Milwaukee Personal Injury Lawyer - Motorcycle Accidents

Two Milwaukee Area Motorcyclists Killed In Preventable Accidents

David Lowe — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:14:45 GMT

May is motorcycle safety awareness month. Most people seem unaware of this, with tragic consequences. Two Milwaukee area motorcyclists were killed yesterday in what appear to be preventable motorcycle collisions accidents caused by negligent drivers.

As is often the case, one of the accidents was reportedly caused by a driver making a left turn into the path of a cyclist who had the right of way.

The second accident was a “waving through” collision—where traffic on a through highway is backed up and a polite motorist stops and waves through a car that wishes to cross through from an intersecting street. The motorist interprets the “waving through” signal as an indication that it is safe to cross through and fails to see cross-traffic, in this case a motorcyclist. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel described the accident in just this manner:

The motorcyclist was westbound on Mitchell, and traffic in the eastbound lane was backed up…A motorist in the eastbound lane made way for a northbound van to get through on 17th St., but the van was struck by the motorcycle as the bike continued west…

Motorcyclists are vulnerable; there are no fender benders when it comes to a collision with a motorcyclist. With motorcycles coming out of the garages in the warm weather that has at last arrived, we all need to adhere to safe practices on the roadway.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has issued a proclamation that May, 2009 is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, declaring: "Motorcyclists have the right by law to the safe enjoyment of their vehicles, including the full and equal use of the roadway without encroachment by other vehicles, whether it be on city streets or rural and urban highways." Wisconsin’s motorcycle safety program includes a “Share the Road” initiative to reinforce the obligations of motorists to look for motorcyclists at all times and emphasizes the equal rights and responsibilties that motorists and cyclists share.

Missouri’s highway safety patrol recommends the following safe practices for car and truck drivers to help avoid motorcycle collisions:

-Drivers should actively watch for motorcyclists. Motorcycles may look farther away than they are due to their smaller size. It is also difficult to judge the speed at which a motorcycle is traveling as it approaches.

-Thoroughly check traffic before changing lanes. Motorcycles are hidden easily in a vehicle’s blind spots, or masked by objects or backgrounds.

-Allow extra distance between you and a motorcycle. Motorcyclists may slow down by downshifting or easing off the throttle, so you may not see a brake light.

-A motorcycle’s turn signal does not cancel after the turn like a vehicle’s signal does, so pay attention because the motorcycle may not be turning.

-A motorcyclist will often adjust his or her position in the lane in order to be seen more easily and to avoid debris, wind, or passing vehicles. Allow the motorcyclist to share the lane — don’t assume they are being reckless.

-Allow more distance behind a motorcycle when roads are wet and slippery. Stopping distance for motorcycles is similar to that of cars, but slippery pavement can make stopping quickly difficult.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Lowe

Failure to Yield Leads to Death of Racine County Motorcyclist

David Lowe — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:51:36 GMT

A 40 year old motorcyclist was killed Saturday when a truck pulling a boat trailer pulled out from a driveway into his path. The motorcyclist was identified by the Racine County Sheriff's department as Frank T. Newer.

Newer was traveling north on Highway 75north of Highway 11 in the Town of Dover when the accident occurred.

It appears that the truck failed to yield the right of way. The rules of the road require that a truck entering a highway from a driveway must yield to traffic on the highway.

With the warm weather finallyupon us here in Wisconsin, the roadways are being shared by all manner of vehicles. Let's keep our eyes open and look for our fellow motorists.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Lowe

Motorcyclist Hit and Run Victim Struck By Two Vehicles

David Lowe — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 07:25:39 GMT

I have been following a sad story from last month in which Michael Kemper, a 56 year old man from Pewaukee Wisconsin, was killed in a hit and run accident while riding his motor scooter.

Yesterday, the authorities announced that their investigation revealed the likelihood that the victim was hit by two separate vehicles, a minivan and an Oldsmobile Delta 88.

It is hard to believe that anyone would flee and leave an injured person lying at the side of the road. But two separate drivers doing so, with perhaps other passengers in the vehicle? Makes you shake your head.

The survivors now may have more uninsured motorist coverage though, because the insurance limit from the victim's insurance policy will be doubled if it can be shown that the victim survived the first accident and suffered separate physical harm from the second striking. There may be proof problems establishing exactly what happened. However, there seems little doubt that uninsured motorist coverage will be available because of the unmistakable evidence that there was contact, not a near miss. Just a few weeks ago the Wisconsin Supreme Court reiterated the rule that the hit and run vehicle must have contact with the victim's vehicle in an uninsured motorist claim.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Lowe

Motorcycle Safety: Drivers of Cars And Trucks Have Responsibility Too

David Lowe — Tue, 01 May 2007 01:01:00 GMT

It is appropriate that all of us think about motorcycle safety, those who ride motorcycles, and those who share the roadways with cyclists.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation lists the following tips for car and truck drivers to consider as they approach motorcyclists on the roadways:

QUICK TIPS: Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should 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.

Remember, cars and trucks share the road with motorcycles. We must all do our part to promote highway safety.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Lowe

Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Reduced With Training

David Lowe — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:59:03 GMT

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Many riders will be pulling the tarp off of their machines and hitting the roadways now that Spring is upon us. The National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) stresses that one out of five motorcycle crashes involves an unlicensed, and untrained rider.

This strongly suggests that motorcycle crashes and fatalities would be reduced if more unlicensed motorcycle riders would successfully complete a comprehensive training course and become properly licensed.

Motorcycle rider training includes crash avoidance skills, which emphasize braking, cornering, and swerving, and also focus on developing mental strategies for anticipating and dealing with hazards.

If you are an unlicensed rider do a good thing for yourself and your loved ones and get the training.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by David Lowe