Motorcycle accident attorneys-2011 Live to Ride

Tue, 22 February, 2011

The motorcycle industry is booming, ridership is through the roof, and riders are safer and more skilled than ever. According to Ty van Hooydonk, spokesman for the Motorcycle Industry Council, ridership grew by 500,000 from 2008-2009, putting the total number of bikes on U.S. roadways at nearly 11 million (1). Colorado had 174,915 motorcycle registrations in 2009, a 3%  increase from 2008 (3). Despite the rise in riders, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports that motorcycling fatalities in the U.S. dropped by at least 10 percent in 2009, the first decline in 12 years (2). Colorado is spot on with the national trend, as motorcycle deaths saw a 10% decline state wide (3).

The statistics, while promising in themselves, are indicative of the positive impact of an industry, and nation wide, effort to educate, protect, and empower riders. Here in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Transportation, (or CDOT) has instituted the “Live to Ride” campaign (4). Across the state, “Live to Ride” endorses three key safety messages for riders: training, sobriety, and proper protective equipment. The campaign shifts the responsibility of personal safety to riders themselves, as opposed to other motorist. The rider oriented approach was adopted after riders were found to be at fault in a startling 72% of fatal motorcycle accidents. The genius of the campaign lies in it’s scope- riders are encouraged to maximize their defenses (training courses, comprehensive riding gear, an obvious commitment to sobriety on the road)- and CDOT is happy to facilitate, and reward, riders who abide by the program. Training courses are offered (at a discount no less!) for both beginning, and experienced riders. CDOT administers a Motorcycle Safety Foundation approved program called MOST: Motorcycle Operator Safety Training, at various locations across the state. Riders who complete a MOST course earn their required endorsement, and are privy to discounts on insurance, riding gear, and equipment, courtesy of CDOT and local retailers eager to endorse rider safety.

The Colorado “Live to Ride” program incentives safety, sobriety, and skill not as a burden, but as a self preservation tool for individuals courageous enough to make the move to a motorcycle. CDOT’s program is smart, and so are those riders who take responsibility for their own safety by participating in training courses, riding sober, and suiting up safely. The program does the most for riders, though, in the event that the unthinkable occurs: an accident that results in injury or death. Clearly, all riders are aware of the increased likelihood of an accident every time they get on their bike, and nobody ever anticipates having to sort out the logistics of such an accident.

Motorcycle riders are more susceptible to catastrophic/serious injury when even a small accident can have dire consequences. The reality for any rider is that, if the unthinkable does happen, after the initial trauma, the ‘accident’ process can become overwhelming. Riders that have been injured in a motorcycle accident, usually before they’ve even had the chance to recover, are thrown into a litigation process that can be just as traumatic as the accident itself. Between medical bills, insurance companies, rehabilitation, lost wages, and lost property, a motorcycle accident can completely consume and disorient a riders life.  In the event that an accident does occur, the most responsible thing a rider can do for themselves, and their loved ones, is obtain sound legal help. By consulting an experienced Colorado motorcycle accident attorney, a rider has the best chance at receiving their due compensation for the injuries they received from someone else’s negligence.

If you have recently been in a motorcycle accident, for yours and your family’s sake, contact our legal team immediately. If you have not been in an accident, but are a 2011, responsible rider, thank you, and keep up the good work.If you have never ridden before, but are considering it, please be as safe, skilled, and sober as possible- it might just save your life!

Our Colorado Springs Attorneys at Pikes Peak Law strive to make dealing with the legal ramifications of a motorcycle accident as stress-free as possible for the accident victim. Call our downtown Colorado Springs Law Offices for a free consultation today.

1. http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/motorcycle-shops-surviving-tough-economoy-1079797.html

2.http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-news/2010/motorcycle-accident-statistics-2009.htm

3. http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/live-to-ride/documents/MC_FactSheetFinal.pdf

4. http://www.coloradodot.info/programs/live-to-ride