Sharing the Road with Motorcycles to Avoid Accidents

On any roadway, you can find a variety of vehicle types. Cars, passenger vans, personal and commercial trucks, buses, and motorcycles all use the same roadway despite their wildly different weights, handling styles, speeds, and capabilities. As a motorist, it is important that you keep these differences in mind at all times to share the road appropriately with each type of vehicle.

Keep the following tips in mind to reduce your chance of being involved in an accident with a motorcycle. Motorcycles offer their riders less protection than any other vehicle type, and their lower weights and different center of balance make them much more susceptible to certain accident hazards than other types of vehicle.

Give Motorcycles the Following Distance they Need

Under optimal conditions, you should give other cars two seconds’ worth of following distance. Motorcycles need three to four seconds of following distance because they can slow down without any visual indication of doing so and gauging their speed can be difficult because of their smaller size.

Check your Blind Spots

Motorcycles are much smaller than most passenger vehicles, and that means it is easier for a motorcycle to enter a larger vehicle’s blind spot. Before changing lanes, always double-check your car’s blind spots to make sure they are clear.

Be Wary of the Weather and Lighting Conditions

Motorcycles are more likely to be affected by roadway debris, high winds, and precipitation. During rainstorms and on windy days, give motorcycles a greater following distance than you would normally give them and be careful when passing and merging. Motorcyclists may adjust their positions in lanes frequently to avoid puddles and wind drag.

At night, the difficulties motorcyclists face are magnified because of the reduced visibility. When you are driving at night, always use your headlights and be extra cautious when merging, changing lanes, and sharing the roadway with motorcycles.

Be Especially Careful in Intersections

Sometimes, motorcyclists slow down without activating their brake lights. When approaching an intersection with a motorcycle, always be prepared for any move they might make. Remember that motorcycles have a different center of balance than larger vehicles and this can affect how they take turns. Always look both ways twice before making a left turn or crossing traffic lanes to make sure there are no motorcycles crossing your path.

Draper Law Office can Help you Pursue Compensation for your Motorcycle Accident Damages

If you are injured in a collision with a motorcycle or while you are riding your motorcycle, you could be entitled to recover monetary compensation for your personal injury damages. To learn more, schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a member of Draper Law Office today by visiting our firm online or calling us at 866-767-4711.