Oregon Motorcycle Injury Lawyers Support Safety Awareness Month
Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) May 29, 2014 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has deemed May “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month” and is reminding all motor vehicle operators to look out for, and share the road with, motorcycle riders. The NHTSA believes getting the word out about safe riding practices, helmet use and cooperation from all drivers will reduce fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.
Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC., Portland, Oregon based motorcycle accident injury lawyers have over 35 years of combined expertise handling motorcycle accident and injury cases. The firm agrees with the importance of motorcycle accident prevention through education and awareness of all motor vehicle drivers who follow the same rules of the road.
Attorney John Coletti of Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys believes that many people haven’t been properly educated as to how to legally and safely share the roads with motorcycles. “Motor vehicle operators need to be attentive to motorcycle riders and realize that they observe the same motor vehicle laws,” says Coletti. “Statistically speaking, approximately 80% of motorcycle accidents are caused when a motor vehicle turns left in front of a motorcyclist who had the right of way.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx, explains that May was selected for Motorcycle Safety Awareness because “motorcyclists will be out in force as the weather gets warmer.” Secretary Foxx maintains that because all (drivers) need to ‘Share the Road,’ his agency needs to do what it can to bring more awareness to motorcyclists to save lives.
“Unfortunately, a serious problems occurs when people are distracted or don’t watch out for a motorcycle. This error can have dangerous consequences for a motorcycle rider and result in very serious injuries. Any and all safety awareness initiatives that encourage good riding and driving practices for motorcycle riders and drivers alike are a help.”
The NHTSA suggests that motorcyclists practice the following best practices:
• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
• Never ride distracted or impaired.
• Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride in the middle of the lane where you will be more visible to drivers.
• Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
The NHTSA suggests that motor vehicle drivers do the following:
• Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
• Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
• Always allow more following distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• Motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
Motorcyclists in Oregon and Washington State who were injured in a motorcycle accident and were injured as the result of negligence are encouraged to consult the Oregon motorcycle injury lawyers at Paulson Coletti to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
About Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC
Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is a noted Portland, Oregon personal injury law firm serving individuals harmed by the negligence or legal fault of others in Oregon and Washington. The attorneys, Charles Paulson, Jane Paulson and John Coletti specialize in serious catastrophic injury cases, and have won multiple million-dollar verdicts in Oregon and Washington. The firm has extensive Oregon community involvement and is a silver sponsor for the Center for Women, Politics & Policy. Learn more about Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC at http://www.PaulsonColetti.com
Nicki Gauthier, Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, http://www.paulsoncoletti.com, +1 805-680-5009, [email protected]
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