There are many things drivers need to remember about motorcyclists and their vehicles. Those who aren’t careful around these motorists may cause accidents, and those negligent drivers can be held accountable by the victim and his or her attorney.
Drivers of passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles need to keep in mind that smaller vehicles like motorcycles can be hard to see on the roads. Motorcyclists don’t take up as much room on the road, and they can quickly fall into blind spots and areas where it’s hard to see that they’re nearby.
The truth is that most motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers; they’re usually unintentional, but that doesn’t make the situation any better. Fortunately, there are some things drivers can do to keep motorcyclists safer.
Taking extra time to look to the left before making a turn onto the road can help prevent accidents; motorcyclists can be harder to see, so taking time to take a good look down the lane can help identify moving objects. Motorcyclists often weave in their lanes to help make themselves more visible, so keep this in mind if you see someone moving from side to side in your lane, either ahead of or behind you.
Motorcycles can look like they’re further away than they are due to being small; this is an illusion that drivers need to be aware of. Instead of turning in front of a motorcyclist who seems to be far enough away, waiting until the motorcyclist passes can help prevent an accident.
When following motorcyclists, it’s important for drivers to avoid driving too close to the bike. Following too closely may mean there’s not enough time to stop in an emergency, and that can result in a life-threatening accident.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation, “Quick Tips: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles,” accessed Feb. 12, 2016
