What Motorcyclists Need to Know About Crashes and Injuries

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and while it's always important to ride as safely as possible, our friends at O'Connor & Partners are helping us remind both motorcyclists and drivers of passenger vehicles of some key safety tips.

The sobering reality is that, per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely than people in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash. Less experienced drivers are more likely to be injured or killed in crashes than those with several years of riding experience under their belts.

Here are some key motorcycle safety tips to keep in mind:

1) Avoid distracted driving/riding. Whether you're in a passenger vehicle or a motorcycle, distractions can cause a lot of harm. Avoid driving when you're tired, under the influence, texting, eating or drinking, etc. That one text or phone call isn't worth someone's life.

2) Take a defensive driving course. Motorcycle crashes tend to happen when one vehicle is turning left, running a red light or stop sign, speeding, tailgating or driving recklessly. Although you cannot control other drivers on the road, you can learn how to minimize the danger they pose with a defensive driving course.

3) Wear protective gear and make sure your bike is in good working order. Common injuries in Hudson Valley motorcycle crashes are road rash, concussions or traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, broken bones, spinal cord injuries and internal organ damage. Wearing helmets and other protective gear can help prevent many of those.

So what happens if you are injured in a motorcycle crash or if a loved one is killed in a motorcycle crash? If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, according to O'Connor & Partners. If someone died due to someone else's negligence, their family has two years from the date of the accident to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

If you think you or a loved one might have a claim, call O’Connor & Partners at 845-303-8777 or visit them online here today! They are the most experienced injury attorneys in the Hudson Valley, winning millions for their clients.