Bike Week runs from March 4 through March 13, 2016. It is not just in Daytona anymore, with events spanning all around the Central Florida area, including Orlando, Sanford, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and New Smyrna Beach. There will likely be thousands of motorcycles on the roadways when this event is in full swing.
We all see the signs and bumper stickers that say, “Look Twice Save A Life,” but are we really following that advice when we drive our cars? We should all look twice for motorcycles, not just this time of year, but always. Keep in mind, there are not only motorcycles to beware of; there are also thousands of bicycles riding on our roads. If you are in a hurry and do not look twice, you might pull out in front of a motorcycle. This type of accident usually results in very serious injuries. Now that bikers do not have to wear helmets, an accident could easily result in death, leaving you with a possible charge of vehicular homicide. This is especially true if it is determined that you were using your cell phone at the time of the accident.
We have seen our share of very serious injuries and deaths from motorcycle accidents. Some of the worst injuries are head, leg, and internal injuries. Motorcycles can be hard to see, especially at night. Some motorcycles now have multiple, and brighter, headlamps to make them easier to see. Our minds are programmed to see and look for certain things. Recently, I received an email with intentionally misspelled words to test to see if it could be read and my brain filled in the spaces. It reminded me of a conversation I had with an expert psychologist, who told me that most drivers subconsciously look for two headlights when checking for oncoming traffic. This causes them not to see motorcycles, which leads to accidents. He mentioned that our brains were programmed to look for two, spread-apart headlights and when we don’t, we don’t see anything coming. The same concept applies to cars with only one working headlight.
Most motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers who pull out in front of motorcyclists who don’t have time to stop or avoid the crash. Motorcycles take about 1.75 times the distance to stop than a car because there is less friction between the tires and the road. Motorcycle versus car crashes often result in the motorcyclist suffering severe head injuries. During Bike Week, we will again hear about unfortunate accidents where a loved one will be killed in a crash. Don’t be the driver that causes such a loss; look twice and be careful.
If you ride a motorcycle and are not going to wear a helmet, you are required to carry more insurance to cover your medical expenses. There are special laws and insurance issues that apply to motorcycle claims. If you are involved in an accident, we can help answer questions about your rights. Call us at 407-841-7699 and discuss your case with us, all initial consultations are free. Look twice to save a life.