittal of all charges for their client, former Seminole County Firefighter/ EMT Dean Erlandson. Mr. Erlandson was brought to trial on four very serious charges: aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault with a knife, false imprisonment, and domestic violence battery. Late Friday afternoon, March 1, 2012, to a packed courtroom, the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty as to all counts. Dean ...

One of the largest studies on preterm birth finds a maternal biomarker test significantly reduces neonatal morbidities and improves neonatal outcomes

One of the largest studies of its kind finds early intervention with iron delivered intravenously during pregnancy is a safe and effective treatment for anemia

With spring around the corner, a refresher course on NC motorcycle safety

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: