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, South 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…
Three Wheeled Automobiles
This month, theMotorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) announced the introduction of a letter to theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the current federal definition of motorcycles. NHTSA defines a motorcycle as a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. With the recent proliferation of three-wheeled automobiles such as the Polaris Slingshot and the Campagna T-Rex, this definition is no longer adequate. A motor vehicle equipped with a foot-controlled accelerator and a steering wheel should not fall…
Motorcycle Fatalities
Nationwide Decline for Motorcycle Fatalities On Wednesday, October 3rd, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its preliminary report on 2017 traffic fatalities. After two consecutive years of rising fatalities, 2017 saw a 1.1% decrease nationwide in overall traffic fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities, which also increased in both 2015 and 2016, saw a 3.1% decrease in 2017. That is certainly welcomed news. It is important to point out that the report represents the preliminary data. We will be able to better identify trends and causative factors in the next couple of months after NHTSA releases its full report on traffic…
Tips To Keep Your Motorcycle Running In Top Shape
Keeping your bike in proper working order helps keep you safe on the road. Some riders like to handle nearly all types of maintenance on their own, while others trust the big service jobs to professional mechanics. Even if you’re not mechanically inclined, there are still a handful of relatively easily routine maintenance jobs you can likely perform yourself. These are just general suggestions. The actual proper application of each of the following maintenance suggestions may vary depending on the year, make and model of your motorcycle. Always consult your owner’s manual before performing any maintenance on your bike. Checking…
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Motorcycle Helmet Laws in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and West Virginia Are you and your helmet compliant with the motorcycle helmet laws in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and West Virginia? Find out by familiarizing yourself with the relevant statutes. Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Laws Virginia’s motorcycle helmet laws can be found instate statute 46.2-910. They require every person operating or riding as a passenger on a motorcycle or autocycle to wear a helmet and use some type of eye protection, which may include: Face shields Safety goggles Having their motorcycle equipped with safety glass or a windshield…
Unwritten Rules Of Riding Motorcycles
Assume Every Car or Truck on the Road Is an Accident Waiting to Happen Every motorist, regardless of their vehicle, is well served by driving defensively. Motorcyclists should take defensive driving up a notch and essentially ride as if they’re invisible. Car, truck and SUV drivers regularly cut motorcyclists off, drift into their lane or even tailgate riders as if they have little to no regard for rider safety. Assuming you’re invisible to drivers puts you in an avoidance-mode mindset. You can’t rely on other drivers to keep you safe – you have to be the responsible one. Bugs and…
Partner Inducted Into the SC Biker Hall Of Fame
We are excited to announce that one of our partners, Chad Fuller, was recently inducted into the South Carolina Biker Hall of Fame. The SC Biker Hall of Fame was created in 2014 to highlight the men and women in South Carolina who have dedicated their lives to riding motorcycles and have made a positive impact on the South Carolina biker community. When Chad joined theMotorcycle Law Group in 2010, we knew his passion for riding and years of trial experience made him the perfect fit for our team. Chad heads ourSouth Carolina office and is an advocate for motorcyclists’…