RTA Guide: Motorcycles

RTA Guide: Motorcycles

Some people love motorcycles, some people steer clear of them at all costs. The people that love them see them as a huge convenience for avoiding the congestion on our roads. Motorcycles are the faster way of getting around, as they can easily cut through traffic. Motorcycles and mopeds are becoming more and more popular. A lot of motorcyclists feel that riding their motorcycle is a much more exciting and exhilarating way to get around.

Although there are many positive points of using a motorcycle there are also a lot of negatives. As a motorcyclist you are 57 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a car driver. You represent approximately 1% of the traffic on our roads in the UK but account for 19% of all deaths and serious injuries.

The Government recently launched a campaign called Think! One of the things they wanted to gain from the campaign was to make car drivers more aware of bikers, and to see them as people not just objects. They released figures which stated that 493 motorcyclists died and 5,556 were seriously injured in road collisions in 2008 in Great Britain.

How to avoid accidents as a Motorcyclist:

• Ride your motorcycle at a sensible speed- this will give you plenty of time to slow down or stop if need be. It will also give you more time to react if you spot a hazard in the road.
• Be Alert- You need to be alert and aware of what other motorists are likely to do. You should have a look over your shoulder before pulling out at junctions and making manoeuvres.
• Sensible clothing- Make sure you wear safety clothing and a safety helmet. Both of these will protect you if you do become involved in an accident. You should also make sure that the clothing is fluorescent so that other drivers can see you.
• Overtaking- Overtaking is a major cause of motorcycle accidents. You should always make sure that you can see the road ahead of you before over taking, and should always avoid overtaking on bends.

Making a Motorcycle Compensation Claim

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and wish to make a claim it is best to seek legal advice on where to go next. You should provide your lawyer with as little or as much information as possible, they will then be able to follow it up and pursue your claim for compensation. The Injury Lawyers will investigate your claim further, and keep you up to date with its progress. For more information you can contact us on 01246 474 487.