Experienced riders know how dangerous traveling in blind spots can be. While all drivers are susceptible to getting in an accident when they are not seen in the mirrors of other drivers, motorcyclists are in particular danger due to the limited protection around them. It is important to understand these dangers and how to avoid them.

What Are Blind Spots?

Blind spots are any locations where other drivers may have difficulty seeing you because you are not in their mirrors. These spots may extend more than the length of the vehicle.

In addition to blind spots, there are also “death spots,” which are any locations directly beside a vehicle. If a driver swerves or changes lanes without looking, he or she can hit the motorcyclist.

How Can I Avoid Blind Spots?

Fortunately, there are many ways that you can avoid blind spots and minimize the risk of being hit in an accident of this nature.

First, recognize when you are in a blind spot. If you cannot see the driver’s face in the vehicle’s mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Try to travel behind a vehicle in a position where you are seen in the driver’s mirrors. If you have to pass, do so quickly. Travel as far to the side of the lane as is safe to do so in order to avoid other nearby vehicles.

Experienced riders recommend taking alternative action to avoid being in a deadly blind spot, including temporarily speeding or riding full throttle if doing so will get you out of this precarious position.

The Florida Department of Transportation recommends the following safety tips to motorcyclists:

• Increase visibility by wearing bright colors.
• Wear appropriate riding gear and an FDOT-compliant helmet.
• Ride within personal and legal limits.
• Inspect your vehicle before each ride to check for safety.

Rely on your bike’s details to increase safety, such as using your horn when necessary or equipping your bike with reflectors. Also, use hand signals to indicate your intentions so that other drivers pay attention to these cues.

What Do I Do If Someone Else Hit Me While in a Blind Spot?

All motorists have a duty to look out for other drivers on the road, including motorcyclists. If you were injured because another driver did not keep a proper lookout, you may be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages and property damage that you suffered.

The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Lampariello Law Group have the experience and resources to recover the compensation you need and deserve after a serious motorcycle accident.

Contact us online or call us at (954) 682-3579 to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and many motorcyclists across the state have taken part in safety awareness events, including a “Can You See Me Now” ride intended to remind drivers to look twice, then look again.

Many motorcycle accidents occur when other motorists fail to see motorcycles due to their smaller size and narrower profile.

The Leading Cause of Motorcycle Accidents

In Florida, failing to see approaching motorcycles is a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Florida has the second highest per capita population of motorcyclists in the United States, second only to California. Part of this is due to the nice weather that allows riders to ride every season of the year. However, the Florida Highway Patrol reports that Florida has some of the highest numbers of motorcycle accidents in the country.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, approximately 9,500 crashes occurred in 2017, resulting in the death of 611 people. The number of fatalities is disproportionate to the number of bikers: Motorcycles represent 7 percent of licensed drivers in the state while accounting for 20 percent of motor-vehicle fatalities.

Motorcycle Awareness Programs for Road Safety

For Motorcycle Awareness Month, many group rides were arranged. Experienced bikers talked about the importance of constantly looking ahead and being aware of your surroundings in case you need an escape route. Bikers who travel in large groups help increase their visibility. Some events began with safety training and teaching up to 23 hand signals so that bikers could communicate with each other.

In other events, riders discussed the importance of helmets and safety clothing. Although bikers in Florida can choose not to wear a helmet, they are required to wear safety goggles, and helmets are highly recommended to prevent fatalities. Some bikers discussed the importance of receiving adequate training on the bike they intend to ride since sometimes bikers will take the required safety training course for a smaller, lighter bike but then ride a larger bike that may be more difficult to handle.

Riders are also encouraged not to be distracted while riding a motorcycle because the consequences can be deadly. Bikers are also encouraged not to drink and drive, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 43 percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle accidents in 2014 were impaired by alcohol.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer for Assistance

Despite how safe you may try to be, motorcycle accidents may still occur. If you are hurt in a motorcycle accident or you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, it is important that you have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.

The motorcycle accident lawyers at LLG can help you pursue a claim against the negligent party for the full extent of damages that you have suffered. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Motorcyclists love the feel of the open road, but they must acknowledge that this mode of travel does come with increased safety risks.

If injured in a motorcycle accident, you may suffer catastrophic injuries like paralysis or severe road rash. Many accidents occur when a rider loses traction during a turn, resulting in a low-side crash.

The German manufacturer Bosch Group is developing technology that is designed to help riders recover from a slide and prevent these types of crashes. The solution is based on using jet thrusters.

Better Technology for Safer Roads

The innovative solution is part of the company’s sliding mitigation research project. One or both tires may lose traction during a turn because of debris or other hazards on the roadway, such as wet leaves, gravel or an oil spill. If this occurs, the wheels may begin to slip sideways.

To stabilize the bike, it is necessary to apply external lateral force, which is the concept that supports the company’s research. A sensor detects when the wheel starts to slip sideways.

Then, thrusters are used to push the vehicle in the opposite direction of the slide similar to a reaction control system in a spacecraft. Gas from a gas accumulator like that used in an airbag is vented in a specific direction through the use of a nozzle. The reverse thrust helps get the bike back on track, and the tires resume traction and control.

The system is designed to prevent the motorcycle from falling onto its side when it is in a leaning position.

However, the system is still in experimental stages. The system can only be used one time and then requires a replacement. Still, the technology offers a promising solution to an age-old problem and may help prevent motorcycle accidents in the future.

Contact LLG for Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you believe that someone else’s careless actions led to your motorcycle accident, contact a Lampariello Law Group attorney. Our experienced Florida motorcycle accident lawyers can conduct an investigation to determine if the other driver involved in your accident was acting in a careless manner, such as by texting and driving, driving while impaired, speeding, or driving in an aggressive manner.

We fight for your right to full compensation after sustaining serious injuries in a motorcycle accident. From the moment you contact our firm, we work diligently on your case. We gather information necessary to support your claim and identify the full extent of the damages you have suffered because of the accident.

We are committed to protecting your rights after being injured by a careless driver. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to learn about your right to recovery.

Preliminary estimates indicate that nearly 40,000 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2017. Of these, approximately 14 percent represent motorcycle accident victims. More than 90 percent of crashes are caused by human error, making them completely preventable.

If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, your injuries will likely be severe given the limited protection that you have around you. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents and ways to prevent them include:

1. Not Following Right of Way Rules

Many motorcycle accidents occur when motorists – whether drivers of passenger cars or bikes – fail to follow the proper rules of the road. Drivers may run red lights or fail to yield, causing an accident in the process. A common situation involving motorcycle accident victims involves making a left-hand turn when the motorist does not yield to an oncoming motorist who is traveling straight through the intersection. Carefully following the rules of the road may help prevent these types of accidents.

2. Being in Blind Spots

Motorcyclists only make up three percent of all registered vehicles in the country. Quite simply, other motorists are not expecting them and often do not keep a proper lookout for them. Motorcyclists can try to avoid being hit by an inattentive driver by staying out of their blind spots and being particularly cautious when driving to the side of another vehicle or when passing. Motorcyclists can also increase their visibility by wearing bright colors.

3. Not Adjusting Speed

Speeding plays a contributing role in many fatal motorcycle accidents, being present in approximately one-third of fatal accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcyclists must remember that speed limits are intended to be the maximum speeds. Additionally, motorcyclists must be even more vigilant than other drivers to adjust speed for road or weather conditions. A pothole, loose patch of gravel or slick roadway can be deadly for motorcyclists. A common mistake by inexperienced motorcyclists is to take corners too quickly. Slowing down in these situations can help save your life.

4. Lane Sharing

Lane sharing involves weaving in between slow-moving or parked vehicles. It can also consist of two bikers occupying the same space intended for one vehicle. Because other drivers are not expecting drivers this close, they may not see them. Avoiding this practice can help reduce your risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident. 

Contact Us for Help

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, an experienced personal injury attorney at Lampariello Law Group can help.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation to learn about your legal options and whether you can pursue a claim to seek compensation for your injuries.