Driving responsibly on your motorcycle

There are a higher number of motorcyclists on Seattle’s roads in the summer due to the nice weather and many outdoor events. However, this means that as a motorcyclist, your chance of getting into a catastrophic or fatal accident increases.

Motorcycle accident victims typically experience more severe injuries than those in larger vehicles, such as cars, trucks or buses. This doesn’t mean you should not ride your motorcycle, particularly if you find it a fun and enjoyable hobby, but there are many things you can do to decrease your chance of an accident.

Legal requirements for motorcyclists

Washington state law requires motorcyclists to obtain a license endorsement to ride their motorcycle. Riders with this endorsement are shown to be involved in a lower number of fatal accidents compared with riders without the endorsement.

You should wear a helmet. The law requires you to wear a helmet, unless your motorcycle has a steering wheel, seat belts and an enclosed seating area, but always wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the severity of injuries in an accident.

Your motorcycle must have left- and right-side mirrors to give you a full view of the highway at least 200 feet behind you. There are also various other legal requirements that you should be aware of and follow.

Consider a motorcycle training course

Although a motorcycle training course is not legally required, you could still benefit from taking one. Research shows that 75% of motorcycle accident victims did not take a training course.

No matter how safe and responsible you are, you cannot control other drivers on the road, which can lead to an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. You may find yourself suffering from major injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.

Luckily, compensation for these and other expenses may be available to you under the law through a personal injury action. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess your situation and provide valuable advice.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matt Dubin has spent more than 20 years honing his skills as one of the top personal injury lawyers in the State of Washington. In his career, Matt has focused on protecting consumers from dangerous household products, medical mistakes, roadway accidents, and many other causes of injury. Matt has recovered nearly $20 million on behalf of his clients.

Education

• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

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