Car Accident Attorney Tips for Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists

Spring is in the air, and that means that more and more people are bringing out their motorcycles.  As motorcyclists flood the roads and motorcycle traffic adds up, it is incredibly important that drivers and motorcyclists alike engage in safe driving practices. Car accident attorneys will be the first to tell you that motorcycle and vehicle crashes are a huge problem. In 2015, 59 percent of motorcycle deaths occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes. Sixty percent of these deaths occurred from May to September, with fatalities peaking in July. At the Aranda Law Firm, we want to help you keep the roads safe and accident-free. Here are a few important reminders from a car accident attorney about sharing the road with motorcyclists.

Maintain Awareness

The most important thing that automobile drivers can do is maintain awareness while they drive. It only takes a second of distracted driving to swerve or make a negligent decision. Do everything you can to stay engaged while you are driving, even if that means eliminating extra noise from the radio.

Leave a Buffer Zone

We know that we shouldn’t tailgate other vehicles, but this is an especially important reminder while driving behind motorcycles. Motorcycles have a quicker stopping distance than cars, and they are much less protected than automobile drivers. What may just be a minor rear end with another car can be a major accident with a motorcyclist.

Another reason to allow motorcyclists space is that they often need to swerve along the road to miss potholes and other road debris. While they try to do this safely, automobile drivers must give them enough space to do so! Give yourself extra cushion distance when driving around motorcycles.

Check Your Blind Spots

Unchecked blind spots are probably the number one reason for accidents involving both motorcycles and cars. It is easy to miss motorcycles in your blind spots if you aren’t careful.  Take your time before merging devote time to searching each of your car’s blind spots before changing lanes.

Turn Cautiously

Vehicles turning in front of motorcycles is the number one cause of fatal accidents for motorcycle riders. When approaching an intersection and making a left turn, double check to make sure that lane is free from motorcyclists! If people were more cautious with their turns, most motorcycle fatalities would be prevented.

A Car Accident Attorney Takes Personal Injuries Seriously

At Aranda Law Firm, we take personal injuries seriously. Whether you have chronic whiplash from an automobile/motorcycle collision or have been injured in another type of car accident, a car accident attorney is equipped to help. As spring weather comes onto the scene and motorcycle begin coming out, don’t forget to follow these important tips. And if you have questions about a personal injury claim related to a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact our El Paso office today!