Sharing the Road Safely with Motorcyclists
May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and just as Memorial Day and summer are approaching, it is a good time to remind drivers to remain alert and share the road safely with motorcyclists.
A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that in 2019, more than 5,000 motorcyclists were killed, accounting for 14 percent of traffic deaths; 84,000 were injured. Even though motorcyclists only make up 3 percent of all registered vehicles, the fatality rate is 6 times that of passengers in cars.
The rate of motorcycle accidents is even more concerning given the fact that motorcycle operators and passengers are not covered under the New York No-Fault law, which specifically excludes “any person while occupying a motorcycle.” That means that, unlike drivers and passengers in cars and trucks, individuals injured while operating or riding a motorcycle may only file a claim to recover compensation if the accident was the result of another party’s negligence.
While motorcycle riders do not qualify for no-fault coverage, pedestrians and other parties injured in an accident involving a motorcycle can file a claim with the insurer of the motorcycle or, if the motorcycle was uninsured, with the insurer of a household family relative who had an auto policy at the time of the accident or with MVAIC.
Motorcyclists have a responsibility to maintain a safe riding environment for themselves, their passengers, and other drivers. They need to make themselves visible to others around them, whether it is wearing bright colors or using reflective materials. They need to obey traffic laws and speed limits, and they also need to be defensive while making sure that they are aware of all their surroundings and can respond safely and quickly if need be.
In working to lower the number of injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents, it is also important to remember that the responsibility of being a safe driver does not just fall solely on the motorcyclists. Drivers of cars and trucks have a sizeable advantage on the road. Their vehicles are easy to see, do not end up in blind spots as often, and can sustain far greater damage than a motorcycle can. It may be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed and distance, given its size, making it harder for drivers to determine how much space they must make safe turns. Debris in the road is also a major danger for motorcyclists and it may cause them to change their position in a lane or change lanes quickly to avoid what is in the road, so motor vehicle drivers need to take special care in these circumstances to give motorcycles the room they need to safely navigate these areas.
If you have any questions regarding motorcycle accidents or injuries, our office is here to help.