Each time you get behind the wheel, you have a responsibility to drive in a way that promotes the safety of yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road. This includes remembering that, as compared to cars, motorcycles are more difficult to see and offer far less protection for those operating them. In honor of May being Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, our Bucks County motorcycle accident attorney would like to highlight a few important precautions that every driver should take to help make the roads as safe as possible for motorcycle riders:
- Never go into a motorcycle’s lane – Motorcycles may be smaller than cars, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to venture into the same lane as one. To prevent incidents, never merge into a motorcyclist’s lane – to pass them or for any other reason. Instead, leave motorbikes as much space on the road as you would any other vehicle.
- Maintain a slightly larger following distance than normal – When driving behind a motorcycle, our Bucks County motorcycle accident lawyer recommends adding a few seconds to your following distance. The reason for this is that motorcyclists often downshift instead of braking to slow down, so you may not always be alerted by brake lights when a cyclist is decreasing their speed. Thus, keeping a greater following distance is key to make sure you have enough time and space to slow down and stop when they do.
- Remember that most motorcycles lack self-cancelling turn signals – When you encounter a motorcycle with a flashing turn signal, keep in mind that the rider may not actually be planning to make a turn. It could be that the cyclist forgot to manually turn the signal off after their last turn, so watch their actions carefully to determine if they will proceed straight or turn.
- Use extra caution if you drive a large vehicle – It’s essential for any driver to check and double-check their mirrors and blind spots before switching lanes. However, those operating trucks and SUVs need to be especially careful when merging, as these vehicles tend to have larger blind spots than others.
During spring and summer, you can expect to encounter more motorcyclists as you drive. Taking this advice from our motorcycle accident attorney in Bucks County will go a long way in helping you avoid being involved in a crash.
Gary Heslin Is a Reliable Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Bucks County
Unfortunately, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye even when you drive with the utmost care. In the event that you are injured in a motorcycle collision – whether as the driver of a car or motorcycle – obtaining the compensation you deserve can be tricky. To get the best possible results for your case, you will want to have a motorcycle accident attorney Bucks County trusts on your side.
With more than 30 years of experience in this particular area of law, Gary Heslin is a qualified choice for legal representation following a motorcycle accident. To schedule a case evaluation with him free of charge, call the Heslin Law Firm at (215) 332-0300. We are here to answer your questions and to provide the expert legal guidance your family needs as you navigate this trying time.