What Makes A Police Officer Pull Over A Motorcyclist
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has dealt with law enforcement in any capacity that not all officers are the same and their actions and the way they treat people are not uniform. There are many variables that could influence how your interaction with a police officer goes, or whether you have an interaction with one at all. Since there are no hard-and-fast rules or official how-to guide for dealing with law enforcement as a rider, sometimes all you can do is turn to anecdotal advice and a bit of common sense. According to a Police Officer…
What To Do Before And After An Accident
The road is unpredictable, and accidents can happen at any time. There are several different aspects of accident preparedness; legal, insurance and knowing what to do immediately after an accident. If you do get involved in an accident, it’s always best to have all your ducks in a row from a legality standpoint. This means not only having proof your abiding by all laws when the accident occurred, but also knowing who you can call for legal assistance if you’re ever injured. Insurance is not something you can get retroactively. Being proactive with your insurance coverage can help ensure that…
What Do I Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Most articles that you will read concerning what to do after a motorcycle accident pertain specifically to documenting the scene, seeing a doctor and calling an attorney – but what should you do with your bike? After an accident, your motorcycle could be totaled, or it may just have minor cosmetic damage. Whether you should pay for those damages out of your own pocket, file a claim with your insurer or file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company depends on who was at fault and how serious the damage is. If you’re in a single vehicle accident (you lowside…
What To Do With Your Motorcycle After An Accident
You never want to think about getting in a crash, but like any possible emergency, it’s important to know what to do in the event the unexpected strikes – like knowing how to put out a grease fire, perform CPR, or administer minor burn relief. It is similarly important to know what to do to protect yourselflegally in the event you are in a car, motorcycle, or truck crash. Most Importantly – Get out of harm’s way (if you are able) and call 911 to get responders to the scene. If you are able, check on others and ensure they…
Motorcyclists Win A Victory In North Carolina House Of Representatives
On March 27th, House Bill 257, a bill exempting motorcyclists from theNorth Carolina prohibition against wearing masks in public, passed out of the House of Representatives. The bill now moves to the Senate. If it successfully passes the Senate, it will go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. Current law prohibits wearing masks in public places, to include public roadways. That means that motorcyclists in North Carolina who are covering their face with neoprene face coverings or bandanas in order to protect themselves from cold, wind, or sun are in violation of North Carolina law. The purpose…
Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
Should you call amotorcycle injury lawyer if the facts are on your side and your damages fall below the responsible driver’s policy limits? Insurance companies would prefer to not cover your claim, regardless of whose negligence caused your accident and injuries. They may attempt to deny your claim or offer to pay less than you need to cover your lost wages and medical bills. Insurance companies aren’t renowned for their generosity. If they are attempting to pay you less than the full cost of your medical bills or they attempt to suggest you were actually fully or partially responsible for…
POA Communication After A Motorcycle Accident Injury
People involved in all types of auto accidents can be injured so severely that they are either knocked unconscious or are put under anesthesia shortly after the accident occurs. There may also be situations where a person isn’t entirely unconscious but they’re also incapable of making informed decisions for themselves due to a head injury. The risk of those types of injuries is a lot higher for motorcyclists than it is for other motorists due to the nature of riding. People on motorcycles aren’t surrounded by steel and airbags to protect them in an accident, so head and spine injuries…
Should Vehicle Drivers Learn Motorcycle Laws
Other than equipment laws and a handful of laws pertaining to lane sharing, and in some states traffic lights, there really aren’t that many different laws that are specific to motorcycle riders. However, there are a lot of informal rules of the road motorcyclists follow. Many of these rules keep riders safe from passenger car and truck drivers, and as a courtesy to riders it would be nice if more people were aware of them. Motorcycle Hand Signals Drivers Should Know Any car or truck driver unfamiliar with the hand signals motorcyclists use to communicate on the road may want…
The Evolution Of Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Motorcycles have been a fixture in American culture since the end of World War II, when thousands of veterans who rode during wartime came home. The second World War wasn’t the first time motorcycles had been used in war – in fact the U.S. military used motorcycles (Harley-Davidson’s to be specific) with sidecars during their hunt for Pancho Villa in 1916. During World War I, half of Harley-Davidson’s bike output – approximately 20,000 – were sent oversees so commanders could quickly send messages via motorcycles.1 But it wasn’t until WWII when bikes became a huge part of the war effort….
Motorcycle Exhaust Noise Laws
Motorcycle Noise Laws and How They Affect Riders in North Carolina and Virginia Many states don’t have statewide motorcycle noise restrictions on a decibel level, but they do require working mufflers or sound dissipative devices, often either OEM or a comparable replacement. Many states also outlaw cutouts and bypasses for highway driving. North Carolina Law Exhaust Systems (§ 20-128) Vehicles (including motorcycles) can’t be driven on the highway unless they are equipped with a working muffler or exhaust system “of the type installed at the time of manufacture” Muffler cutouts are illegal on highways Motorcycles manufactured after 1967 are required…