Aug 24, 2018 | Motorcycle
When it comes to motorcycle manners and etiquette, there are some things that are sacred. Having proper etiquette on your motorcycle means that you’re following the law, driving considerately, and showing courtesy towards other riders and drivers. By being a responsible motorcyclist, you help to kill the biker stigma, keep yourself safe, and make drivers and riders aware of the moves you might be making. Therefore, using motorcycle manners and etiquette can do a lot for you, and other people on the roadway.
Motorcycle Manners and Etiquette: Breaking Biker Bias & Being Considerate
Be mindful of other bikers when coming up close
The first rule of motorcycle manners is to be respectful of other bikers’ space. When approaching another biker, don’t ride up too closely. If you want to pass, give them the signal that you’re going to do so. You don’t want to make the other driver angry, anxious, or nervous by riding too close. So, give them space just like you’d want. Furthermore, give them enough time to respond and react to your signals when you give them. By respecting their space, they’ll be more likely to respect you, and your space.
Wave
Yep, it’s that simple. When you’re riding around other motorcyclists— waving or giving a quick nod is customary, and a sign of respect. By doing this, you’re showing that you see them, and you’re aware of their space. Many motorcyclists will make more of a habit to wave at someone on the same brand of bike as theirs. But, waving at any and all is a sign of respect that can go a long way.
How these signs and symbols can help reduce biker bias
The images that come to mind (for most) of bikers are particularly destructive to the motorcycle community. While we are aware that motorcyclists are just your every day bankers, doctors, moms, dads, and so forth— the stigma of inconsiderate speed demons is quite a popular one. Therefore, by showing that the motorcycle community is, in fact, a community, and not a gang of lawless bandits— you help to strengthen the idea of normal people who love bikes. Help to show that, we too, have manners like the rest of the drivers on the road.
Aug 8, 2018 | Motorcycle
Anyone who rides a motorcycle knows how great it can be. It’s a liberating way to enjoy beautiful weather, see beautiful places, and experience the thrill of the open air. Riders do so in a number of ways; some do their daily commute on a motorcycle, and some use it as a weekend getaway. No matter what you prefer, you always buy a motorcycle with more in mind than just functionality. However, the fun can quickly come to a halt when you begin to experience motorcycle-related back pain. Although there are many positives to riding, back pain is most definitely a down side.
Motorcycle-Related Back Pain: Cause and Prevention
The most important thing to know is that motorcycle-related back pain can stem from a number of different things. From posture, to support, and even weight— depending on the way you ride, and what you ride, there could be a number of causes.
What bikes are best?
So, if you’re looking to purchase a bike, and back support is a priority for you, look into your standard bike. Cruisers and Sport bikes offer much less support. Standard bikes force the rider to sit up straight, and provide that little bit of support that trains you to have good posture atop your bike. Your second best option is a cruiser. Cruisers also have that bit of support that allows for an upright posture, limiting the amount of stress. However, a sport bike forces the rider to lean forward. Thus, offering the most stress on your back and the least support.
Other factors in causing pain
There are plenty of other factors that can lead to motorcycle-related back pain. For instance, a rider’s weight may lead to discomfort in that they have to handle the bike accordingly. Furthermore, the positioning of your bike parts can cause issues. If your handlebars, seat, and foot pegs aren’t in the correct places— the way you have to sit to handle your bike can be damaging to your posture. Many people don’t think to customize their parts to their body. However, it’s worth the investment to make your riding experience a little more unique to you, and the needs of your own body.
Riding a motorcycle is a liberating feeling, and one that many people chase after. But when that bike leads to back trouble— the appeal can sink quickly. That’s where picking the right bike, positioning, and parts can make all the difference. A bike can mean back pain for many, but it doesn’t have to be that way for you.
Jul 27, 2018 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Accidents
A small fender bender typically doesn’t do massive amounts of damage to the drivers involved. Typically, at worst, they’ll face a bit of whiplash and residual headaches. However, when it comes to rear-ending motorcycles, the damage can be quite serious. Think about it: when you rear-end a car, it typically lurches a bit and stops. Then, you’ll have a cracked bumper, but typically, everyone— and even the vehicles, will be able to drive away. However, on a motorcycle? That hit can result in the rider ejecting from the bike and into your windshield, or even the roadway. These accidents are serious and, when they occur, they can cause quite a bit of damage.
Rear-Ending Motorcycles: A Dangerous Incident
There’s no denying that either party can be at-fault in this scenario. Bikers, just like drivers, must take responsibility for their own safety. However, bikers are already at a disadvantage when it comes to safety. One additional fact to consider, is that they don’t quite have as much ability to keep a strong following distance as passenger vehicles do. When driving in traffic, we can do a lot with out vehicles to keep our own space. From increasing your own following distance, to giving that quick ‘brake check’ to the driver who can’t seem to grasp the idea that you don’t control the pace of traffic. Motorcyclists can increase their own following distance, but if someone is riding them closely— they don’t have that same luxury of giving a warning tap to the brakes.
This can be quite dangerous for motorcyclists, as I’m sure you already guessed. There are plenty of ways in which this can result in an accident. For instance, they hit the brakes and the car driver does not slow down. Instead, the rear-end the motorcyclist. When you’re in a passenger vehicle, and you perform a brake check, you typically accept that the other driver might hit you. It’s part of that little game we play. An accident isn’t the ideal end result, but we are trying to prove a point… right? But when it comes to brake checking that leads to rear-ending motorcycles? The biker isn’t quite in the driver’s seat— no pun intended…
There is a quite a bit of bias that comes up towards motorcyclists
Being a motorcyclist comes with a few distinct challenges. Many of them are on the roadway, but another serious challenge— typically arises when they least expect it. Biker bias is very much an issue within the justice system, and amongst jurors. The problem with this, is not that bikers dislike the image others have of them. Rather, the problem is that that image leads to jury bias when they need it the very least.
In the unfortunate instance where a motorcyclist, or their family, ends up in court to reach a settlement for injuries or death— jury bias can be particularly harmful. Let’s face it: most people on that jury likely drove a passenger vehicle to get there. Therefore, they likely have a certain image in their mind when they think of bikers and the way in which they drive. These biases do not typically apply to the average biker. However, they can be harmful to them when they are in the court room.
If you, or someone you know, has been injured in a motorcycle accident— you deserve proper representation when going before an unintentionally stacked jury. So, do your research, find the right fit for you, and get the compensation you deserve. You should not have to pay for the damages caused by another driver. Especially at the hands of a misunderstanding jury. We wish you luck in handling your case, and offer our services if you might need them.
Jun 1, 2018 | General, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Accidents
When it comes to motorcycles, passenger car drivers have plenty of complaints. From the sound, how they share the road, and the stigma of how they drive. There’s no doubt about it, your everyday driver likely has a little bit of an aversion to motorcyclists. But, there a few common complaints bikers have for you too…
Common Complaints Bikers Have for Passenger Vehicle Drivers
Driver’s Who Don’t Use Their Turn Signals
One of the most common biker complaints is when driver’s don’t use their turn signals. By using your signals, you give a rider behind your or turning in front of you a heads up. Without it, they must gauge whether you are slowing down or not. Or the only warning they get, is when your brake lights come on right before you stop. This is especially dangerous for bikers because stopping on a dime can be quite difficult— much more difficult than for a passenger vehicle.
Poor Road Conditions
Another cause for biker complaints comes from poor road conditions. As you know when driving in your car, hitting a huge pothole is not fun. For larger vehicles, they can cause some alignment issues and may just be uncomfortable. Now, imagine hitting one on a motorcycle. First, they can be even more uncomfortable and can cause cosmetic and actual damage to your bike. But much more, they are dangerous for bikers. Any type of holes and debris can do a number on motorcycles. Therefore, poor road conditions can pose a huge threat to bikers.
Wiper Fluid Hits Them In the Face
Have you ever been traveling down the road and you have a huge bug hits your windshield. Rather than riding down the road with his guts in plain view, you spray your windshield and have the wipers take care of it. But as you get your window clean, a biker receives a nice wash down from all the fluid that you just washed off. As you can imagine, having a mysterious fluid whip you in the face randomly, is not a fun feeling. Likewise, a leftover cigarette butt that’s flies from the driver’s window and into your face isn’t fun either. These can act as distractions, and make it difficult for the biker to focus in on the road.
Squeezing Them Out
Finally, possibly the most important of common complaints bikers have is that drivers squeeze them out. For the most part, bikers should be making calculated moves when driving through traffic. If they weave through traffic or a stopped intersection, it’s normally for a safer purpose. So when you see them making these moves, and you move over to block them out, it’s frustrating. Yes, bikes are smaller. Yes, they can fit in spaces your vehicle will not be able to fit in. So allow them to do so, and avoid blocking them out. You never know what they’re seeing that you’re not.
These complaints may not mean a lot to car drivers, but bikers are drivers too; they are members of the road as well. So, cooperate. No driver is perfect, and they will make mistakes. But, part of being a good driver means making adjustments and being observant of other members of the roadway. So, drive safe, drive smart, and watch out for motorcyclists.
May 22, 2018 | Motorcycle
A vehicle crash can be very hectic. You have a list of things to accomplish, people to contact, and making sure you’re okay. When you’re involved in a motorcycle crash, all of these issues become much more serious. So, what comes first on the list? After checking for injury, collecting evidence should be next on the list. A motorcycle accident is almost always more serious than a passenger vehicle accident. So, taking this step on your own might be difficult. However, if you can, it’s imperative to your case.
Collecting Evidence after Motorcycle Crash: If You Can, Do So A.S.A.P.
After a motorcycle accident occurs, the pieces of evidence have to come together like a puzzle. One piece of the puzzle is determining fault. We hope the accident was no fault of your own, and in this scenario— let’s say that you were not at-fault, and also were capable of collecting evidence. Being that you are not at fault, having any piece of evidence that shows full or partial fault on part of the other party can make your case easier to win. You can hope for witnesses, but ultimately, the only way to ensure a good job— is to do it yourself.
What if I’m not sure who’s at fault?
If there is no solid evidence of whose fault it is, the case gets trickier to prove. Even the most experienced motorcycle accident/injury attorneys have difficulty proving the other party was wholly negligent when there is no strong evidence against them. This is primarily what makes evidence collection so important. Because these issues can arise, it’s important to share every detail with your attorney.
What steps should I take in an accident situation?
If by some bad luck, you find yourself in a motorcycle accident, there are a few things you can do to help collect evidence. After calling 911, take photos on your injuries, the road conditions, and the other vehicles involved. Next, get the names and phone numbers for all other parties and any witnesses. And finally, as soon as you can, write down everything you remember. Even the smallest details need to be written down while they are fresh in your memory. You never know what piece of evidence you might be hoarding away in those forgotten details.
There is no such thing as having too much evidence. The more you can remember, the easier it is for us to help you win your case. It is always better to have more than enough evidence, opposed to not enough.
May 1, 2018 | Motorcycle
If you ride motorcycles, you know that group motorcycle riding can quickly become one of your favorite pastimes. It’s just you, like-minded people, and the open road— what could be better than that? Group motorcycle riding is a fun to do, but not all car drivers see it that way. In fact, many Americans that own passenger cars think of riders as reckless people on the road. On the other hand, riders are responsible people who just want their share of the road. Because of the bad stereotype against motorcyclists, car drivers often do not fully share the road with them. At any rate, when motorcyclists ride in groups they are at risk because cars can drive aggressively around the group.
Group Motorcycle Riding: Kicking the Stereotype
Seeing a group of motorcyclists should not become a headache for any other vehicles on the road. However, many cars remain intimidated when a large group of riders take to the road. In turn, they might slow down, speed up, block you out, or begin to drive aggressively. When riding in groups, riders generally stay in a formation, and only pass other vehicles individually. Sadly, car drivers may try to break the group up by not letting another rider over. If a car begins to drive aggressively, it can be a potential threat for riders.
Adjusting to potentially aggressive drivers
Although we cannot control what car drivers do, we can control how we react to aggressive driving. No doubt, group motorcycle riding is safer than riding alone. However, with aggressive drivers, it is best to break formation if a car drives dangerously. Although it may disrupt the enjoyment of the ride, safety is always a priority. It only takes one car driving with aggression to cause a wreck that ends with serious injuries. In other words, it is important that safety is still a priority while also enjoying the group ride.
Accounting for the driving habits of others is difficult, and cannot always be accurate. However, these small adjustments might just be the thing that saves you, or your riding buddies, from a potentially severe accident. So, drive safe, have fun, and keep an eye out. You never know what might lie on the road ahead when group motorcycle riding.
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