The weather is still warn and as we enter October, there continues to be a large number of motorcycles getting those last miles in. This weekend has seen a couple of collisions that again reminds us that the ryders need to watch out , in the same way that we need to keep seeing motorcycles.
- Saturday afternoon, a motorcycle rear-ended a truck that was slowing to turn off of Highway 22 onto County Road 29 in Mapleton. Both the driver and passenger were hospitalized.
- Friday evening, a motorcycle hit the drivers side door of a vehicle and the bike attempted to pass and the truck turned left at U.S. Highway 71 and Todd County Road 73, north of Bertha. The driver was hospitalized when he was thrown from the bike.
There is an interesting website that should be reviewed by all riders. The things I found interesting were:
The typical reasons why cars don’t see motorcycles-
Most car drivers aren’t familiar with motorcycles, so they don’t think to look for them in traffic.
Motorcycle riders typically wear dark colors and can easily blend into the background and "disappear."
Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, so they are more difficult to spot in traffic and can be hidden by other vehicles or roadside features.
Daytime headlight use does not give motorcycle riders much of an advantage anymore, due to the widespread use of daytime running lights on cars.
The smaller size and single headlight on the motorcycle makes it more difficult for other drivers to judge a rider’s speed and distance.
And tips for motorists:
Watch aggressively for motorcycles.
Anticipate hazards that may confront the motorcyclist and predict how the motorcyclist may react to the situation.
Allow a minimum two-second "space cushion" when following a motorcycle.
Watch out when turning left.
Share the road.
Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
It’s clear that the road is big enough for every one. Let’s make sure we look out for each other.
While there is may not be a liability claim for the driver , passengers may still have a claim for liability depending on the facts of the collision. It is important that these case be investigated early by an Attorney who does this type of work. Hopefully, both of these people will heal up quickly.
