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Few things are as liberating as getting out on your bike and enjoying the open road and the beauty that Texas and New Mexico have to offer. It’s critical to recognize, however, exactly how vulnerable you are to serious accidents and injuries when you ride. Make staying safe out there your top priority, and if you’re injured by another driver’s negligence, don’t wait to consult with an experienced motorcycle attorney who serves both Richardson, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
When You’re on Your Motorcycle
When you head out on your motorcycle, there are a variety of safety factors unique to bikers that you should keep in mind, including:
You Take Up Less Space
Your motorcycle takes up far less space on the road, which not only makes it more difficult to see but also makes it more difficult for drivers to accurately gauge their distance and speed. This means that it is easier for you to get lost in other drivers’ blind spots and that you are especially vulnerable in intersections (where drivers need to not only see you but also must calculate when it is safe to proceed – in accordance with your speed and distance from them).
You’re More Vulnerable to What Is Happening on the Road
When you’re on your bike, the fact that you’re on two wheels and have less connection with the road and less stability overall helps to ensure that all the following play a more significant role regarding your safety (than they would if you were in a car or larger vehicle):
The condition and maintenance of the road
Inclement weather
Debris on the road
Road construction
Heavy traffic
You Require Less Stopping Distance
When you ride, your smaller size and weight allow you greater maneuverability and ensure that you need less time and distance to come to a safe stop. When motorists fail to take this into consideration and drive too closely, you’re at that much greater risk of being rear-ended, which can prove deadly.
Driver Negligence
Motorcycle accidents are often the result of negligence on the part of other drivers, which can come in wide-ranging varieties, including:
Distraction – When a driver chooses to ignore the road to focus on a distraction, it makes the driver that much less likely to spot a motorcyclist in his or her midst.
Impairment – Drunk drivers put us all at increased risk, and motorcyclists are especially vulnerable.
Exhaustion – Drowsy drivers can experience physical and cognitive impairments that make them very dangerous drivers.
Excess Speed – When motorists drive at speeds that are either over the speed limit or too fast for the conditions on the ground, they decrease the time they have to react safely, and they increase the risk that any ensuing accidents will be fatal.
Seek the Legal Guidance of an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The accomplished motorcycle accident attorneys at Salam & Associates – proudly serving both Richardson, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico – have the experience, drive, and legal know-how you’re looking for, so please don’t wait to contact or call us at 866-640-8998 to schedule your free consultation today.