Austin Personal Injury Lawyer - Motorcycle Accidents

ROT Motorcycle Rally Is This Weekend; Let's Avoid The Motorcycle Accidents

Brooks Schuelke — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:46:32 GMT

I'm almost recycling a post from last year, but this weekend is the Republic of Texas Rally in Austin. The rally will bring over 50,000 bikers to town. There might be even more this year with Robbie Knievel's big jump in front of the state capitol. And we need to be gracious hosts and aware of our two-wheeled guests.

As I wrote at this time last year:

Most motorcycle accidents are caused not by the bikers, but by other drivers. Thus, I think it's appropriate that we have some safety tips for this weekend. And there is no better source than Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Ten Things Car and Truck Drivers Need to Know About Motorcycles:

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

I hope of all of you in town have a good time, and most importantly, make sure you're safe so you can come back next year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke

Will the Texas Legislature Really Approve Lane Splitting?

Brooks Schuelke — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:35:06 GMT

Before reading this blog post, watch a portion of the video below.

Did you watch it? If you did, thanks for listening. If you haven't, really go back and watch a few seconds.

The video is a good example of lane splitting, motorcycles driving between lanes of traffic. Doesn't seem very smart or safe to me, but yesterday the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 506, which would make some lane splitting legal in Texas.

Your question is problem the same as mine? Why do we need that? Well, supporters of the bill suggest that allowing lane splitting will help improve traffic. As the motorcycles move up, it vacates spots in traffic for cars and trucks. Now I try and give people the benefit of the doubt, but that sounds ridiculous to me. I'm not sure what kind of traffic the supporters sit in, but when I'm in traffic, it's because there are too many cars and trucks, not because there are too many motorcycles. Now maybe if they voted to allow lane splitting for semis it would improve traffic, but motorcycles just aren't much of a problem.

Instead, this seems stupidly dangerous for all involved. I don't know about you, but I have a hard enough time changing lanes during rush hour traffic --- trying to find an opening or trying to make eye contact with the driver next to me so they'll let me in --- I don't need the extra difficulty of watching out for some idiot speeding up behind me on a motorcycle. And then imagine all the cars that move close together to try and cut off the motorcyclists. I just don't see how this is going to go well.

If you're interested in more, Fox 7 had a nice story last night, and I suggest you watch it.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke

Austin Motorcycle Deaths Double

Brooks Schuelke — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:39:02 GMT

This morning's Austin American Statesman reported that the number of deaths in Austin motorcycle crashes more than doubled. From the article:

The deaths have become part of an alarming reality in Austin: The number of people killed in motorcycle crashes last year more than doubled from 2007, rising from eight to 18. Motorcycle deaths accounted for 31 percent of the city's overall traffic fatalities in 2008, compared with 13 percent in 2007, according to police statistics.

Law enforcement officials said the increase appears to be following a national and statewide trend that they think is partially the result of more drivers finding cheaper transportation during last year's gas price surge.

While state and national statistics are not yet available, anecdotal stories from officers around the state say that motorcycle deaths are increasing everywhere.

It is incumbent upon all of us, cyclists and non-cyclists, to try and make the roads a little safer for all. Injuryboard has compiled some very good resources on motorcycle safety that everyone should read.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke

ROT Motorcycle Rally: But Can Austin Avoid the Wrecks?

Brooks Schuelke — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:54:00 GMT

This weekend is the annual Republic of Texas Biker Rally, and Austin will host over 50,000 motorcyclists. Unfortunately, with the growing popularity of the rally, it seems like there are more and more motorcycle accidents every year, and even some fatalities.

1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

For all of you reading out there, please look out for all of the bikers out there, not only this weekend, but throughout the year.

And if you're the unfortunate victim of a motorcycle accident, please feel free to call us, and we'll do our bests to walk you through the personal injury maze.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke