Like many other motorcycle enthusiasts in New York, you may have been waiting for months to get your motorcycle back on the road. Spring is finally here, and there is nothing better than feeling the freedom of your motorcycle on a warm afternoon. However, this is also a good time of year to review the many hazards you face on your motorcycle, as well as for other drivers to understand their role in respecting bikers who share the road.
May is Motorcycle Safety Month, according to the National Safety Council. It can help you to be aware that other drivers are not likely to be watching for nearby motorcycles, and few understand the numerous dangers that are unique to motorcyclists. For example, motorcycles are smaller, faster and harder to see than larger cars and trucks. They can easily lose control, and bikers are especially vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. Motorcyclists lack the protections that drivers and passengers of other vehicles have, such as seatbelts and airbags. Drivers who fail to see an approaching motorcycle as they are entering the road or changing lanes pose a particularly deadly danger to bikers.
In 2017, 14% of all U.S. traffic fatalities involved motorcyclists. That year, 5,172 motorcyclists and passengers were killed in accidents. It is to be hoped that this month’s safety topic will raise awareness and courtesy between motorcycle riders and the drivers of other vehicles. As our page on motorcycle accidents explains, you may be liable for compensation if a negligent driver caused your motorcycle to crash.