Our law firm recently settled a motorcycle case in Russell County, Alabama. This is a prime example of why it’s necessary for motorcyclists to keep a good lookout.
Our client was riding his motorcycle through a neighborhood subdivision in Phenix City. The road was straight and our client was able to see a passenger car in a driveway up ahead. Our client was only traveling at 35 miles per hour, but he made the mistake of assuming the driver of the car saw him. As he was near the driveway, the car backed out in front of him. Our client was forced to take evasive action to avoid impact with the car. He was able to keep from hitting the car, but the resulting accident totaled his motorcycle and caused him some serious physical injury requiring surgery.
Remember, motorcyclists should never assume that drivers of cars and trucks have seen and identified the motorcyclist.
Our firm obtained a good result for this client.
It is important for motorcyclists to remember most car and truck drivers don’t ride motorcycles. With that said, these drivers typically don’t keep a proper lookout for motorcyclists. Because of the lack of attention given to motorcyclists, it is necessary for motorcyclists to be on the lookout and exercise extreme caution when operating their motorcycle. To protect yourself from accidents, wear appropriate suits.
There are more people in the United States riding motorcycles than ever before and accidents keep moving up the scale. According to the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 7.1 million motorcycles registered in the United States in 2007. In 2008, motor vehicle crash-related deaths in the United States involving cars and light trucks reached an all-time low. At the same time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcyclist deaths reached an all-time high, and more than doubled between 1999 and 2008, lately, there are more motorcycle accident cases that require a motorcycle accident attorney.
Safety Tips for Riders:
- Always wear a DOT-approved helmet.
- Never ride your motorcycle after drinking.
- Wear protective clothing that provides some level of injury prevention (upper body clothing should also include bright colors or reflective materials to increase visibility).
- Avoid tailgating.
- Maintain a safe speed and exercise caution.
If you, a family member or a friend have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact us for a free legal case review.