Another Connecticut motorcycle accident led to death in Rocky Hill and it provides a sobering reminder of the dangers that are present when driving a motorcycle. This time the accident happened under the best of circumstances and therefore is yet another example of why it doesn’t always matter what time of day you are on the road or whether or not the drivers involved in the accident are impaired, sometimes accidents just happen and when they do they can be devastating.
In this case in Rocky Hill the motorcycle driver was out during daylight hours, around 2:30p and there was no alcohol reportedly involved in the crash, so what were the determining factors of this accident? At the time of this writing there were no further details, but some of the determining factors that often lead to motorcycle accidents and unfortunately deaths can include things like the following:
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No helmet. While riding a motorcycle in Connecticut you are not required to wear a helmet, wearing a helmet is most certainly one of the best things you can do to keep yourself free from serious injury. Even if find yourself in an accident with your motorcycle you are more likely to survive and escape serious injury if you are wearing a helmet. Of course, wearing a helmet does not solve every issue nor does it guarantee that if you get into an accident, you will not get seriously hurt or die, but it is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe while riding.
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Speeding. It’s not clear if speed was involved in the Rocky Hill crash, but excessive speed is a growing problem in the state of Connecticut and it is one of the riskiest behaviors you can participate in whether you’re on two or four wheels. Any amount of speed over the speed limit increases your chances of serious injury exponentially and if you are speeding you are more likely to get into an accident overall.
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Distracted driving. Believe it or not, being distracted on a motorcycle is more than likely. Motorcycle drivers are human too and therefore they may find themselves becoming distracted by the likes of cellphones, radios, scenery and more while driving down the road on two wheels. Any distraction can be a devastating one so you should always ride with both hands on the handlebars and your eyes closely on the road in front of you. Taking your eyes off the road for even a split second can lead to devastating outcomes and cause you to become injured.
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Proper signaling. One thing we don’t discuss as often as we should is the need for motorcyclists to signal their turns properly. It can be a little bit easier for drivers to anticipate which direction a car is going to turn, but with a motorcycle if there is no signal there can be grave consequences. Make sure to use your turn signal early and often so the cars behind you and in front of you have a clear understanding of where your next move will be.
If you become injured in a Connecticut motorcycle accident, no matter the circumstances, you can do certain things to make sure that your injuries are not severe. You can slow down, wear a helmet, avoid distractions and always signal properly and you’ll be taking a few small steps towards securing safe travels while riding your motorcycle.
Whatever the circumstances are surrounding an accident that you might have been involved in you may need to speak with an experienced attorney. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.
