Drivers of motorbikes must be acutely aware of their surroundings, despite the fact that they are lighter and less noticeable than other motorized vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, motorbikes’ speed and skill tend to encourage risky driving behaviors among riders, and these movements are frequently expensive in their lives. Contacting a Philadelphia, PA motorcycle accident attorney is advisable in such situations.
- Shifting lanes
Lane splitting, in which a motorbike weaves between traffic lanes to pass other automobiles, or shares a lane with them rather than passing them correctly, is one of the riskiest actions a motorcycle rider may engage in. Motorcyclists must adhere to the identical PA traffic regulations required of other drivers, just as motorbikes require the same consideration and courtesy as all other motorized vehicles. It does not follow that just because they can move more quickly and precisely; they should.
- Driving While Tired or Impaired
A motorbike should not be driven by someone who is intoxicated, just like with some other motor vehicle. In the same way, motorbikes should not be operated by tired or sleepy drivers. Every person on the road, including the rider, is put in danger when driving while intoxicated.
- Dangerous Left-Hand Turns.
Most collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles occur when the latter turns to the left. All motorcycle accidents involving cars occur in a sizable majority of these circumstances. The motorbike usually continues straight through the junction. At the same time, the automobile makes a left turn and fails to stop or deflect in time, or the biker is trying to pass or surpass the car in a hazardous manner and is unaware the driver of the car intends to turn.
In certain circumstances, Pennsylvania law applies a comparative negligence standard, which means that accident victims may share some of the blame for the incident, in which case the number of their recoverable damages will be proportionately reduced.
On the road, motorcycle riders need to be much more cautious. While it is expected that all drivers obey the law, motorcycle riders should be aware that their bikes offer much less safety than other vehicles do and that making a mistake or choosing an unsafe course of action while operating a motorcycle can be much more expensive than doing so while running another type of vehicle. These errors also have a far higher likelihood of being fatal.
- Unsafe Weather
Compared to other vehicles, motorcycles are more vulnerable to dangerous road conditions. Motorcycle riders are significantly more vulnerable to the effects of rain, snowfall, ice, and other weather conditions than drivers of passenger cars. Sometimes, sloppy or uneven roadways result from road construction. Given the tiny size of motorbikes versus other types of vehicles, carcasses on the roadway can even pose a significant risk to them.