With summer coming in Florida, we are likely to see more motorcycles on our roadways. From side streets to highways, it is incumbent on all of us in vehicles to be diligent and aware in order to avoid accidents and keep everyone safe.

Driving with motorcycles requires motorists to understand a few additional rules of the road.

6 Tips on Sharing the Road with Motorcycles

Blind Spot Awareness: The vast majority of motorcycle accidents involving cars are the result of bikers being in your blind spot. While many cars now notify you when someone is in your blind spot, and this innovation is likely to save many lives. But for those who are driving a vehicle without this feature, double checking blind spots is imperative before moving into an adjacent lane.
Give Them Space: Rear-ending a motorcycle driver is quite often fatal. Even at the speed limit, a motorcycle will slow much more quickly than a car. If they brake you will be upon them very quickly, so when driving behind motorcycles it is prudent to give them extra space between you.
Watch the Weather: Motorcyclists would have more trouble navigating on wet pavement, and summer rainstorms brew up quickly in the Sarasota area. If it is windy, motorcycles may be weaving a bit as well. If weather begins to get a bit dicey, be sure to give them plenty of space to maneuver, and realize that they may be traveling more slowly than other vehicles on the road. If visibility is reduced, especially after dark, keep an extra sharp eye out for bikers and dim high beams if motorcycles are approaching.
Learn About Turn Signal Protocol: If there are motorcycles traveling behind you, give extra notice of your lane change or intention to turn off the road. Also note that many motorcycles on the road are not equipped with self-cancelling turn signals. Therefore, it is never safe to assume that a motorcyclist is turning if his turn signal is on for a longer period of time. Stay back to avoid pile ups and accidents.
Beware of Intersections and Left Turns: Both of these traffic scenarios have proven fatal to people riding motorcycles. At intersections, be sure to come to complete stops, look carefully for approaching traffic, and follow all posted signs. When making a left turn, look twice for approaching motorcycles, as a bike hitting a car broadside generally results in a very severe accident. There is a lot going on at intersections, and many variables to take in and process. Make sure you look specifically for an approaching motorcycle, which is tougher to spot than a car, SUV or truck.
Stay in Your Lane: Although motorcyclists may legally pass between cars in most states, essentially sharing a lane for a few seconds, it is never ok for a car or truck to share a lane with a biker. While traveling next to a motorcyclist, do not attempt to enter their lane.

If you were injured in an accident with a motorcycle (or were on the motorcycle), you can file a claim or lawsuit in the same way you would in any other vehicle accident. Personal injury and wrongful death claims may be appropriate based on the situation, and you can follow similar procedures after the accident. After making sure your medical needs are taken care of, call the personal injury attorneys of Probinsky & Cole to discuss the details of your Sarasota or Tampa area motorcycle accident.(For basic instructions on how to proceed after a traffic accident, read here.)