Riding a motorcycle may be exhilarating, but it is also risky for drivers and passengers. It has been reported that there are about 5,000 motorcycle accident deaths per year in the United States. With a high risk of injury or death on a motorcycle, blind spots top the list for potential accident causes.
Setareh Law is an award-winning California law firm with experience helping victims of motorcycle accidents. To help avoid an accident, we’ve provided six tips that may help you avoid blind spot motorcycle accidents.
How To Identify a Motorcycle’s Blindspot
Blindspots are the area around a driver of a vehicle where they cannot directly or easily see. Blindspots are dangerous as they are not directly in the line of sight for the driver, which means the driver may not see another vehicle or person as they switch into their lane. All vehicles have blind spots, including motorcycles, so it is so important to identify the blind spots on your motorcycle. Common areas where a blindspot may be on a motorcycle include:
- The area between what you can see and your rearview mirror
- An area that is blocked from sight due to the vehicles bodywork
All vehicles may have different blind spots, so it is essential to identify your specific motorcycle’s blind spots before going out for a drive.
Tips to Avoid Blind Spot Motorcycle Accidents
All drivers need to practice safe driving, and being aware of how to avoid a blind spot accident is vital to the safety of everyone on the road. Some tips to avoid a blind spot motorcycle accident include:
- Avoid driving in other’s blindspots: It is always best to avoid being in another person’s blind spot when driving. Especially because motorcycles are not as big as other motor vehicles, it is for your safety that you should try to remain in the other driver’s line of vision while driving.
- Drive defensively: This does not mean that you should drive aggressively, but rather that you should be on high alert while driving. It helps to try to anticipate the movements of the other drivers around you.
- Back off: Leave some space between you and other drivers. A good practice is to back off about 20 feet from other vehicles on the road.
- Wear bright clothing: Wearing brightly colored clothing like pink, yellow, green, or orange may help other drivers on the road spot you easier.
- Keep your headlights on: Especially at night, keeping your headlights on will help increase your visibility on the road.
- Pass vehicles quickly: If you have to pass another vehicle, you should try to do so quickly. This does not mean you should speed, but you should not pass slowly, as it increases the potential of you being in the vehicle’s blind spot for an extended period.
These tips may help motorcycle drivers avoid blind spot accidents, keeping themselves and other drivers safe on the California roads.
California Motorcycle Blind Spot Accident Lawyers Are On Your Side
If you or a loved one is injured in a blind spot motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the losses you have suffered as a result. To help you build a strong injury claim, you may want to partner with an experienced motorcycle blind spot accident lawyer.
Setareh Law has an award-winning team of seasoned attorneys with experience helping victims of blind spot motorcycle accidents in California. With over 13 years of experience, our legal team provides our clients with dedicated representation and personalized care. For a free consultation, contact us here or call (310) 659-1826.