Episode 87: Calloway County personal injury attorney Jeff Roberts has ridden motorcycles the majority of his adult life. As an injury attorney, he’s represented injured motorcyclists for over 30 years. Today, he’s going to discuss common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Each spring, Jeff records a podcast episode focused on motorcycle safety tips. The most recent was Episode 75.
Jeff begins by commenting how fortunate we are to have some terrific roads for motorcyclists, throughout Western Kentucky. Over the years, Jeff has noticed patterns in many of the motorcycle wrecks he’s handled.
Common Cause #1: People making left-hand turns in front of motorcycles
The left-hand turn, as well as people pulling out from an “inferior roadway” into traffic, is particularly risky for a motorcyclist. Quite often the oncoming vehicle’s driver may not be paying attention and doesn’t look to see if the lanes are clear, before turning.
Motorcycles have a thinner profile than a car. It’s easy to miss them, if you’re not looking carefully. Unfortunately for the motorcyclist, the injuries resulting from a collision with a car can be very serious and even catastrophic, including brain injuries.
Jeff notes that motorcycle headlights are on as a way of increasing visibility of the motorcycle. You may not notice the narrow profile, but an oncoming driver has a better chance of seeing the illuminated headlight. Still, people claim they didn’t see the motorcycle before making that left-hand turn.
Common Cause #2: Cars pulling out at intersections
This is often an issue of the driver not taking the time to carefully look to see if the road is clear, before turning on the road, or proceeding into the intersection. Jeff comments about Highway 94 has many small country roads that intersect (e.g. Kentucky Route 121, State Route 80, etc.) 94.
If a car pulls out in front of the motorcyclist, it’s going to be a bad situation. People, unfortunately, don’t pay enough attention. Sometimes, the driver may misjudge the speed of the approaching motorcycle. That bad assumption can result in a traffic fatality.
Jeff take a few minutes to address the loophole in Kentucky’s no-fault insurance that affects motorcyclists. No-fault insurance in Kentucky provides automatic coverage. It’s also referred to as personal injury protection (PIP benefits) or basic reparations benefits. It’s generally there to pay for the first $10,000 of medical bills or lost wages. It’s mandatory coverage for other vehicles, but not for motorcycles. As a motorcyclist, unless you pay for motorcycle PIP coverage, you don’t have it. If you don’t have this coverage on your motorcycle, you lose the right to recover the first $10,000 medical and/or lost wages. Jeff notes, this also applies to people driving cars without insurance. They also forfeit the right to recover that first $10,000.
Common Cause #3: Reckless driving by other drivers
Cars moving at high speeds pose a definite threat to motorcyclists. The other drivers aren’t expecting to encounter another vehicle moving at a significantly higher rate of speed, especially on state and county roads. It makes it difficult to control the vehicle and may put everyone at risk.
When speeding vehicles are weaving in and out of traffic, it can be extremely dangerous for a motorcyclist. The car’s driver may not have checked their blind spot before changing lanes. This may result in crowding the motorcyclist, cutting him/her off or even colliding with the motorcycle. Jeff notes he’s sees this type of behavior on US 641 and other roads in and around Calloway County.
Jeff also comments about this type of aggressive driving on a two-lane road. If the speeding driver quickly changes into the other lane, he/she may not see an on-coming motorcyclist and it could result in a head-on collision, which has a high probability of being fatal for the motorcyclist and passengers. If the driver of the car is trying to pass the car in front of it, but doesn’t realize there’s a motorcycle in front of that car, it can create a dangerous situation, when the speeding car tries to pass those vehicles.
Common Cause #4: People in cars driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
This could be a situation in which someone is driving drunk and collides with a motorcycle. It could also apply to wrecks involving distracted drivers.
If you’re under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs, your reaction time will be negatively impacted. You’d probably be much less likely to notice a motorcyclist coming toward you. You might also ride up on the motorcyclist, if you fail to realize the bike is slowing down or stopped.
Driving while intoxicated can also be dangerous to pedestrians, are well as motorcyclists and other vehicles. Jeff states that there’s absolutely no reason for someone to drive drunk. If you’ve consumed alcohol, even in Murray or Mayfield, you can call a taxi. Other cities offer rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. At the least, call a friend or family member to pick you up. There’s no reason to get behind the wheel.
Now that Kentucky has passed the law permitting medical marijuana, there’s a possibility that the rate of intoxicated drivers could increase. It’s still a drug that can impair your safe-driving ability.
Distracted drivers have been a problem for motorcyclist for years. Cell phones (especially texting while driving) and other distractions can be particularly dangerous if that vehicle is traveling near a motorcycle. Drifting into other lanes, not paying attention to traffic, ignoring red lights and stop signs all place people at risk of severe injuries.
Drowsy drivers also have problems judging the distance between cars. They may fail to check for traffic when entering an intersection. They may swerve or veer into other lanes. There’s also the risk that the drowsy driver may not stop in time to avoid plowing into the back of a motorcycle either while moving or while stopped at an intersection.
Common Cause #5: Sudden Stops
These can take most drivers by surprise. If the car driving in front of a motorcycle suddenly slams on its brakes, there’s a chance the motorcyclist may not be able to react in time. Jeff recounts situations involving road construction work or traffic that’s backed up due to a previous collision.
In this case, it’s possible the motorcyclist has already come to a complete stop, but the car behind it fails to realize what’s going on and rear-ends the motorcycle. Jeff notes that during certain times of the year in Western Kentucky, farm equipment is also driving on the roadways. As a tractor or combine prepares to turn from the road into a field or onto a cross-road, traffic can stop suddenly, resulting in a collision with other vehicles.
Common Cause #6: Car doors opening in a parking lot
Jeff has had personal experience with this on several occasions. Jeff’s been on his motorcycle when a parked car, in a fire lane, suddenly opened its door. Luckily for Jeff, his riding buddy wasn’t exactly beside him and he was able to swerve out of the way. That particular situation occurred at Kentucky Oaks Mall, in Paducah.
Unfortunately, Jeff sees vehicles parked in fire lanes all the time. If a door flies open, in front of a motorcyclist, that rider might get thrown over the door resulting in various types of injuries. He wishes more motorist would avoid the fire lanes and use the parking spots.
In parking lots, there’s also the risk of someone backing out without looking. Maybe the driver is parked beside a larger vehicle, which obstructs the view. In some cases, the driver backing out attempts to do it too quickly, which doesn’t leave time for either driver to properly, and safely react.
Over the past 32 year of practicing injury law, Jeff has handled cases involving traffic fatalities, traumatic brain injuries, amputations or paralysis, broken bones and many more injuries commonly suffered by motorcyclists. You can rely on his experience both as an attorney and an attorney who rides a motorcycle.
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 and now Christian County, 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.
We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful. Thank you for listening!
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about Your Motorcycle Accident 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.
