Motorcycle safety is an issue of some importance in the state of Ohio, which is home to one of the largest numbers of registered motorcycles in the United States. While steps can be taken to increase rider safety, the problem of motorist ignorance and recklessness remains a stubborn one. In two-thirds of all motorcycles accidents involving a car, the motorist failed to give the motorcycle the right-of-way or in some way endangered the rider. A motorcycle rider is extremely vulnerable to injury when struck by a car; in contrast, a motorist will often walk away unharmed.

The Law Protects Victims of Motorcycle Accidents

Given the danger to motorcyclists who share the road with careless drivers, Ohio law seeks to establish liability in order to provide compensation for injuries. Personal injury law applies to most motorcycle accidents, and an attorney can apply these laws to the case. Sometimes, there are mitigating circumstances when a car strikes a motorcycle, and these must be examined.

For example, motorcycles make smaller visual targets for drivers and are easily obscured by other objects. This makes it easy for drivers to miss them. Road hazards such as potholes and road debris that are a minor inconvenience for drivers are a major problem for motorcyclists. Riding a motorcycle takes more skill and balance than driving a car, and problems can occur when a rider is in traffic or traveling at high speeds.

If a motorist is aware of the challenges facing motorcyclists while on the road, the odds of an accident will decrease. Of course, even under perfect conditions where both vehicles are driving safely, accidents can occur. An accident attorney who specializes in motorcycle injury can help deal with legal issues such as compensation and insurance, which may be different for motorcycle accidents than other types of accidents.