It has been said that motorcycles represent approximately about 1% of the traffic on our roads in the UK but they account for 18% of all serious deaths and injuries. Motorcyclists are 40 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a car driver. This is why it is highly important that you take extra care as a motorcycle driver and also as another road user where motorcycles are present.
There are five common motorcycle accidents that occur on roads worldwide; these include:
?Bends on country roads
?Collisions at junctions
?Collisions while overtaking
?Loss of control
?Shunts
In order to safely ride a motorcycle you need to be skilled. You need to be able to manoeuvre around corner with the right amount of bend placed on the bike; you also need to be able to adjust your riding in order to deal with different road conditions such as poor whether conditions, spills on the road and pot holes. As well as making sure you are prepared for whatever the road surface has to offer you also need to ensure that your motorcycle is in the best condition, especially the tyres. You need to make sure that your tyres have the correct amount of tread and the correct pressure, remember it is the tyres on the motorcycle that your life depends on.
In recent years there has been an increase in the sales of scooters and motorcycles; however this has sadly been corresponded with an increase in deaths and serious injury of motorcycle riders. This is why it is important that as a motorcyclist you are alert, especially at junctions and roundabouts; you need to be anticipating what other road users are likely to do and always check before completing a manoeuvre. Another important aspect that you need to keep in mind is your positioning within the road. The best and most safe position for a motorcyclist is in the centre of a lane, which is where you should intend to stay until you need to turn; you should then make your way over to the correct side of the lane.
Having an accident on a motorcycle as either the rider or passenger you have the potential of suffering from numerous different injuries such as whiplash, broken bones, tissue damage, multiple trauma, paraplegia and brain damage or even suffering a fatal accident. These merely name a few of the injuries that you may be suffering from after having a motorcycle accident.
If you have had a motorcycle accident in the last three years that has left you suffering from life changing injuries or that has left you facing financial difficulty due to being out of work and facing mounting medical expenses then get in touch with a personal injury specialist today as you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
In a successful claim compensation will be awarded for your initial injuries, any medical expenses that you are facing and any loss of earnings that you have suffered since that accident.
It is easy to see why motorcycles are appealing to a large number of people, old and young alike. These vehicles are great for heavy daily commutes because they are small and maneuverable, making it possible to weave in and out of traffic and split lanes to get ahead of the crush of cars that are otherwise stalled. This practice is not only legal, it is encouraged as a method of relieving congestion and getting at least a few motorists off of the roads faster, hopefully cutting down of pollution as well.
Motorcycles are also much more economical than a car, so if you are commuting alone, then you are spending far less gas in addition to being able to spend less time in traffic. Motorcycles are highly customizable, and just about anyone can get a motorcycle that fits their tastes and personality from something great for cruising the roads on a sunny day to a speed machine that is up for anything.
Unfortunately, motorcycles are also incredibly dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4008 motorcyclists were killed in 2004, and over 76,000 were injured that same year. The NHTSA tells us that about half of all motorcycles involved in deadly accidents collided with another vehicle, and one third of motorcyclists died while speeding. This twice the fatality rate for drivers of passenger vehicles or light trucks.
Many motorcyclists choose not to wear helmets, further increasing the risk of fatality when it comes to a collision, and things like alcohol impairment or improper training can lead to even more crashes and more fatalities. Injuries sustained because of a motorcycle accident are almost always severe in the case of the motorcycle driver, with many injuries resulting in a severe drop in quality of life.
While many motorcycle accidents could have been prevented by adherence to traffic laws on the part of the cyclist, many other accidents are caused by other drivers who were not aware of their surroundings or who were otherwise impaired or negligent in their driving. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you to sort out the details of your collision if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident.
If you do not fight for your rights under the law, the insurance companies involved in the handling of your motorcycle accident may try to get out of paying you what they owe you for your injuries sustained as well as for the damage to your vehicle and personal property during the crash.
A motorcycle accident attorney can help you fight back for yourself, even while you are injured and recovering from the accident. Your motorcycle accident attorney will fight beside you against the insurance companies or other drivers involved in order to make sure that you are treated fairly and given the compensation that you deserve.
An attorney who is experienced in handling motorcycle accident cases will also be able to help you to make your case despite the potential severity of injuries sustained during the accident. An experienced attorney is the key to making sure that your case is handled properly, since laws can be complex and can apply differently based on other factors.
Many people might assume that if you were in a motorcycle accident, that it was your fault. Many attorneys will not even fight for you if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident for this very reason. A motorcycle accident attorney will know the real facts. In many cases, motorcycle accidents are the result of an inattentive driver who does not see the motorcycle or otherwise mistakes the capabilities of the bike and causes an accident.
Your motorcycle accident attorney will evaluate the facts of the case and help you determine if you have a motorcycle injury base before leading you through the filing process and helping you to get the money that you deserve for your injuries and damage sustained. Most motorcycle accident attorneys will even evaluate your case for free to help you determine how best to proceed.
A personal injury attorney can help you to make your case if he or she is willing to work with you, but your chances are best when working with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at your side.
The experience in the specific field makes all the difference in ensuring that your case is handled in exactly the right manner, and a motorcycle accident attorney will be used to dealing with cyclists like you and injuries like yours. He or she will be able to help you win your case and get on with your life.
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