For many years, there have been marketing and education efforts launched to raise awareness of sharing the road with motorcycles. Drivers are reminded to look out for motorcycles and give them plenty of space. However, too many drivers still have not gotten these messages and continue to make dangerous decisions behind the wheel which can jeopardize the safety of a rider.
One recent accident in California was a gruesome and tragic reminder of this fact. The crash involved a car making a left turn and an experienced motorcyclist who was unable to avoid running into the car.
The collision was devastating. The 27-year-old motorcyclist was riding down the road when suddenly an oncoming vehicle ahead of him made a sharp left turn directly in front of the biker without any warning. Whether the driver failed to see the biker or simply decided to take a senseless risk is not clear. But the rider on the motorcycle was tragically killed in the crash.
Accidents like this one are not uncommon, sadly. In fact, just three months before this accident, another biker was killed when a motorist made a U-turn right in front of him.
These crashes likely could have been prevented if the motorists behind the wheel of the cars had made safer decisions and taken more time to investigate their surroundings. Too often, drivers fail to take the same level of caution on the road as motorcyclists, but it is often these vulnerable riders who pay the price.
Since this recent accident, the victim’s family and friends have launched efforts to make local roads safer for motorcyclists. They are focused on putting left-turn signals at busy intersections to make them safer and reiterating the responsibility all motorists have to drive safely and share the road.
Victims of motorcycle accidents and their families can often feel helpless after these types of crashes. However, they do have the right to hold a negligent driver accountable for their actions and pursue compensation by filing a legal claim. Not only can this help people find some closure, but it can also serve as a reminder that reckless drivers who put the lives of motorcyclists in danger can be held accountable.
Source: The Acorn, “Family works to make roads safer after son dies in motorcycle accident,” Sylvie Belmond, July 18, 2013