Motorcycle Accidents Spike in Spring, Summer

Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 29, 2014

Spring is in full swing, and summer is just around the corner. That means more motorcyclists on the road – and that means more motorcycle accidents. There have been several serious or fatal motorcycle accidents in Northern Colorado in the past week alone.

To highlight the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's annual spring motorcycle safety campaign, 9NEWS reported on motorcycle safety and featured Denver personal injury attorney Scott O'Sullivan as an expert in the field of motorcycle accident law. The news story focused on the increased risk of motorcycle accidents during spring and summer and discussed ways both riders and drivers can improve safety and reduce their risk of accidents.

O'Sullivan was selected for his expertise with motorcycle accidents. He began practicing motorcycle accident law many years ago after losing a close friend in a motorcycle accident. O'Sullivan and Erico Motorsports owner John Beldock were featured in the 9NEWS story as experts in motorcycle safety and awareness.

O'Sullivan said the most common type of motorcycle accident he sees in his practice with The O'Sullivan Law Firm in Denver is when an impatient or distracted driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist, "which usually results in catastrophic injuries" to the motorcyclist.

"The most common accident we see is a driver of a car making a left-hand turn in front of a motorcyclist coming in the opposite direction, and the motorcyclist has no time to prepare and stop for that," O'Sullivan said. "That's where we see some of our most typical and most terrible accidents."

To help prevent these kinds of motorcycle accidents, O'Sullivan said drivers should be both patient and aware.

"First thing you do, if you're driving, and you're making a left across a busy intersection … and you see a lot of traffic, and you think to yourself, 'I think I can make it' – don't do it," O'Sullivan said. "Just be patient. Save a life. Take some time. Wait for the light to change the next time."

Motorcycle riders should always wear protective gear, including helmets, leathers, boots and gloves, but "the most protective thing you have is your brain," Beldock said.

Motorcyclists should have "situational awareness" at all times, he said. Riders must be aware of the cars around them, be sure not to ride too close to other vehicles or in those vehicles' blind spots, always anticipate other drivers' moves, always have an exit strategy, and always assume other drivers can't – or won't – see them, Beldock said.

"You absolutely have to ride like you're invisible," he said. "It's not up to the other vehicles on the road to keep you safe; it's up to you to keep you safe."

The 9NEWS story highlighted the NHTSA's motorcycle safety campaign, which the agency launches every spring to remind drivers to share the road and to encourage motorcyclists to ride safe and sober. The percentage of intoxicated motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes is higher than the percentage of fatal crashes involving intoxicated drivers, according to the NHTSA.

"Don't ever ride a motorcycle after drinking alcohol or using marijuana," O'Sullivan told 9NEWS, adding that riders should also never get on a stranger's motorcycle, especially if the motorcyclist has been drinking or using other substances.

Watch the 9NEWS story online or visit the NHTSA website for more information about the agency's motorcycle safety campaign.

About The O'Sullivan Law Firm

Scott O'Sullivan is former insurance company attorney, but he left the insurance industry to found The O'Sullivan Law Firm in Denver after seeing how poorly insurance companies treated the very people they were supposed to be helping. Today, Scott O'Sullivan is a leading Denver personal injury attorney. The O'Sullivan Law Firm's team of Denver personal injury lawyers takes on personal injury cases of all types: car accidents, DUI accidents, motorcycle accidents, loss of limb and wrongful death, among others. For more information, visit http://osullivan-law-firm.com or call 303-388-5304.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/04/prweb11798485.htm