Motorcyclists Must Ride Defensively
Brian O Sutter
Traffic Accidents
Florida is one of the more ideally located states in the country when it comes to weather. A combination of being one of the southernmost states and having incredible access to the ocean makes our part of the USA one of the most inviting. all year round. We have tropical weather, and some of the most scenic landscape in the country, as well as great attractions and bustling urban centers.However, for motorcyclist, Florida presents a double-edged sword. That warm, year-round weather means that motorcyclists here never have to put their vehicles away for part of the year. But this also means that there are many cars on the road at all times of the year, and this constantly puts motorcyclists at risk.
More Exposure Means More Vulnerability
The sad truth is, even though the motorcyclists choose to ride these vehicles for recreational purposes, to feel more “in synch” with the environment, and not feel separated from it, by the passenger cabin of a car, this increases the danger to motorcyclists. Not only are motorcyclists more vulnerable to actual physical damage, due to a lack of seatbelts, air bags or other protective devices, the smaller size of a motorcycle can make this vehicle harder to spot on the road.
Sadly, in the majority of cases involving a motorcycle accident, not only does the rider suffer far more damage in a collision than an automobile driver, it’s usually the driver at fault for the accident, with the excuse, “I didn’t see that motorcycle” as the primary reason given for the collision.
Alertness At All Times
This means that for motorcycle enthusiasts, an extra level of high alertness must be maintained when on a road with other cars are present. Other cars may change lanes, make turns or other actions on the road that act as if the motorcyclist isn’t there. And if you, as a rider of a motorcycle, are not prepared to react to these sudden driving changes, you’ll be on the losing end of the battle of physics when a motorcycle makes contact with a car.
As unfair as it may be, motorcyclists always get injured more severely in these vehicular confrontations, even when it is not the rider’s fault. The only way to safely avoid this is to always drive much more defensively when there are automobiles in the vicinity. Of course, if it’s just you and the road, normal road alertness is all that’s required, and you can take your time to enjoy your ride on Florida’s roads.
But once you’re in that situation where other cars are about, treat them like the enemy, and be prepared to react at a moment’s notice. You may be obeying all the traffic laws, but if that other driver doesn’t know you’re there, and moves into your lane, your right of way will mean nothing once the vehicular impact occurs. And if that should happen, you’ll need the help of a dedicated accident lawyer to guide you through your motorcycle accident case in court, should you decide to sue for personal injury.