May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

April 4, 2018 | Motorcycle Accidents

As the weather warms up this spring, more and more motorcyclists will dust off their bikes and take to the streets throughout Indiana and the rest of the county. While motorcyclists can make themselves as safe as possible while riding, it is also important to remind other motorists to share the road and remain on the lookout for motorcyclists.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Fountain Law Firm encourages motorcyclists and drivers to do their part to prevent devastating motorcycle accidents that often leave victims struggling with injuries for the rest of their lives.

Drivers: Share the Road with Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists take up much less space than other vehicles on the road and, as a result, often do not get the space to which they are entitled. Remember that motorcycles have the same privileges and rights as cars or trucks, and drivers need to treat them accordingly. This means not following them too closely, yielding the right of way (when appropriate), and staying out of their lanes, just to name a few examples.

Riders: Make Your Trip as Safe as Possible

While increasing driver awareness of motorcycle safety will certainly reduce the overall risk of motorcycle accidents, you cannot reduce this risk to zero. As a result, motorcyclists should take safety precautions every time they ride. Some of the most important of these include:

• Indiana law only requires those under 18 or with an instructional permit to wear helmets. However, wearing a DOT compliant helmet decreases your risk of a head injury.
• Wear brightly colored clothing or otherwise make yourself visible. Drivers can’t avoid an accident if they can’t see you.
• Make sure that your bike is appropriate for your skill level and experience.
• Use your turn signals for every lane change or turn, even if you think you have the road to yourself.
• Never drink and ride.
• Follow all traffic laws.
• Take a Ride Safe Indiana-approved motorcycle safety training course.

What to Do if You Are Injured in an Accident

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are bound to happen. If you find yourself the victim of a motorcycle crash, take the following steps to protect your rights:

• Stay at the scene of the accident and, if you can, exchange information with the drivers involved.
• Undergo a thorough medical evaluation after your accident and follow all treatment recommendations and attend all follow-appointments.
• Do NOT accept any settlement offers made by the insurance company or the other party or parties to the accident without reviewing them with an experienced attorney.
• Retain a lawyer as soon as you can. Remember, the sooner you retain an attorney, the sooner you can focus on what’s really important—your physical and emotional recovery.

If you have sustained injuries as a passenger in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to consult with an Indianapolis motorcycle accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.

Call Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation on Your Motorcycle Accident Injury

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for an injury law attorney in the greater Indy area—Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon—she’s here to help! You can call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click Tell Us About Your Case for a free consultation.