Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries that have lasting consequences. To raise awareness about the dangers riders face when on the road, traffic safety advocates in Maine and across the nation have designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
One of those groups is the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, which reminds drivers to share the road during the peak motorcycle riding season.
“May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month for us and it’s the month where we encourage all motorists to share the road with other road users but especially to watch out for motorcycle operators,” said Lauren Stewart, Director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, in a recent interview with WAGM 8 News.
How common are motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents happen at an alarming rate across the country and in Maine. On average in the U.S., more than 5,000 people are killed every year in motorcycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s more than 13 deaths every single day.
Motorcycle accidents often occur due to the negligent actions of other drivers, including speeding, tailgating, failure to yield (especially when making a left turn), driving under the influence, and distracted driving (e.g., texting and driving).
What drivers can do to protect motorcyclists
A lot of motorcycle accidents can be prevented if drivers simply take a few steps to share the road safely, such as:
- Look both ways and carefully proceed slowly through intersections. Intersections are common locations for car vs. motorcycle collisions.
- When merging or changing lanes, look twice to make sure there’s not a motorcyclist in the other lane, and remember to double-check your blind spots.
- Leave a safe distance when you're driving behind a motorcycle. Motorcyclists often need to make quick adjustments to changing road conditions, including potholes and roadway debris. If you're following a motorcyclist too closely, you may not have enough time to avoid causing a rear-end accident.
How can a motorcycle accident lawyer help?
You might think you don’t need an attorney if another driver clearly caused your motorcycle accident, especially if a local police officer or state trooper from the Maine State Police responded to the crash scene.
But it’s important to understand that law enforcement officials aren't focused on whether you're fairly compensated for your motorcycle accident injuries. That’s our job.
At Jabar LaLiberty, LLC, we have years of experience handling complex legal cases throughout Maine. We know how to investigate accidents and can give your injury claim the attention it needs and deserves.
To learn more about how we can help with your potential legal case, schedule a free consultation with a Maine motorcycle accident attorney. There are no obligations, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means our fee is a percentage of any compensation we obtain on your behalf, and if we don't win, you don't pay. It's that simple. Contact us today. We have two offices conveniently located in Portland and Waterville, Maine.