Each year, the warmer weather of spring brings out motorcyclists that had put their bikes away for the cold, snowy winter months. In light of the COVID-19 restrictions, bikers are even more likely to get out and go for a ride on their motorcycles. After being cooped up for much of both March and April, the recent good weather provides the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy some fresh spring air.
All drivers can expect local highways and interstates to be busier as motorcycles get out this weekend. Use extra caution when driving on the major highways around the KC Metro, including I-29, I-35, and I-70.
More motorcyclists being out on the road poses a unique problem right now. Motorists are used to roads being clearer, which leads to increased speeds—especially on highways and interstates. And since motorcycles are more difficult to see than other vehicles, they are at even higher risk of deadly or serious injury accidents.
To help prevent motorcycle crashes on Missouri roadways, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety have created an awareness campaign called “Watch for Motorcycles.”
What is Watch for Motorcycles?
Watch for Motorcycles is a campaign with the initiative to increase motorcycle safety awareness for not only motorcyclists but also all other drivers on the road. The campaign is slated to run throughout the month of May and on holidays during the summer months.
This awareness stems from preliminary data that shows that about 15 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities in 2019 involved a motorcycle, leading to 120 motorcyclist deaths.
Tips for Preventing Motorcycle Accidents
To help prevent fatal motorcycle crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released several tips for drivers, including:
- Always signal when merging with traffic or changing lanes.
- Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles prior to changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially near intersections.
- Give motorcycles the full width of a lane at all times.
- Never drive while impaired or distracted.
If you are a motorcyclist, take the following safety precautions when out on the roads to reduce your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident:
- Obey all traffic laws.
- Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
- Get properly trained and licensed.
- Wear brightly colored clothing and reflective tape to make yourself more visible.
- Ride in the middle lane to increase visibility.
- Drive defensively and anticipate the moves of other drivers on the road.
- Be cautious of road conditions and debris.
- Never ride while distracted or impaired.
Obtaining a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Crash
Should you or a loved one be involved in a motorcycle crash, it is imperative that you reach out to a legal team to investigate your case. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries or death, which means that we often hear from family members of the person involved in the crash, and we can still help.
To lessen the burden on the injured or their family, we offer in-home and hospital consultations. It is best to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible so that we can start investigations. Since most motorcycle accidents occur when another driver doesn’t see the motorcyclist, accident scene investigations are critical to obtaining a maximum settlement for the victim. To learn more about how we handle these cases, click here.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Missouri, contact Horn Law today at 816-795-7500 to set up a free consultation. Remember that we can come to you to make the process easier.
