Our legal office frequently fields phone calls from victims of motorcycle accidents in Baton Rouge. The most common cases involve motorcycles and traditional four-wheel vehicles. There are instances where the motorcyclist is the at-fault party, and other occasions where the vehicle driver is responsible. However, motorcyclists are often placed in much greater danger with these accidents, and it is important for both parties to be aware of how to prevent these collisions from happening.
How can cars prevent accidents?
There are inherent dangers involved with any type of vehicle driving at any speed. Not every accident involves excessive speeding or negligence by the parties; there are instances where the driver is involved in an accident with a motorcyclist despite taking all precautions they think are necessary. Motorcycles often represent a greater risk because they are harder to identify for drivers more accustomed to other four-wheel vehicles on the road. Motorcyclists often drive at faster speeds than other drivers and become impatient with slower-moving vehicles. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on every driver to take preventative measures to avoid serious Louisiana motorcycle accidents.
Drivers should follow a simple 4-second rule in case something unexpected happens with the motorcycle. Putting a gap of four seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you allows for the ability to make driving adjustments in case a dangerous situation arises. Drivers should also respect the current driving conditions because motorcycles are much more susceptible to accidents in inclement weather such as rain or fog. This may seem like common sense, but a lot of drivers are not conscious about slowing down for mother nature. Another measure that seems intuitive is looking before you turn. Drivers may not be aware of motorcycles in cross traffic and double checking might prevent an accident.
One final step to attempt to prevent motorcycle accidents is for drivers to continuously check their blind spots. Motorcycles are often driving on multiple lane highways in areas where drives cannot see them. The more aware drivers are on the roads, the safer the conditions for all motorists. Taking what might appear to be an unnecessary precaution could save the life of someone else on the road.
Who is to blame in motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle victims often sustain much more serious injuries than other occupants of the roads. Negligence involves behavior that fails to uphold reasonable standards for protecting an individual from foreseeable risks of harm. Sometimes, the negligent driving style of four-wheel motorists could be catastrophic for motorcycle victims. They have an even greater duty of care than other forms of negligence because of the inherent risks associated with driving a motorcycle. Even accidents which would have few or no injuries for occupants protected by traditional vehicles can cause life-threatening injuries for bikers.
Compensation in Motorcycle Accidents
If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should reach out to Rozas Injury Law. Our legal team has helped numerous bikers recover just compensation for the injuries caused by another driver’s negligence. The victim should avoid settling their claims with insurance companies until receiving fair legal representation. We are here to help you through the process.
