Skyrocketing gas prices mean more motorcycles on the road—and more danger for cyclists

On Memorial Day, just last week, motorists on I-85 in Atlanta were reminded of the dangers motorcycle riders face, when the interstate was shut down all evening after a motorcycle fatality. The Atlanta accident happened when the driver of the van swerved to avoid a stalled car, and the motorcycle hit the van, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

According to various news sources, our skyrocketing gas prices have led to higher sales of motorcycles and scooters—up 24 percent for the first quarter of 2008, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. Scooters average about 100 miles a gallon, and a larger mid-size bike can get up to 45 mpg, making an attractive alternative to an automobile. Clark Howard recently touted his scooter’s gas mileage on a recent show.

However saving money on gas can cause increased safety risks on our roads—especially since even the safest cyclists are taking a deadly risk if automobile drivers fail to pay attention to the growing number of bikes sharing the road. When cars strike motorcycles—or even worse when trucks hit motorcycles—the result is more often catastrophic injury or even death for the cyclist. A motorcycle injury ended the career of former NBA basketball player Jay Williams. Motorcycle injuries also caused pro football players like Kellen Winslow and Ben Roethlisberger to miss significant playing time.

If you are a biker, the Law Offices of Michael L. Neff urges you to make safety your number one consideration. Always wear a helmet and drive defensively; but if you are a biker involved in a wreck that was not your fault, call an attorney right away who has experience in helping you get the help you deserve.