Motorcycle riding is a year-round activity in South Florida; you are lucky to be able to enjoy your favorite activity in any season here. However, sobering statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reveal the risks of serious motorcycle accidents as compared to other types of motor vehicle crashes. According to the report on Traffic Crash Facts for 2018, there were 291 total fatalities due to traffic collisions in Miami-Dade County; of these, 50 deaths were motorcycle riders – more than 17%. The reason for this skewed figure is certainly obvious: When an auto collides with a motorcycle, the rider on the two-wheeled vehicle will sustain the greatest impact.
As a result, you want to do everything you can to avoid being involved in a motorcycle crash. One recommendation is becoming a rider who anticipates various scenarios, rather than relying on other motorists to follow the rules of the road. You should work with a Miami motorcycle accident attorney if you are injured in a collision, but some tips may help you avoid becoming a victim.
Be Ready for the Worst Case Scenario
Essentially, the theory behind anticipatory motorcycle riding is expecting that there is an accident around every corner. You know how these incidents can occur, so use your knowledge and foresight to assume what other motorists may do – and plan how you will react. For example, when you are approaching an intersection and have a green light, try to anticipate:
- Oncoming cars that may make a left turn in front of you;
- A vehicle turning right from the intersecting street, directly ahead of you in your lane;
- The light turning yellow and then red;
- The car in front of you making a left without signaling;
- Pedestrians walking at the crosswalk of the intersecting street; and,
- Bicycle riders in one of the many designated bike lanes in Miami.
As you can see, these tips on anticipated motorcycle riding are more than just defensive driving. You are preparing yourself for the worst case scenario, so you will be ready for a crash before it happens. Of course, this advice does not just apply to motorcycle riding; it can be helpful anytime you are driving an automobile, biking, or walking.
Understand Your Rights
No amount of anticipatory motorcycling can prevent all accidents, as negligent drivers are unpredictable and dangerous. If you are involved in a crash, you should be aware of your legal options, which usually started with filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. With the help of an attorney, you may be entitled to recover for medical costs, pain and suffering, and many other losses.