Southeast Missouri Car Accident Lawyer Blog

With the price of fuel still so high, many people are seeking out more economical forms of transportation: more and more Missourians are relying on motorcycles as a regular mode of travel, especially since the weather has been so unseasonably warm this year. Our Cape Girardeau motorcycle accident lawyers want to discuss some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents in southeast Missouri.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents:

• Failure to yield or encroaching on a motorcyclist's right of way
• Lack of riding skills
• Failure to notice a motorcycle
• Failure to appreciate the blind spots for other cars, trucks, buses, and large trucks
• Failure to follow speed limits and other traffic laws
• Lack of stability provided by two-wheel configuration
• Failure to appreciate the abilities of a motorcycle such as size, speed, acceleration abilities and stopping distances

It's crucial that all drivers are mindful of the differences between a motorcycle and other motor vehicles, as they create additional risks for a motorcyclists. The simple difference in size makes a motorcycle easy to miss. To avoid the common causes of motorcycle accidents, riders should take extra precautions: above all, never assume a car "sees" you or is aware of your location.

Tips to Help Prevent Missouri Motorcycle Accidents

• Attend a motorcycle rider training course
• Practice awareness and good defensive driving techniques
• Anticipate what might happen if. . .
• Always check rearview mirrors before changing lanes or stopping
• Ride more cautiously in heavy traffic or inclement weather
• Never operate a motorcycle without the proper motorcycle operator's license
• Drive within your skill set and experience abilities
• Read through your owner's manual to stay familiar with your bike's capabilities
• Wear the right protective clothing to minimize injury if the worst does happen

Continue reading "Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Nationwide" »

Traffic accidents produce a constant need for offering condolences. Everyday someone is seriously injured or killed in a traffic accident. Poplar Bluff Missouri car accident lawyers share in the sorrow over the latest tragedy on our southeast Missouri roadways.

Investigators from the Butler County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are investigating a fatal hit and run accident that occurred Sunday around 10 p.m. August 14. An 18 year-old boy from Poplar Bluff, Mo was riding his motorized scooter on Highway 142. He slowed to make a turn and was struck from behind by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck then fled the scene. The driver of the scooter was pronounced dead. The hit and run traffic accident occurred just east of Poplar Bluff.

Scooter Traffic Safety and Awareness for Southeast Missouri Motorists
Motorized scooters have become a very popular mode of travel. Light weight and with high fuel economy, scooters are a great way to get around. From students to senior citizens, they make a great choice for a quick trip to the store or other errand. They are easy to park and easy to handle, which makes them a great alternative to a motorcycle.

However, like motorcycles they are harder to see and have none of the protective barriers of a car. Another drawback is acceleration and top speed capabilities. Many scooters can only reach 45 mph and most take longer than a motorcycle to accelerate and match traffic speeds. This puts drivers of motorized scooters, motorized bicycles and mopeds at a greater risk for a traffic crash.

Continue reading "Poplar Bluff Missouri Car Accident Lawyers Promote Scooter Traffic Safety and Awareness after Fatal Hit and Run Accident on Missouri Highway 142" »

Motorcycle riders from the Bootheel and all over Southeast Missouri headed west recently in the hopes of raising awareness and decreasing the number of motorcycle accidents in in Southeast Missouri and elsewhere in the state this summer. More than 500 riders from all over Missouri came out for this year's event. A 70-mile ride, beginning and ending in Springfield, took riders through the towns of Nixa, Willard and Republic to help raise awareness of motorcyclists on our roadways.

Our Cape Giradeau motorcycle accident lawyers urge motorists to consider everyone traveling on our roadways as motorcyclists often get overlooked by other motorists. The riding event is held every year in the spring as that is the time when motorist can expect to begin to see more motorcycles on the road. Motorcycle accidents with cars typically result in serious or fatal injuries to the rider. More than half the time the driver of the passenger vehicle is at fault.

The theme of this year's ride was "Can You See Me Now?" The riders organized and titled this event after there were more than 2,000 accidents involving motorcyclists in Missouri in 2010. Nearly 100 of those accidents were deadly, according to American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

A four-year, $3 million study being sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), aims to look deeper into the causes of motorcycle crashes. Oklahoma State University, through the Oklahoma Transportation Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is conducting the survey. It is the first major study into the main causes of motorcycle accidents since 1981, according to BikeWorld.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers tips that every driver know about motorcycles:

-Motorcyclists, often times, seem to be traveling faster than they actually are. This can be credited to the small size of their vehicle. Truth is, they're probably not. Don't assume that all motorcyclists are speed demons.

-Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting instead of hitting the brakes. Downshifting does not activate a brake light. For this reason, drivers should allow more distance between them and a motorcycle when following behind in traffic.

-Be aware of motorcyclists in your blind spots. Because of their small size, they can often get lost in your line of vision. Be sure to be extra cautious of motorcyclists when changing lanes and at intersections.

-Because of their small size, motorcycles often appear to be farther away than they actually are. This can also make it difficult to judge their speed. Always assume that a motorcycle is closer than it appears to be.

-When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as a motorcycle, view it as a person.

-The stopping distance is just about the same for motorcycles as it is for cars. Difference is, they can't stop on slippery roads as easily, as sliding is common for them. Follow at a safe distance as they can't stop as easily as you may be able to.

-While motorcycles have excellent maneuvering abilities, they often adjust their position in lanes to avoid debris and wind from passing vehicles. Understand that these drivers are zigzagging for a purpose and not to be reckless.

-Remember that turn signals on motorcycles are not self-canceling like those on most motor vehicles. Sometimes they may forget to turn them off. Make sure their signal is for real when traveling near these riders.

-Don't ignore them -- and don't crowd them. Practice extra caution, especially at intersections and when changing lanes.

Continue reading "70-Mile Ride to Help Reduce Risks of Motorcycle Accidents in Southeast Missouri" »

Spring seems to be southeast Missouri's favorite season. With the return of balmy weather, everyone is hitting the roads, including avid Cape Girardeau motorcyclists whose treasured bikes have been in the garage all winter long. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents seem to be the unavoidable result. But are they really unavoidable?

Cape Girardeau personal injury lawyers remind everyone that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable on the roads than car and truck drivers, whether wearing a helmet or not. Jackson, Delta, Kennett, Farmington and all southeastern Missouri residents want to keep their loved ones as safe as possible on the roads this spring season.

According to the Hurt Study:
"The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision."

What can you do to help?

Here are some ways to drive more safely and avoid Cape Girardeau motorcycle accidents this year:

1. Always look left-right-left before pulling out of a driveway or making a turn, to spot any motorcycles near you.
2. Motorcycle accidents frequently happen because bikers slow down by downshifting, so there is no brake light to indicate they are slowing. Be aware when following a motorcycle and stay 3-4 seconds behind.
3. Never share a lane with a motorcycle, even if it is driving in the very far side of the lane and there is plenty of room. This is illegal!
4. Motorcycles are more susceptible to bad weather and high winds, so use extra caution under those type of circumstances.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accidents are Back as Southeast Missouri Motorists Celebrate Spring" »