Motorcycle Accidents Archives - The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez, PLLC.

What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 21:20:15 +0000

A motorcycle offers a unique way to explore the road. One that has been celebrated in almost all American storytelling. However, this thrilling ride can come with its dangers. Motorcyclists are vulnerable to various accidents. To highlight the importance of safe motorcycle riding, we have compiled a list of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Low Visibility

Motorcycles are smaller than cars in build; they usually don’t get the same consideration on the road. Driving on the highway especially means having to navigate a space that’s mainly designed for full-size vehicles. Most cars are not looking out for motorcycles in the same way they would for other traffic. You can counteract this by being mindful and proactive when navigating around cars. When in doubt, assume other drivers can’t see you and drive defensively.

Dangerous Turn

Left-hand turns are notorious for causing accidents, with almost 40% of accidents involving a left turn. Whether the vehicle turns into an oncoming motorcycle or swipes into one that’s trying to pass, the results can be fatal. For the majority of cases, the left-turning vehicle is at fault for the accident.

Reckless Driving

Motorcycles are not the only vehicles in danger of other negligent, distracted, drunk, or impaired drivers. However, they are uniquely vulnerable to them. Motorcycles are already less visible than other vehicles to other motorists. In being so, they already increase their risk to distracted of impaired drivers.

Reckless operation of motorcycles can also pose a danger to motorists. We know it can be hard to suppress the adrenaline of blasting off on a high-end motorcycle. However, this is no reason to go crazy on the road, as you’re giving other vehicles even less time to react to a potential collision.

Driving Conditions

In Utah, we are all familiar with less than optimal driving conditions, to say the least. It can cause a significantly higher margin for something to go wrong during your casual ride. Be mindful of the condition of the road and your vehicle at all times, it would be a shame for you to sustain severe or even fatal injuries due to some ice. Also, maintaining your motorcycle to its proper efficiency can rule out mechanical issues from arising. The last thing you want is to be severely injured because your brake system failed at the wrong time.

Getting injured in a motorcycle accident can lead to a long road to recovery. Since most motorcycle accidents are often severe, recovery can leave a nasty pile of hospital bills. That’s why we’re here to provide experienced motorcycle accident attorneys to help you get the compensation you truly deserve. Contact us online or call our office during regular office hours to see how our expert attorneys can help your case.

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Utah Motorcycle Safety Tips

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Tue, 04 May 2021 05:12:54 +0000

I can hardly wait for those long summer days to be here – bringing with it the sights, sounds, and smells of happiness, laughter, family, and fond memories. Thankfully, that wait is almost over. Of course, a favorite of summer is to enjoy the open road on a motorcycle. While I certainly don’t want to put a damper on any enjoyable summer activities, I do implore everyone to be cautious and safety-minded if operating a motorcycle or riding on one.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, motorcycle accidents have increased since the 1990s. Despite, this they go on to state that approximately only 61% of riders wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can be the single most important thing you can do to prevent serious injury or even death. Under Utah law, anyone riding on a motorcycle who is under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

The Utah Department of Transportation went on to cite the following as the highest contributors to motorcycle crashes: (1) speed; (2) following too close; (3) failing to keep in proper lane; (4) ran off-road; and (5) evasive action or swerving. Do not be one of these statistics – be safety-minded and use care and caution when operating a motorcycle.

Not only must care and caution is applied but extra attention must be utilized when operating a motorcycle. Drivers of cars tend to overlook or not see motorcycles. The Utah Department of Transportation cites the statistic that roughly one-third of 28% of drivers who hit motorcyclists were turning left and failed to see the motorcycle.

In 2016 a study was done in the US which arrived at the consensus that wearing a helmet cut the risk of suffering from a traumatic brain injury in half when a rider wore a helmet. The American Journal of Surgery published the report and quoted that those injured were 44% less likely to suffer a fatal injury when compared to those who were not wearing a helmet. Likewise, the CDC has estimated that helmets saved 1,859 lives in 2016. Furthermore, helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and head injury by 69%.

I sincerely hope you enjoy all that summer has to bring with it with absent any accidents or injuries. That said, should you suffer a motorcycle injury, or have questions or concerns regarding a motorcycle accident, contact one of our legal professionals today to discuss your rights.

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Staying Safe on a Motorcycle this Summer

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:47:03 +0000

I was scrolling online to review today’s news and read an article about a Utah Motorcyclist killed in Idaho. This particular accident involved a motorcycle colliding with a horse trailer. While I, myself, appreciate motorcycles, the freedom they bring, the sound of their engines, and how fun they are to ride – the terrifying statistics behind motorcycle injuries must be lowered. According to highwaysafety.ut.gov, the following statistics are applicable for 2019:

Traffic Safety Performance Measures for Utah 2009-2018 (Core Outcomes)

Source: Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool;

https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/query

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that motorcycle deaths rose from 38 to 47 in 2018. That was an increase of 24%, the highest growth in the State’s history.

Highway Patrol urges cyclists to help combat these statistics, especially new ones, to enroll in a rider skills class. This will help motorcyclists get heads-up training and necessary riding skills to keep themselves a little safer. Riding a motorcycle is much more complicated than driving a car, and you need some professional training. The State of Utah has set up a website, ridetolive.utah.gov, where Utahns may receive a 25% discount on such courses.

As reported by utahbikelaw.com.

In helping keep the road a little safer, remember:

Drivers need to put down the cell phone;
Always wear a helmet;
Look twice;
Follow the rules of the road; and
Be careful and courteous.

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How to Avoid the Most Common Motorcycle Accidents

The Law Offices of Roberto Hernandez — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 17:32:11 +0000

Common causes of motorcycle accidents

One of the most frustrating aspects of any vehicle accident is that they could have been avoided. If you look at the reasons an accident has occurred, they almost always come back to a human error of some kind. Motorcycles are much smaller and harder to see than a car. Also, a rider is completely exposed to the horrible forces of a crash. However, if you plan and take the necessary precautions, you may avoid these common motorcycle accidents.

Here are three of the most common motorcycle accidents in Utah and what you can do to avoid them:

Left Turn

Left-turn accidents are the most common type of accident across the entire country. In most cases, the car driver fails to see you or misjudges the distance between your vehicle and theirs as they turn in front of you.

A good motorcyclist needs to think a couple of steps ahead of the car driver. You will develop a sixth sense to tell if there is a danger of an accident ahead with experience. Watch to see if there is a sign that the driver will turn left; there may be a gap in traffic right in front of you.

Gravel

If you’re turning the corner and you suddenly see a patch of gravel, you may find that it can cause a severe wipeout, leaving you injured and in need of medical attention.

You can prevent these situations from happening by not hitting turns fast when you cannot see around them. A good rule of thumb on taking turns on any motorcycle is “slow in, fast out.”

Switching Lanes

This happens way too often. You are riding through traffic when out of nowhere, a car begins to veer into your lane. It’s extremely easy for motorcycles to become hidden in a car’s blind spot. Furthermore, drivers are not always mentally prepared to be aware of motorcyclists when switching lanes.

Try to keep your distance from a car; the more space, the better. Do not sit in a car’s blind spot. If you cannot see the driver look at their side mirror, assume they cannot see you.

Remaining safe on a motorcycle involves proactive and defensive driving. However, sometimes accidents are an unfortunate and inevitable circumstance. If you have been in an accident, contact our experienced lawyers at (801) 590-3275 to speak with a legal professional and request a consultation.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. This website contains general information relating to areas of law familiar to our firm. The information should not be construed as legal advice or other professional advice. You should not rely on the contents of this website as such. Participation on this website does not create any kind of attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice or representation, please contact my office, and I would be pleased to discuss your case with you and see if my firm can help.

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