Personal Injury Law

After 36 Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Deaths in 2008, Safety Awareness Month is a Good Time to Remind Boston Motorcyclists and Other Motorists that They "Share the Roads"

By Altman & Altman

The month of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month in the United States. This is a time to remind Boston motorcyclists and motor vehicle riders that they share the roads with each other and that both groups are responsible for taking the necessary precautions to prevent Massachusetts motorcycle accidents from happening.

There are about 180,000 people licensed to ride motorcycles in Massachusetts. Last year, there were 36 motorcycle deaths in the state. While drivers of cars, trucks, and buses have their gripes against riders, accusing them of speeding and not taking the necessary safety precautions to prevent motorcycle accidents from happening, motorcyclists have expressed their own frustrations, including the sentiment that they don?t think other drivers treat them like they would other motorists, with the same driving privileges and rights.

Massachusetts motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries for the motorcyclist, who is always at a disadvantage whenever he or she is in a traffic collision?whether alone or with another motor vehicle. One reason for this is that a rider has nothing but protective clothing and gear to cushion the impact of being in a catastrophic motorcycle crash. This is a good time to contact an experienced Boston motorcycle accident law firm to explore your legal options about obtaining financial recovery from all negligent parties.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Regardless of who may be at fault and why, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a time to remind both motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers that they ?Share the Road.? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following reminders for preventing motorcycle accidents. The suggestions are intended to keep motorcyclists and other drivers safe while preventing motor vehicle crashes:

? Motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers have the same driving rights and privileges.
? Drivers: Remember that motorcycles are not as easy to spot as their larger motor vehicle counterparts, so be on the lookout for them and remember that it is harder to gauge how far away they are or how fast they may be approaching. Check your blind spots.

? Motorcyclists: Make yourself as visible as possible. Wear protective clothing and stay out of other drivers' blind spots.
? Give each other the full lane width. Don't try to share this space with each other.
? Signal to indicate any lane changes or merging.
? Drivers: Give motorcycles the extra room they may need to maneuver potential road hazards, such as potholes, wet surfaces, gravel, and grooved pavements.
? Motorcyclists: Give yourself the space you need to ride safely.

New Advancement In Motorcycle Safety, CBS 3, May 7, 2009

NHTSA

Related Web Resources:
Massachusetts Rider Education Program, RMV

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Full post as published by Boston Injury Lawyer Blog on May 21, 2009 (boomark / email).