Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons, including slick roads, poor visibility, and mechanical failures. However, a common cause of motorcycle collisions in Jacksonville, FL, is automobile driver negligence. If more people understood how to drive safely around motorcyclists, fewer collisions would occur.
Motorcycle collisions can cause severe or even fatal injuries. A Jacksonville motorcycle accident lawyer from Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can gather evidence and present legal arguments to hold drivers liable for the injuries they cause. With over 100 years of combined experience, we have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation.
Contact us today at (904) 396-1100 for a free consultation.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After A Motorcycle Accident In Jacksonville, FL
At Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers can provide the following assistance when you suffer a serious injury in a motorcycle collision resulting from someone else’s negligence:
- Discussing your accident and advising you about your legal rights
- Collecting the records and evidence you need for your case
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Negotiating for an insurance settlement and pursuing a lawsuit if the insurer refuses
The physical damage and financial losses from a motorcycle accident in Jacksonville, Florida, can be substantial. Contact us to schedule a free meeting with a Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorney to arrange a free consultation.
How Jacksonville Automobile Drivers Can Reduce Motorcycle Accident Risk
As a driver, you can help prevent motorcycle accidents in several ways.
Watch For Motorcycles
One of the most common excuses that drivers give after motorcycle accidents is that they never saw the motorcyclist. In many cases, this is exactly what occurred. Motorcycles are smaller and faster than automobiles. A lax driver can easily fail to spot a motorcycle.
However, there is an additional reason to watch for motorcycles. Drivers are vulnerable to a cognitive bias called inattentional blindness. It happens when the brain filters information to avoid being overwhelmed. Some drivers might not even see motorcycles in plain sight.
You can overcome inattentional blindness. Avoid driving while fatigued or distracted, and actively scan for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. This technique will help you spot motorcycles so you can avoid hitting them.
Check Your Blind Spots
Motorcycle crashes commonly occur when drivers sideswipe motorcycles when changing lanes. Drivers can easily lose track of the vehicles around them. When they change lanes without checking their blind spots, they may fail to see motorcycles in an adjacent lane.
You can significantly reduce the risk of hitting a motorcycle by turning your head and checking your side mirror before changing lanes.
Navigate Intersections Carefully
Motorcycle collisions often occur at intersections. Specifically, one of the most common crash types occurs when an automobile driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. The automobile may strike the front or side of the motorcycle. Alternatively, the motorcycle might be unable to stop and slam into the side of the automobile.
In these scenarios, some drivers fail to spot the motorcyclist due to inattentional blindness. However, a driver can also misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or distance. They may even believe that they can beat the rider through the intersection. Drivers can overcome all these reasons by simply pausing, looking for motorcycles, and yielding to them.
Pass Motorcycles Cautiously
Another common crash scenario occurs when drivers overtake motorcycles. Drivers sometimes crowd motorcycles by not moving fully into the passing lane. They may also cut off motorcycles by moving to the right without leaving the rider enough space.
Near misses caused by crowding or cutting off motorcycles put riders in peril. Riding requires balance. A near miss can cause riders to swerve, lose their balance, and run off the road or hit a fixed object, like a guardrail or signpost.
Anticipate Emergency Maneuvers
Riders are more vulnerable to road hazards like potholes and standing water. As a result, riders may sometimes swerve to avoid them. Drivers should anticipate that riders may need to swerve to avoid losing control of their motorcycles.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Tailgating a motorcycle can increase the risk of a rear-end collision. Motorcycles can slow down quickly, sometimes without activating their brake lights when riders release the throttle or downshift. Drivers who follow too closely may not have enough time to react.
To reduce this risk, leave at least four seconds of following distance behind a motorcycle. Increase that distance during heavy rain, poor visibility, or other hazardous road conditions. Giving riders extra space allows them to brake, slow down, or respond to unexpected hazards without risking a collision with the vehicle behind them.
Contact Our Jacksonville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Drivers can help prevent motorcycle accidents by staying alert, checking their blind spots, and giving riders enough room on the road. Unfortunately, even cautious motorcyclists can suffer serious injuries when drivers fail to take these precautions.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Jacksonville, FL, Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you. Call our Jacksonville motorcycle accident attorneys to arrange a complimentary consultation.
