Most motorcycles that you see out on the road have a narrow profile and are darker colored. Motorcyclists are apt to wear clothes of similar colors that don’t stand out a lot either. The fact that their bikes and clothes blend in with their surroundings leave motorcyclists vulnerable to being struck.
Recent studies have shed light on the fact that the use of high-visibility clothing may be effective at curbing incident rates of motorcyclists being struck by drivers who didn’t see hem.
Do motorists really fail to see motorcyclists that often?
Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 75% of motorcycle accidents also involve passenger cars. This statistic lends credence to the fact that motorists may indeed generally find it challenging to track motorcyclists that enter into their path.
Does a motorcyclist’s use of high-visibility clothing really decrease their crash risk?
Anything that makes a motorcyclist more easily seen by others, whether it’s a decorative helmet or brightly colored or reflective shirts, jackets or pants, is high-visibility clothing. A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) showed that those motorcyclists who wear high-visibility clothing experience a 37% lower crash risk than those who don’t wear it.
How effective high-visibility clothing might be at reducing crash rates may depend on the colors a motorcyclist wears. Some colors are more visible during inclement weather or when it’s dark outside than others.
Your rights if a motorist strikes you
Any type of motorist, motorcyclists included, must take steps to minimize their chances of having or causing a crash. Nothing excuses negligence, such as intoxication, reckless driving or distractions, though. An attorney can advise you how Indiana law might allow you to recover compensation for your injuries if a negligent motorist struck you.
