Motorcycles are different from cars in many ways. One of the more marked differences between automobiles and motorcycles is size. Motorcyclists are likely to enter a driver’s blind spot. Passenger car operators often complain about never having seen a motorcycle at all before crashing into it. Countless Florida motorcyclists lose their lives after being struck by automobile drivers due to visibility issues every year.
High-visibility clothing can greatly reduce your chance of ending up in a collision. A study published in the British Medical Journal in May 2019 revealed how motorcyclists were 37% less likely to become involved in a crash when a rider wore fluorescent or high-visibility clothing as opposed to other colors. The researchers found that neon vests, bright-colored shirts, and decorative helmets could greatly increase a motorcyclist’s chance of being noticed by drivers and significantly reduce their risk of being struck.
The 1981 Hurt Report, a publication of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), showed that 75% of motorcycle accidents involved passenger vehicles. That same report highlighted how the leading cause of motorcycle accidents could be attributed to motorists failing to detect or recognize oncoming motorcyclists.
While motorcyclists need to wear high-visibility clothing in the interest of safety, research shows that using their headlights can save their lives as well. The researchers noted that motorcyclists should definitively do this at night.
Motorcyclists can also reduce their risk of injury by adjusting what they wear to match the season. The researchers found that some colors are more visible at different times of the year and in certain weather conditions.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, then you may be entitled to monetary compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses. Proving negligence isn’t easy. Sarasota personal injury attorney can recommend what steps you should take to get the best settlement possible in your Sarasota case if you’ve been hurt.
