Motorcycle riders are some of the most vulnerable motorists on our roads. We’ve seen far too many motorcycle accidents, injuries and fatalities in recent weeks in the state of Massachusetts.
According to the Boston Globe, a 23-year-old rider died in a recent Merrimac accident. He was riding near the New Hampshire line when it happened. He was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the accident.
Wicked Local reports that another motorcyclist was injured while riding along Route 3A in another recent accident. This motorcyclist dies as they attempted to enter the Driftway roundabout. Accident reports indicate that the driver was passing cars and speeding when the incident happened.
Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers understand that motorcyclists have much less bodily protection that we do in passenger vehicles. Their risks for injuries and death in the event of an accident is thus much higher. Just look at the accident that happened in Ware. This is another in which we lost the life of a motorcyclist. According to ABC40, this one happened along Route 9.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 50 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents in the state of Massachusetts in 2011. And many of these accidents could have been prevented.
There’s nothing like the freedom and exhilaration of riding a motorcycle, but if you are not prepared it can be dangerous. Awareness of your limitations and your surroundings will help ensure a safe, enjoyable experience. Before you hit the open road, consider these motorcycle safety tips:
-Before you hop on and ride out, give your bike an inspection. Make sure the fluids are okay, the lights work properly and the tread on your tires is adequate.
-Make sure you’ve always got a helmet on. This is your number one defense against injury and death in the event of an accident. Your best bet is to use a U. S. Department of Transportation approved helmet. Remember that, in the state of Massachusetts, helmets are required by law.
-Always obey traffic laws.
-Stay out of the blind spots of other drivers. Rule of thumb: if you cannot see the driver, then the driver cannot see you.
-Make your riding maneuvers as predictable as possible. Always use a blinker and signal your maneuvers.
-Of all vehicles, motorcycles accelerate the fastest, while trucks and buses are the slowest. Please watch your speed around trucks, especially in bad weather or at night.
-Do not ride between the lanes, it is not safe nor is it legal to pass a vehicle within the same lane.
-Never ride under the influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 40 percent of motorcyclists who die in single-vehicle crashes were drunk at the time of the accident.
Call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, LLC (617) 777-7777 if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident to set up a free initial consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Motorcycle Accident on Mass Ave. Kills One, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, June 24, 2012
Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Boston and Elsewhere Up After Nationwide Auto Accident Decrease, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, May 31, 2012