Two long-time friends were killed in a recent Queens motorcycle accident, according to NY Daily News. The two were riding tandem on a motorcycle when they slammed into the back of an SUV attempting to make a U-turn in front of them. It happened at about 4:30 p.m. on 20th Avenue near 24th Street in Astoria.
The male motorcyclist was driving on a suspended license and was not driving a registered bike. He reportedly accelerated his motorcycle to pass the SUV, but clipped it. Both riders were thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene.
Our Queens motorcycle accident lawyers understand that motorcyclists stand virtually no chance against the weight, size and power of a passenger vehicle. The sheer size is enough to crumple a bike upon impact. Aside from size, passenger car occupants are provided with much more protection in the event of an accident. Motorcyclists have nothing but themselves, their helmet and the road. It’s more often than not an unfortunate outcome.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, there were close to 5,500 motorcycle accidents in the state in 2011. Most of the traffic accidents witnessed in the state in 2011 occurred on a Friday while the most fatalities were witnessed on Saturday.
To help to reduce the risks of motorcycle accidents, officials with the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program (NYMSP), offer the Basic RiderCourse for beginning motorcyclists and Basic RiderCourses 2 for riders who are interested in improving their current riding skills.
Officials are expecting more than 15,000 motorcyclists to attend these training courses each year throughout the state. But that’s not enough.
Before you enroll in a motorcycle safety course, it’s a good idea to read over the following tips. They don’t take the place of a course, but these tips could save your life.
-Remember that about 90 percent of motorcyclists that are involved in accidents have undergone absolutely no formal riding training.
-About half of the motorcyclists involved in accidents are unlicensed or are improperly licensed.
-Before heading out, make sure you’ve got the appropriate gear — to keep you safe and protected.
-Try to stand out. Wear brightly-colored and reflective clothing to make sure that other drivers can see you easily.
-Stay awake. You never want to hop on a bike while feeling drowsy.
-Inspect your bike before each time your take it out.
-Always ride sober. Alcohol and drugs can impair your judgment and wind up causing a potentially fatal accident.
-Don’t speed; know the local traffic laws and rules of the road.
-Be considerate of other travelers out there.
-Invest in anti-lock brakes. Now available on a wide array of models, anti-lock brakes are a proven lifesaver. Insurance Institute data show that motorcycles equipped with ABS brakes were 37 percent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than bikes without it.
-Take some time to reacquaint yourself with your bike. Practice basic techniques such as braking, shifting, turning and swerving in an empty parking lot or other safe area before going on the road.
If you need the advice of an experienced car accident attorney, call for a free no-obligation appointment at 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
More Blog Entries:
New York Personal Injury Watch: McIlroy v. Gibson’s Says that Causation in Motorcycle Accidents Can be Analyzed Broadly, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, May 15, 2012
Drivers Admit to Fatigue, Put Other Motorists at Risks of Drowsy Driving Accidents in New York, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, September 19, 2011
