Motorcycle Disability Lawyer

Motorcycle Disability Lawyer

Motorcycle accident injuries are much more likely to cause permanent disabilities than accidents involving other types of vehicles because of the decreased level of protection offered by motorcycles. Disabilities are often physical and mental in nature, and can severely impact a patient’s life. About two thirds of motorcycle accidents involving an automobile were caused by driver of the car. If a motorcycle accident was caused by the carelessness of another driver, an experienced motorcycle disability lawyer may be helpful in recovering costs associated with the accident. Motorcycle Accident Disabilities There are many types of severe motorcycle accident injuries that can cause permanent disability, including: Broken bones Neck injuries Spine Injuries Traumatic brain injuries Injuries to the legs and feet Amputations Impact of Disabilities In many cases, motorcycle accident disabilities cause patients to lose their primary means of income. This can make covering the costs of expensive medical treatments even more difficult. Patients may also need assistance with daily tasks and errands, and may not be able to drive. This can be frustrating and costly, as patients often need to seek the assistance of home care services. Patients may also need to have home modifications in order to accommodate equipment that is needed as a result of the disability, such as a wheelchair ramp or safety bars. Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits If a motorcycle accident was directly caused by the actions of another, it is important to hire an attorney that has extensive experience in handling motorcycle accident cases. A knowledgeable motorcycle injury lawyer will best be able to present the facts regarding the impact of any disability, the cause of the injuries, and the costs to the patient resulting from the disability. If a motorcycle accident was caused by a vehicle malfunction, a motorcycle accident lawyer will understand the steps to take in order to successfully obtain compensation from the vehicle manufacturer or parts distributor.     Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsMotorcycleSafety/...

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Universal Helmet Law

Universal Helmet Law

Universal helmet laws state that all motorcycle riders and motorcycle passengers must wear helmets while riding, regardless of age. Partial helmet laws define certain groups of people who are required to wear helmets while riding, such as riders below a certain age. Helmet laws vary by state, as each state imposes and regulates its own motorcycle helmet laws. Universal Helmet Laws by State As of February 2014, 19 states and the District of Columbia maintain a universal helmet law. Partial helmet laws are in place in 28 states. There are three states have no motorcycle helmet laws. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists each state and their current motorcycle helmet laws. Florida Motorcycle Helmet Laws Florida does not have a universal helmet law, rather it requires helmets in certain circumstances. Motorcycle riders aged 20 or younger are required to wear helmets. Those who are 21 and older who have less than $10,000 medical insurance coverage are also required to wear helmets. Universal Helmet Law Statistics Data indicates that a universal helmet law has a significant impact on helmet use and motorcycle injuries and deaths in each state. According to the CDC, enactment of a universal helmet law significantly increases the use of helmets among motorcyclists. Furthermore, repealing a universal helmet law results in a significant decrease in the use of helmets. With a decrease in helmet use comes an inevitable increase in reported motorcycle injuries and deaths. Motorcycle Accident Deaths A universal helmet law shows a direct statistical impact on the number of motorcycle deaths in each state. Findings published in the American Journal of Public Health show that universal helmet laws were associated with a reduction in motorcycle deaths by roughly 11 percent. Furthermore, states that imposed a universal helmet law then repealed the law saw an estimated 12 percent increase in motorcycle deaths. Universal Helmet Law Controversy Universal helmet laws can be a cause for controversy within a state. Those who support universal helmet law argue that more lives can be saved through helmet use. Those who oppose universal helmet law argue that mandatory helmet use may actually contribute to certain types of head and neck injuries. Additionally, many believe that mandatory helmet use is an infringement on an individual’s constitutional freedom of choice.     Sources: Houston, David J., and Lilliard E. Richardson. “Motorcycle Safety and the Repeal of Universal Helmet Laws.” American Journal of Public Health. 97.11 (2007): 2063-2069. Print. “Motorcycle Safety Guide: Universal Helmet Laws Increase Helmet Use.” CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Jun 2012. Web. 5 Feb 2014....

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Traction Control Systems

Traction Control Systems

There are a number of technological advancements and safety features on today’s motorcycles. One of the newer developments in motorcycle performance and safety is traction control. Traction control is known for its ability to help riders manage significant horsepower. It also enhances safety in poor driving conditions. Originally designed for high-powered vehicles, traction control is a feature that is increasingly expected on new motorcycles models. What Is Traction Control? Traction is essentially the grip that tires have on the road. When there are unfavorable conditions, such as wet or sandy roads, a car or motorcycle is more likely to lose tire grip. As a result, the vehicle is likely to lose control and experience an accident. Traction control is an electronic mechanism that limits how much power a motorcycle exerts at given times. As a result, motorcycle riders are less likely to experience wheel slipping while receiving added control during acceleration. How Traction Control Works Traction control is an electronic feature that uses the wheel-speed sensor system that is used by the motorcycle’s anti-lock brake system. The sensors are designed to measure differences in the rotation speed of the motorcycle’s wheels. By measuring rotation speeds, the system can determine if the wheels that are receiving power have lost their traction. Regaining Traction If one wheel spins faster than the other, the system automatically applies the brake to that wheel. This reduces the wheel’s speed and decreases wheel slip. Some traction control systems also reduce the amount of power being supplied to the slipping wheel. The process is carefully modulated to provide just enough action for the tire to regain traction without affecting other aspects of the motorcycle’s functioning. Due to the fact that traction control systems can “piggyback” on anti-lock brake systems, the feature is commonplace in today’s motorcycles. Traction control systems are available on a wide variety of vehicles. They are designated using a series of names and acronyms. While each system may vary slightly in operation, all of these systems refer to the same type of mechanical process of detecting and preventing loss of traction while vehicles are on the road. Traction control may be recognized as the following names: Traction Control System (TCS) Traction Control (TC) Electronic Traction Control (ETC) Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Electronic Stability Program...

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Motorcycle Flat Tire Safety and Prevention

Motorcycle Flat Tire Safety and Prevention

If you have ever experienced a high-speed tire blowout in your car, it is fairly easy to imagine how much worse that loss of control would be if you were on two wheels instead of four. According to the Hurt Report, an investigative report that dissected causes of motorcycle crashes in 1981, only about 3 percent of motorcycle crashes are due to blowouts. No matter the percentage, nobody wants to be part of that statistic. Motorcycle Tire Safety Today we’re going to touch on some things that you can do to make it safely through a blowout on your motorcycle if you are unlucky enough to experience one. Perform Safety Checks and Maintenance The best offense in this case is definitely a good defense. Replace your tires when they’re worn and check them out each time that you ride to make sure that there is no damage or bald spots. It is better to avoid a blowout altogether than to figure out what to do once one happens. Also, be sure you are familiar with how to change a motorcycle flat tire in the event that it is needed. Pay Attention When you are riding, you should always have one ear on your bike so that you can hear any changes in motor, exhaust or road noise. One common sign of a motorcycle flat tire is a humming noise. You may also feel a wobble. If it is in the rear, you may feel like you are losing power. Slow Down and Pull Over Don’t wait. If you think that you are getting a motorcycle flat tire, immediately let off the gas and look for a pull-off spot. Don’t grab the brakes, change directions or downshift quickly; you want to roll smoothly to a stop. If you are sure which tire is flat, gently apply the brakes to the opposite tire unless you’ve got inter-linked brakes. Stay Balanced Don’t panic and get squirrely or try to look at the tire. Just sit tight, maintain your balance and focus on coming to a smooth, safe stop. Evaluate any issues or damage once you are safely stopped and out of harm’s way. Don’t Ride with a Flat Tire If you are fortunate enough to be able to fix a motorcycle flat tire, do so. If you can’t, you need to wait for a tow. It is not safe to ride your bike with a flat and you’ll damage your rim and ruin what may be a fixable tire. It is just not worth it. Ride Smart The more you ride, the more likely your motorcycle will get a flat tire. We hope that these motorcycle tire tips will help you if that happens. Take good care of your motorcycle, listen and feel for changes, and don’t panic. With a bit of luck, you’ll be back on the road in no...

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