New York Law Firm Offers Tips for Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - May 09, 2017) - Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than other motorists. New York law firm Kaplan Lawyers PC said that, while motorcyclists know how vulnerable they are on the roads, other drivers might not realize how big a role their actions play in keeping bikers safe.

"People drive alongside motorcycles every day," said John Tucker, director of claims management at Kaplan Lawyers PC. "However, many drivers don't think twice about how susceptible motorcyclists are to injuries in crashes. By promoting greater motorcycle safety awareness, we can greatly reduce the number of preventable crashes."

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and drivers are encouraged to share the road in the safest manner possible. Tucker said that gaining a basic understanding of how motorcycles work, other motorists can reduce the chances of being involved in a collision with a motorcycle.

For example, Tucker said that drivers look for brake lights to know when most vehicles slow down, but motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting, which isn't signaled by a brake light. Even the turn signals operate differently on motorcycles than on other vehicles. While a car's turn signal automatically switches off after a car makes a turn, many motorcycles don't have that feature.

"Knowing these basic facts makes drivers more aware when sharing the road with motorcycles," Tucker said. "That knowledge could prevent a collision."

Tucker said that another key thing for drivers to keep in mind is giving a motorcyclist adequate room on the road.

"Always give bikers plenty of space," Tucker said. "Leave them a full lane and don't follow too closely. Judging the speed and distance of a motorcycle is slightly different than it is with other vehicles, so it's extremely important to leave distance between your vehicle and a motorcycle."

Nearly 5,000 people died in motorcycle crashes and 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2015. Tucker said that by promoting safer road sharing habits, we can make that number much lower.

About Kaplan Lawyers PC
The attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers PC help clients in legal matters ranging from personal injury claims to workers' compensation disputes. They have locations in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County. Visit the Kaplan Lawyers PC website to learn more.

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