July 17th, 2012 at 12:10 pm  
Whenever taking to the road safety is often at the forefront on riders mind, maybe even more so when riding in a group. Staying together on a long ride can be challenging when maneuvering through city streets and intersections. One solution motorcyclists have found to be helpful is ‘blocking.' However, this technique is actually not legal.
The way this works is a ‘blocker' is designated within the riding group, and typically rides at the back. When approaching what looks to be a dangerous stretch or busy intersection that could break up the group, the blocker pulls out to the front and blocks other oncoming traffic so that the group may proceed through as one unit.
Although this may seem like a safe alternative to splitting up the group when traffic calls for it, it's technically not legal. As Sgt. Daniel Larkin explains of Loudonville, New York, “only emergency personnel, people involved in highway repairs, and crossing guards can legally interfere with traffic,” (Getting There: Law doesn't give motorcycle ‘blockers' right to stop traffic, Tim O'Brien, Times Union, http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Getting-There-Law-doesn-t-give-motorcycle-3708931.php).
It is possible to be ticketed for blocking and potentially face civil liability if an accident does result from the directing of traffic. Another reason blocking is frowned upon by authorities is because blockers may not have the equipment or training that is typically utilized when directing traffic. Besides not having legal authority to direct traffic, safety remains to be a concern. Motorists still may not see or obey a blocker, nor understand what is going on and proceed anyway.
Of course, there are exceptions. For example, groups riding for an event or marathon can obtain a permit to block. In order to receive a permit a group must go through the Department of Transportation. The permit will include an endorsement from the police, local authorities, and insurance.
All-in-all blocking as Lenny Parker, safety officer for the Albany-Schenectady Hog Club, clarifies is, “not done to be obnoxious, but it's safer to block the road so people don't get into the middle of a group of motorcyclists. Sometimes it's done to be safe,” (Getting There: Law doesn't give motorcycle ‘blockers' right to stop traffic, Tim O'Brien, Times Union).
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July 9th, 2012 at 12:24 pm 
Whether you're a seasoned motorcycle group rider or just beginning, it's always a good idea to brush up on motorcycle group hand signals. A lot can happen out on the open road so being able to communicate with your follow riders is important for everyone's safety.
Below is a graphic that displays the different hand signals and their meaning. Of course there are a few variations depending on where and who you learn them from. Always be sure that all your riders follow and understand the same signals before taking off for your ride.
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(Image: Motorcycle Safety Month-Motorcycle Group Riding Signals, Mark Prociw, motorcycle.com).
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June 27th, 2012 at 11:35 am
Last June Ronald Bizeau Jr., 25, was killed on his motorcycle due to what his mother declares as the negligent posting of a traffic control sign. The family is now suing the city of Chicago for their loss.
The suit states that a sign placed to notify motorists that the lane going south on Harlem Avenue near Myrtle Avenue was closed due to construction played a role in the cause of the accident. Bizeau was on his 1998 Suzuki going south on Harlem when he ran into the sign, reported police, (Family of motorcyclist killed in crash sues city, Naomi Nix, Tribune Reporter, Chicago Tribune,
Bizeau was then tossed from his bike, resulting in serious injuries and was taken to Advocate Luther General Hospital only to be pronounced dead later that day at 1:40am.
The family's great grief and expensive funeral charges are the reasons behind filing the suit says Bizeau's mother Nancy Bizeau-Luchesi.
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June 19th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Ride through Baltimore lately? The next time you do you may notice at busy intersections new yellow diamond shaped traffic signs that state WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES. These signs are all part of the effort Allstate Insurance Company has been putting forth to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents at intersections.
Allstate developed their “Once is Never Enough” (ONE) program two years ago, a campaign to promote drivers to look twice for motorcycles. Since then the program has installed 100 of their WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES signs temporarily from 2010-2011 in over 30 different cities throughout the U.S.
Allstate works directly with local traffic authorities to pinpoint the most congested/dangerous intersections in their city to have the signs placed, then donates and installs them. Intersections are the worst areas for motorcycle-vehicle accidents as according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 46% of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle resulting in death occur at intersections.
The goal is to reduce motorcyclist fatalities at intersections, and as these signs are installed one-by-one awareness brought directly to the streets, hopefully grabbing motorists' attention to LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE.
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June 14th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Have a thing for vintage bikes? Then you won't want to miss out on the AMA (American Motorcycle Association) Vintage Motorcycle Days in Ohio!
The event is taking place from July 20-22 at the Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Each day offers different racing events, shows, and much more! Friday hosts the Ride ‘Em Don't Hide ‘Em Show which starts off with participants riding a lap around the course, then heading out for a 25-mile ride to return at 2pm for the judging. There are separate classes of judging which include American, British, European, Japanese, and Special/Customs, (AMA: Bike Shows at Vintage Motorcycle Days Feature All Makes and Models, AMA Communications, http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/ama-bike-shows-at-vintage-motorcycle-days-feature-all-makes-and-models/).
Not all shows include a race; there is a Hall of Fame Static Bike Show scheduled for Saturday. This show is for bikes that have been restored or in original condition from 1900-1989. Classes for this show include America, British, European, and Japanese. Bikes entered in this show will be on public display all day.
Beyond these two highlighted events there is a HUGE schedule posted on their website at http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/events/amavintagemotorcycledays. Other events you won't want to miss out on are amateur national championship road racing, motocross, trials and dirt-track vintage classes, a classic field meet for motorcycles and scooters, seminars, hare scrambles, as well as the largest U.S. motorcycle swap meet!
Ticket pricing for this event are as follows:
- Full weekend pass: $55
- General Admission for Friday, Saturday, OR Sunday: $35
- ALL children 12 and under FREE with adult
- Tent camping: $45
- Vehicle Pass: $100
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June 8th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Hot off the presses! THE Motorcycle Lawyer℠ Jason Waechter recently published Litigating Motorcycle Injury & Death Cases. The book acts as an aid for victims of motorcycle accidents and the attorneys that represent them.
It's impossible to cover all of the details of personal injury law or motorcycle law in one single book and this book is no different. Attorney Jason Waechter prepared this book as a basic guide of Michigan's Automobile No-Fault Law, and hopes it can bring clarification to those wanting to learn more about the law.
Subjects in the book range from the distinctions between different classes of motorcycles, motorcycle statistics, overview of an insurance claim, common motorcycle injuries, litigation, and much more.
If you are ever involved in an accident, don't hesitate to call Jason Waechter, THE Motorcycle Lawyer℠! He wrote the book!
 
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May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
Boxer Paul Williams was in a motorcycle accident in Marietta Georgia this past Sunday and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Williams was in the neighborhood for his brother's wedding later that afternoon. While maneuvering along a curve Williams' attempted to dodge a vehicle in the lane next to him. Police say his speed was too fast to make the curve and hit the embankment. Williams fell of his bike landing on his back and head, severing his spinal cord. He is currently at an undisclosed hospital and is listed in to be in serious condition but stable, (Boxer Paul Williams paralyzed in motorcycle crash, manager says, Associate Press, Mercury News,
http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_20732825/boxer-paul-williams-paralyzed-motorcycle-crash-manager-says).
Fellow boxer Saul “Canelo” Alvarez was scheduled to fight Williams on September 15 in Las Vegas, but is now canceled says Williams' manager George Peterson. Peterson has been visiting and in contact with Williams and reports that “from the waist down, he has absolutely no movement. He's in very good spirits, though. He still believes he's going to fight again.”
His long time promoter Dan Goossen has confirmed the cancellation of the event and states that “right now, there's no thinking about his fights right now except for the fight that's facing Paul right now – get movement back in his body and keep the movement that's above his waist. I want to think along with him, ‘cause I've seen him do things in his boxing career that shouldn't have happened,” (Boxer Paul Williams paralyzed in motorcycle crash, manager says, Associate Press, Mercury News).
Goossen is referring to the fact that Williams has had anything but an ordinary boxing career. He is considered to be one of the most versatile and remarkable in the boxing world as he has competed in three different weight classes at 147-pounds 6-foot 2-inch. With everyone in good spirits and high hopes Peterson wants Williams' fans to know that “he's going to be alright and he'll be back. He said if he wasn't going to be boxing, he's going to be a stand-up comedian,” (Boxer Paul Williams paralyzed in motorcycle crash, manager says, Associate Press, Mercury News).
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May 21st, 2012 at 3:20 pm
In the State of California a driver who was texting while driving hit and killed a motorcyclist has now been sentenced to five years in prison.
Sequoia Jones, 23, was driving and texting in her Volkswagen Beetle in Sacramento on October 24 when she sideswiped Robert Wilson, 64, on his motorcycle. The collision knocked Wilson off his bike, resulting in his death after another car ran over his body, (Texting Driver Gets Prison Time in Death of Motorcyclist: But In Another State, Community Service Is Ordered, American Motorcyclist, June 2012).
Jones was charged with vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run to which she pleaded no contest on March 12 and then was sentenced to five years in jail.
In a similar case in North Carolina Andrew James Watkins, 25, pleaded guilty in 2011 after his driving while texting resulted in the death of motorcyclist Joel Severson, 39. Watkins sentence did not include the same amount of jail time however, he was given a 60-day suspension of jail term, perform 200 hours of community service and a $1,000 court fine, (Texting Driver Gets Prison Time in Death of Motorcyclist: But In Another State, Community Service Is Ordered, American Motorcyclist, June 2012).
AMA Government Affairs Manager Imre Szauter stated on the matter “these are very tragic cases in which texting while driving caused needless deaths. Our condolences go out to the Wilson and Severson families. Distracted driving poses a deadly danger to motorcyclists, and it's something that we are working on to try to reduce,” (Texting Driver Gets Prison Time in Death of Motorcyclist, American Motorcyclist, June 2012).
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May 15th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
This is the month! May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month! Whether you are a long time rider or just bought your first bike last week, THE Motorcycle Lawyer thinks it's always a good idea to brush up on some safety tips before hitting the open road!
- Always be alert! BUT especially at intersections. Roughly 50% of all motorcycle-vehicle accidents occur at intersections. The most common is a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle, so always be prepared to act quickly.
- Glancing in your mirrors before switching lanes or coming to a stop could prevent a rear-end collision.
- Watch the road a distance ahead of you so you are aware of any hazards or traffic issues before you are upon them.
- So many motorcyclists ride by this common tip: “Assume you are invisible to other motorists on the road and operate your motorcycle accordingly.” Ride to be seen, take up a lane and ride in it where you will be noticed by motorists. Headlights are a must during the day and night. Wearing reflective and bright clothing helps any motorcyclist be seen.
- Ride at a speed that is appropriate for the road conditions, i.e. weather, traffic, or construction.
- Treat other vehicles & motorcycles with courtesy and respect.
- Avoid tailgating and riding in between lanes.
- Always use signals when necessary.
(Motorcycle Safety, DOT HS 807 709, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
As a motorcyclist sometimes the only prevention you have against an accident from occuring is riding defensively. Always be aware of your surroundings and ride safe this season!
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May 14th, 2012 at 10:13 am
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