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Motorcycle Safety Awareness in Virginia Prevents Accidents Year-Round

Though motorcycle awareness month in Virginia wrapped up in May it is important to keep the message alive. Motorcycles are everywhere, yet cars, trucks and other vehicles do not give them the room they need or check for their presence in traffic.

Virginia Motorcycle Accidents and Drowsy Driving

We’ve all heard the warning that “speed kills”.  As a motorcycle rider, you’ve probably heard more than your fair share of lectures on the dangers of speeding on a motorbike, especially if you have a sleeker, faster sport bike.  What you may not have heard as much about is the danger of drowsy driving.

 

What is drowsy driving?  It is operating a motor vehicle when you are too mentally or physically tired to focus adequate attention on driving.  Driving while tired, much like driving while intoxicated, can reduce reaction times, impair judgment, and lead to serious or even fatal collisions.

 

When it comes to motorcycle wrecks, you have to worry about your own state of mind and also the state of mind of other road users.  Truckers, car drivers, pickup truck drivers, bus drivers, and all other kinds of road users can get behind the wheel when they are really too tired to safely drive.

 

What does this mean for you?  It means that you can be hurt – badly – if a tired driver doesn’t notice you or isn’t paying attention because they are fatigued.  And it means that you can make critical errors or not react quickly enough to a road hazard if you’re tired.

 

No matter what the circumstances, no rider deserves to be hurt in a motorcycle crash.  There are often many factors that go into an accident, and fatigue can be a major contributing factor or just one small part of it.  If you or someone you know is suffering because of a motorcycle wreck, please talk to a lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accident cases – it could make a huge difference in the success of your case.

The risks of serious head trauma in a motorcycle accident

Whether you wear a helmet or not, head injuries are one of the biggest risks in serious motorcycle accidents.  In fact, head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents.  If you chose not to wear a helmet, you are 40% more likely to suffer a fatal brain injury in an accident and 15% more likely to sustain a non-fatal head injury.

 

The effect of head trauma on motorcycle riders involved in accidents is a major concern for two reasons.  First of all, the injuries themselves can be quite severe, if not fatal.  Brain injuries can result in memory loss, loss of coordination, seizures, and an inability to continue to work or pursue hobbies.

 

If the physical effects are not bad enough, there are also the costs associated with a serious motorcycle head injury to consider.  Treating injured bikers in a hospital can be quite costly, and the injury may require ongoing care or therapy that over time can add up to a staggering amount.  If you’ve been seriously injured in a Virginia motorcycle accident, then you should consider speaking to an experienced attorney at Tavss Fletcher about what compensation you’ll need to move on with your life.

 

Read more about motorcycle head injuries in our library article, “Motorcycle accidents and serious head trauma” and review facts about motorcycle accidents in “Motorcycle Accident Injury and Fatality Facts”.

Five quick tips for staying safe on two wheels

We’re all being pinched by ridiculously high gas prices right now, and with no relief in sight many drivers are looking for ways to save a buck or two.  For those who downsize from a car or truck to a motorcycle, the savings can be huge.  Motorcycles average about 56 miles per gallon (mpg) and aren’t that expensive to buy – a decent model can cost just about $4,000.

 

However, consider this: safety experts are noticing a rise in motorcycle accidents not only in our region but across the country, as more inexperienced riders take to the roads.  To help you stay safe if you’ve recently made the switch to a motorcycle, here are five quick tips for staying safe on two wheels:

1. Take safety seriously – motorcycle riding is dangerous, and you need to ride carefully and be constantly aware of what’s going on around you.
2. Take motorcycle safety classes – this is very important for new riders or those who haven’t been on two wheels in a while.
3. Get a valid license – the licensing process is intended to keep you – and those around you – safe.  Don’t think you can get away with skipping this important step.
4. Wear protective gear – always wear a helmet with eye and face protection, and don reflective clothing when driving in conditions with limited visibility.
5. Watch your speed – a leading cause of motorcycle accidents is excessive speed.  Yes, its great fun to ride your motorcycle – but don’t let it go to your head.

 

One last thing to look out for if you’ve become the proud new owner of a high-performance sport bike – these bikes are resulting in an alarming number of serious accidents and fatalities, especially in our region.  Check out our law library article, “Are High-Performance Sport Bikes Causing Deadly Motorcycle Accidents?” for more information.