May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Motorcyclists in Indiana understand the importance of riders and drivers safely sharing the road. That’s because every motorcyclist knows it only takes one small mistake to cause a serious motorcycle accident.
That’s why road safety experts in Indiana and across the country recently designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This is especially important in Indiana since more motorcyclists start riding this time of year, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, who was interviewed recently by Fox 59 News.
How common are motorcycle accidents in Indiana?
Despite educational campaigns like Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, motorcycle accidents remain a serious problem in Indiana and nationwide. Each year in the U.S., an estimated 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents, according to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In Indiana, motorcycle accident fatalities have consistently increased nearly every year in the past decade. In 2020, a total of 151 motorcyclists died in Indiana, the most in a single year since 2012. Motorcycle accident fatalities have also increased by about 28 percent since 2011, according to accident statistics compiled by the NHTSA.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen?
In many cases, collisions involving motorcyclists and other drivers occur because the driver behaved in a reckless or negligent manner. Specific examples include:
- Aggressive drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots for a motorcyclist first.
- Drivers turning left at an intersection who turn without checking to see if there’s an oncoming motorcyclist.
- Speeders and distracted drivers who follow motorcyclists too closely.
- Drunk and impaired drivers who fail to recognize they need to share the road.
What can drivers do to prevent motorcycle accidents?
One of the primary goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is to educate drivers about the importance of motorcycle safety. Some people think it’s only up to motorcyclists to stay safe on the road. But drivers can and should do more to prevent motorcycle crashes from happening. Some of the ways drivers can prevent motorcycle accidents from occurring include:
- Always look for motorcyclists when driving on the road.
- Before changing lanes on a highway, look to make sure there’s no motorcyclist in the other lane.
- Before turning left at an intersection, double-check to make sure there’s no motorcyclist coming the other way.
- Don’t tailgate if there’s a motorcyclist in front. Riders often need to make quick adjustments, especially if there’s a pothole or unmarked hazard on the road.
We're the law firm injured bikers can turn to for help
You might think you don’t need a lawyer if another driver caused your motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, motorcyclists often get blamed for causing collisions. And if you're not careful, you could end up paying out of pocket for a motorcycle accident that was not your fault.
That's not right. That's why you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney on your side, looking out for your best interests.
At Boughter Sinak, LLC, we know how to investigate motorcycle accidents and find the evidence that matters to your case. We won't let an insurance company push you around or pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement offer. Instead, we'll fight for the compensation you're entitled to and help you recover every dollar you deserve.
For more details about how we can help with your potential legal case, contact us today for a free case evaluation with an experienced Indiana motorcycle accident attorney. We have two offices conveniently located in Fort Wayne and South Bend, and we handle cases throughout the state. We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we secure a financial settlement or verdict on your behalf.