It may be hard for most riders to swallow, but summer is over. The recent blizzard that hit the East Coast made that abundantly clear. Still, when the snow melts and roads dry out for a day or so, there is always at least one diehard motorcycle enthusiast who cannot let a a single sunny day pass without firing up his Harley, Honda or Ducati — even with temperatures hovering just above freezing.
As a Maryland motorcycle accident lawyer, I have met some dyed-in-the-wool bikers and for them I suggest extreme caution when riding during what many consider the “off season” for motorcycles. But it isn’t just the weather that should concern motorcycle riders. I’ll pose the question here: Could fewer bikes on the road result in car, SUV and pickup truck drivers becoming less conscious of a motorcycle in their blind spot?
It is understood that automobile-motorcycle collisions can be one of the more deadly traffic accidents. Because of this, every rider should be watchful no matter what the season, but especially on those unusually pleasant winter days, not to mention when springtime comes to our state.
Right now there may be fewer motorcycle riders out on Maryland roads, but that doesn’t mean that there will be fewer accidents, at least on a percentage basis. My main concern here is for the safety of cyclists wherever they may be. As a rule, it is always important to share the road with all vehicles. If car and truck drivers took more responsibility and drove more attentively, motorcycle accidents could be reduced dramatically all year round.
If you or someone you know has been injured on a motorcycle as a result of the car or truck crash, it is vital that you act quickly to secure professional legal representation before agreeing to any insurance settlement.