Episode 102: Calloway County motorcycle wreck attorney Jeff Roberts continues his tradition of recording an episode focused on 2025 motorcycle safety tips. Jeff is an attorney who has ridden motorcycles for many years. As we the season changes, many motorcyclists are preparing their bikes for road trips and summer rides through Western Kentucky. Before you do, however, take a few minutes to listen to Jeff’s advice.
The Kentucky State Police issues an annual report on collisions. We’ll reference data from the most recent, 2023 Traffic Collision Facts report.
Interesting Data Highlights:
- 814 individuals involved in fatal traffic collisions
- 767 fatal collisions on public roads in KY
- 20,271 non-fatal collisions on public roads
Jeff comments that motorcyclists face a significantly higher risk of injury or fatality in a collision. It a reason they need to be extremely alert to road and traffic conditions while riding. At the same time, other people in pickup trucks, cars and other vehicles need to remember to look for motorcycles. This is especially important as spring and summer get underway. The motorcycles haven’t been on the roads for several months, so you may not be used to looking out for them.
Jeff points out that according to the report, motorcycles were involved in less than 1% of the accidents in 2023, but accounted for 8% of the fatalities.
The report indicates approximately 101,000 motorcycles are registered in Kentucky. This seems relatively low compared to what Jeff would have expected. This accounts for roughly 3% of the total registered vehicles, excluding commercial vehicles.
This supports Jeff’s observation that 3% of the total registered vehicles still account for 8% of the traffic fatalities.
Common Contributing Factors in Motorcycle Accidents
Failure to Yield the Right of Way is a significant contributing factor in motorcycle accidents. Jeff sees this with many of his cases involving motorcycle collisions. It’s often a situation in which a driver turns left, in front of a motorcyclist. This factor was involved in approximately 13% of all Kentucky motorcycle wrecks, but contributed to 24.5% of all fatal collisions with motorcycles.
Inattention is a related-contributing factor, accounting for approximately 27% of motorcycle collisions. Unfortunately, it was also a contributing factor in over 21% of motorcycle fatal collisions, in 2023.
Jeff advises motorcyclists to inspect the headlight on the bike. It can help to catch the attention of oncoming drivers, even in good weather conditions.
Tips for Preparing to Take Your Bike out for the First Time this Season
You’ve probably had your motorcycle in storage through the winter. As you get ready for a new season of riding, Jeff offers his 2025 motorcycle safety tips.
He’s already advised that you make sure the headlight is in proper working condition. This is a good time to make sure the blinkers and taillights are also working.
Inspect the condition of your tires. Air them up if they’ve lost air over the winter. Also check the treads for signs of wear.
Check your brakes to ensure they are functioning properly and that you get a good feel for the stopping distance you’ll need.
Make sure you have a good helmet. While some people like to ride without a helmet, the consequences in a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic. In 2023, there were 216 motorcyclists injured while not wearing a helmet and 50 fatalities without helmets. Consider the potential effect of traumatic brain injuries and how this will affect the lives of motorcyclists, even if they survive the wreck. Remember, you may be a safe driver but so many motorcycle collisions are due to other drivers, as we’ve already pointed out.
Jeff also recommends taking your motorcycle out for a short ride to rebuild that muscle memory that been dormant over the past several months. Check your stopping distance. Practice taking some curves.
Check Your Motorcycle Insurance Coverage
This is an important 2025 motorcycle safety tip. Some people let their motorcycle policies lapse through the winter, or maybe they’ve listed the bike as being stored. Is your coverage in effect, before you get back out on the road?
This is a good time to consider renewing or adding motorcycle PIP coverage to your policy. This is optional coverage. You should make sure you have it available to pay medical bills, lost wages and other damages, even if the motorcycle wreck wasn’t your fault.
In Kentucky, motorcyclists can’t recover the first $10,000 of damages, unless they have motorcycle PIP coverage. You may think you’re saving money on the premium, until you’re faced with significant medical bills or lost wages – regardless of which driver was at fault. And once again, a considerable percentage of collisions involving motorcycles are due to someone else’s negligence. This aspect of the law and insurance can be an unwelcomed surprise to an injured motorcyclist and his/her family.
Avoid Drinking and Driving Your Motorcycle
According to the 2023 Traffic Collision Facts Report, alcohol consumption was a factor in 11% of the fatal motorcycle collisions in Kentucky. Drug involvement was a factor in just over 13% of fatal motorcycle collisions. Almost 25% of these fatalities involve some type of driving under the influence issue. Some of the collisions were obviously due to the driver of the car being intoxicated (alcohol or drugs), but it’s quite possible some also were due to intoxicated motorcyclists. The current DUI level in Kentucky is a blood alcohol of 0.08.
Jeff has over 32 years of experience as a personal injury attorney. He’s ridden motorcycles for longer than that. In his experience, and in talking with his injured clients, he understands the vast majority of the motorcycle accidents were cause by the drivers of the car or truck, not the motorcyclists. This is reflected in the 2023 report’s data showing exceeding the speed limit was a factor in less than 5% of the motorcycle collisions, driving too fast for conditions was less than 3% and weaving in traffic was only 1%. Again, these are the total percentages, which include negligent drivers as well as motorcyclists.
That’s a wrap for our 2025 Motorcycle Safety Tips. We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!
What Do Other Clients Think About Jeff?
We always encourage listeners to read the Google Reviews Jeff Roberts has received from many of his clients. A 5-Star rating and the comments are earned recognition and demonstrate Jeff’s commitment to his clients. As a solo attorney, he has more Google Reviews than some firms with multiple attorneys. Jeff shares the credit with his staff at the Roberts Law Office. Successfully representing injured clients is a team effort. It’s why Jeff likes to say his firm offers small town service with big city results.
Jeff Roberts Represents Injured Clients Throughout Kentucky
With offices located in Calloway County (Murray) and now in Christian County (Hopkinsville), Jeff has a history of representing personal injury clients, workers’ compensation clients and social security disability clients across the state. He’s represented clients from Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Covington, Whitesville and many other Kentucky locations. He’s not just a Western Kentucky injury attorney.
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about Your Motorcycle Wreck Claim?
The office phone number is (270) 753-0053 or toll free at 800-844-5108. For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice. Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky. Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson. This is an advertisement.
