Motorists often report not having noticed motorcyclists when questioned by police after crashing into them. You don’t want this to be the question another motor vehicle operator gets asked because you were too badly hurt or died in a motorcycle crash, and the police couldn’t ask you.
Many of our motorcycle accident victim clients often remark that they didn’t know what more they could have done to ensure they were seen on the road than what they already did. However, in our experience as motorcycle accident attorneys in Columbia, we’ve identified steps that, had motorcyclists known to take them to increase their visibility, could have perhaps prevented the crash that caused them to suffer catastrophic injuries or die.
Below, we share some tips for how to improve your visibility while riding a motorcycle.
When Are Motorbike Crashes Most Likely to Occur?
Motorcyclists are most apt to be hit by motorists when drivers are:
- Pulling out of parking lots, driveways, or alleys
- Making turns
- Approaching merging traffic on interstate on-ramps
- Attempting to navigate around a road hazard like wildlife, stopped traffic, a pothole, etc.
- Suddenly operating their vehicles in inclement weather (and haven’t yet adjusted their speed to account for longer braking distances
- Traveling along rural 2-lane highways where loss of control of the vehicle for as little as a few seconds can lead to a catastrophic collision
While all of the scenarios described above involve moving cars striking motorcycles, it is quite possible for a stationary vehicle to cause a wreck that injures the motorcyclist. This “dooring” can happen if a driver parks their car and opens their door without checking their surroundings first. This may mean that it gets opened in the rider’s path, causing them to be ejected from their motorbike.
How To Increase Your Visibility When Riding a Motorcycle
Whether you’ve had the misfortune of having a few close calls with getting hit or a motorist has actually struck you, causing you to suffer injuries, if you want to increase your visibility when riding your motorbike, take these steps:
- Circulate within your lane when stopped in traffic or at a light to draw attention to your presence
- Reduce your speed when approaching blind spots, such as a turn-in after a curve in the road
- Ensure your headlight and brake light are properly functioning
- Constantly scan the road for motorists opening their car doors, pedestrians darting out in front of traffic in front of you, or slowing traffic ahead and adjusting your speed or route accordingly
- Keep pace with the traffic flow
- Always mind all South Carolina traffic safety laws, including stopping, when appropriate, at stop signs and lights
- Consider avoiding roadways soon after it begins raining as motorists adjust their speeds and braking distances
- Proceed cautiously when approaching a tractor-trailer’s no-zones, ensuring you pass those blind spots as quickly as possible
- Avoid passing to the right of cars, where they’re less likely to see you
Another tip that can increase your visibility as a motorbike rider is being strategic about what you wear. This can determine whether you make it home safely or not.
How High-Visibility Clothing Helps Motorcyclists Avoid Being Hit
Motorcycles don’t offer seat belts nor the same protectionary shell that cars do. Their profile is slim, and the colors they’re painted are often muted, factors that cause them not to stand out very well. There’s very little motorcyclists can do to change many of these attributes. However, one thing they can do to help is to wear high-visibility clothing.
Are you unfamiliar with this type of clothing and skeptical about how it can keep you safe? Most clothing that is brightly colored (think neon green, yellow, or green) may qualify as high-visibility. If it has reflectors embedded in it so that those panels react to a car’s lights shining on them, that’s even more aligned with what this type of clothing is supposed to be like.
A BMJ academic study contends that fluorescent clothing, even if it’s just a helmet or vest as opposed to an entire outfit, can reduce motorcycle crashes by as much as 37%.
What To Do If Decreased Visibility Led To You Being Struck as a Motorcyclist
Our hope here at The Solomon Law Group, LLC is that you found this article in time to learn tips to help keep you safe when riding your motorbike around the Midlands. However, if you came upon these tips a little late after you’ve already suffered injuries in a preventable motorcycle accident in Columbia, SC, let’s talk.
One of our motorcycle crash attorneys may be able to assist you in recovering compensation for your accident-related losses, whether that’s medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, or something else. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your Columbia motorbike crash with one of our lawyers to better understand your rights, so give us a call to speak with a member of our legal team now.
