Motorist Making Left Turn Proves Almost Deadly for Motorcyclist

A number of Washington motorcycle accidents occur as a result of drivers turning left in front of the motorcyclist. This typically happens because the driver is not paying attention to the traffic situation. He or she is not consciously looking for motorcyclists coming from the other direction. Drivers of bigger vehicles often tend to forget that they share the road with bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians.

A recent news report details an accident, which occurred exactly the same way. A motorcyclist was traveling south on a roadway, when a car in the turn lane facing north tried to make a left turn and struck the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist, who was unfortunately not wearing a helmet or other protective gear was critically injured. He sustained a fractured skull and shattered ankle, but is expected to survive. The 83-year-old driver told officials that she never saw the motorcycle as she began turning. The motorcyclist was traveling at 35 mph, well within the speed limit. The driver was given a citation for failure to yield when making a left turn.

There are a couple of important lessons for all of us, to be learned here. First of all, when you make a left turn, Washington State Law requires drivers to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic. Secondly, if you are riding a motorcycle, please make sure that you are wearing a full-faced helmet and protective gear. A full-faced helmet is the only kind of helmet that can prevent fatal head injuries, catastrophic brain injuries or severe facial injuries, which can all occur in a motorcycle accident.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Washington motorcycle accident, please contact the Seattle personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Group for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com for our FREE informational brochure with useful, educational information about Washington motorcycle accident cases, which will help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.

Source:http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2009/12/09/news/doc4b1f075ae9aba834542342.txt