It's finally Spring in Missouri and Springfield motorcycle riders are hitting the highways. Springfield personal injury lawyers urge all motorcycle riders to use continue to wear a helmet. Study after study has shown helmet use saves lives and cuts dramatically cuts down on traumatic brain injury caused by motorcycle accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that motorcycle helmets saved 1,784 lives across the country in 2007.
Although motorcycle fatalities dropped two percent in 2010 from the previous year, the rates of injuries and deaths are still too high. As Springfield motorcycle accident attorneys, we hope to see a greater standard of safety on the roads for all Missouri drivers, including of course the citizens of Nixa, Ozark, Branson, Bolivar and all other Greene County cities and towns.
Motorcycle accidents stem from both user error and lack of caution from drivers of other vehicles. Although in sports, the best defense is a good offense, motorcycle riding is not a sport! The best defense on the highway is always, always, always to stay alert and respect not just the laws but all other drivers on the road. In the spirit of safety, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. challenge all Springfield drivers this spring and summer season to up your game!
Tips to Avoid Springfield Motorcycle Accidents:
1. Please think of a motorcycle in motion as a person, not a vehicle, and act with caution and consideration for their vulnerability. A car provides much more protection in case of a traffic accident.
2. Never "share" a lane with a motorcycle - they are legally entitled to their own lane
3. Because of a motorcycle's small size, it may look farther away than it is. Always assume the motorbike is closer than it looks to avoid motorcycle accidents.
4. Motorcycles are hard to spot, also because of their size, so as the weather warms up--be on the look out for them, particularly at intersections.
5. Many motorcycle accidents occur because cyclists slow down by downshifting and don't use a brake light. To avoid hitting a motorcyclist, allow 3-4 seconds of following distance. Don't tailgate a motorcycle.
6. Bikers often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to stray clear of road debris, passing cars, and wind. Understand that these position shifts aren't to be reckless, show off, or allow you to share a lane with them.
Springfield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will post tips for all Greene County motorcycle riders to ride defensively and avoid motorcycle wrecks--so stay tuned and stay safe this motorcycle riding season.
(Springfield Motorcycle Accident Attorney meetings by appointment only.)