At 5:30pm on Tuesday, October 18 a Virginia State Police trooper crashed his motorcycle while securing the roadway for the Presidential motorcade coming through.

President Obama was due to speak at the Greensville County High School in Emporia, and as the motorcade made its way through it was necessary to shut down both sides of the interstate, and that's what State police were assisting with, said Sergeant Michelle Anaya, (VA. State Police motorcycle crashes during Obama motorcade, The Virginian-Pilot, Lauren King,

At mile marker number 8 mile while securing the roadway along the southbound side of 1-95, Sergeant J.L. Kirkpatrick crashed his motorcycle when he slid off the left side of the ramp causing him to overturn, (VA. State Police motorcycle crashes during Obama motorcade). As the presidential motorcade went past, reporters with the motorcade saw the accident along the exit ramp.

Rescue personnel were close by so responded quickly and were able to treat him on the scene. Luckily Kirkpatrick injuries were not more serious, he suffered minor abrasions.

Marcus Benard, a defensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns was involved in a motorcycle accident which resulted in the breaking of his hand.

The accident occurred shortly after practice on Monday, October 10, their first day back from bye week. Ninety minutes after practice on Interstate 71 Benard crashed his motorcycle. Benard was traveling at a "high rate of speed" causing him to lose control of the bike crossing over four lanes until crashing into a guardrail, a witness told police on the scene. Police confirm there were no other vehicles involved and that the investigation has come to a close, (Report: Browns to pay Marcus Benard, The Associated Press,

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7096957/cleveland-browns-reportedly-pay-marcus-benard-accident). Benard now suffers from a broken hand and other undisclosed injuries. After three days Benard was released from the Cleveland Clinic.

Although the injury was non-football related, the Browns have decided to pay Benard for the remainder of the season, which is roughly $375,000. Benard has been placed on the reserve non-football injury list which only having played four games this year ends his season, (Report: Browns to Pay Marcus Benard, The Associated Press).

As an undrafted free agent in 2009, his rookie season, the first nine games Benard was on the practice squad until he was signed to the active roster and played in the last six games with 3 ½ sacks. In 2010 he held the lead with 7 ½ sacks playing in a total of 15 games, (Report: Browns to Pay Marcus Benard, The Associated Press).

Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shumur had said last week that there was a future for Benards with the Browns. Defensive Coordinator Dick Jauron says on Benard's accident "It's so devastating for the young man. He was just starting to get back from preseason injuries and setbacks. It's a big disappointment. I'm very disappointed for him and for us." Although this is a blow to Benard and the team, of course all are grateful that it wasn't more serious and "thankful that he's still with us," Jauron.

Live in Massachusetts? Purchase comprehensive and/or collision insurance on your motorcycle on or after January 2002? Then you could be entitled to a refund!

Insurance companies have been overcharging by using inflated motorcycle values to set up premiums revealed a recent investigation, (Insurance refund for motorcycle riders-Coakley: Companies to return $40 million, Heidi Voight, WWLP 22 News, http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/Insurance-refund-for-motorcycle-riders). Forty million dollars will go back to bikers in Massachusetts after fifteen insurance companies settled with the state Attorney General.

How did this come about? It all came to the surface when one customer filed a complaint. The customer owned a 1999 Harley Davidson Road King classic, but the premium was calculated as if the bike was new from 2003 to 2008, (Insurance refund for motorcycle riders-Coakley: Companies to return $40 million).

The refunds will range anywhere from one hundred dollars to a thousand per check, and over fourteen thousand checks are being issued by the end of this month.

Wondering if you qualify? The settlement "covers bikers who purchased comprehensive and/or collision insurance on a motorcycle on or after January first of 2002. That motorcycle must have been overvalued by the insurance company for the purpose of calculating premiums," (Insurance refund for motorcycle riders-Coakley: Companies to return $40 million). To find out if you should have a check coming your way visit

www.motorcycle.ago.state.ma.us.

In the college town of Logan on September 14, 2011 witnesses of a major motorcycle accident became rescuers when students, officers, and passer-bys lined up to lift the 4,000 pound BMW involved in the accident allowing student and motorcyclist Wright to be removed from under the car.

The accident occurred near Utah State University where Wright was headed on his motorcycle, to study. A BMW pulled out of a parking lot and as skid marks show, Wright laid his bike down as he slide along the road before colliding with the car. The bike then smashed into the car's hood and bounced to the ground, while Wright slid underneath the car and both the motorcycle and car became inflamed, described Jeff Curtis, Assistant Logan Police Chief, (Students lift car off Utah motorcyclist after fiery crash, Jennifer Dobner, Sun Times, http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/7651193-418/students-lift-car-off-utah-biker-after-fiery-motorcycle-crash.htmluntimes.com).

Nearly half a dozen witnesses lined up along the side of the car to take action, as they began to rock and then lift the car enough for a construction worker to finally be able to pull Wright from underneath the car and two officers to extinguish the flames. The rescuers are being dubbed ‘heroes' and ‘angels,' yet none wants to accept such a title. Abbass Sharif, a Utah State doctoral candidate and one of the rescuers said “That's a big title. I don't consider myself a hero. It's just our humanity…Everyone is going to help.”  Regardless of whether they are willing to accept a title or not, Curtis said he could “only speculate what the outcome would have been had none of the rescuers sprung to action.”

The 21 year old student Wright who was involved in the accident is “very thankful. They saved my life.” Tyler Riggs, Wright's uncle says he does recall details of the accidents, being able to feel the heat of the flames, being under the car spitting up blood and unable to speak. Although Wright was not wearing a helmet he suffered no head trauma, but did have a broken pelvis, both legs broken, road rash, burns on his left foot and abrasions on the forehead. A statement from the hospital declares Wright's condition as satisfactory.

There is no comment from the driver of the BMW, but one rescuer Matt Barney said “he was really worried about the safety of the young man; he was very emotional and shaken.”

Riggs, just like Wright and the rest of his family are extremely grateful for the acts of the rescuers that day. “They risked their lives,” said Riggs, “It restores my faith in humanity,” (Students lift car off Utah motorcyclist after fiery crash, Jennifer Dobner, Sun Times, http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/7651193-418/students-lift-car-off-utah-biker-after-fiery-motorcycle-crash.htmluntimes.com).

With Labor Day approaching the Motorcycle Cycle Lawyer knows there is nothing like the open road on a long weekend. Unfortunately, everyone else is going to have that same idea, and with more motorcyclists and drivers on the road safety becomes an issue. If travel via motorcycle is a part your plan this Labor Day Weekend; keep these tips in mind to keep yourself safe.

• Is your bike ready for long distance travel? Checking the tire pressure, headlights, and fluids prior to venturing on your trip can prevent several issues that could leave you stranded.

• Know your exit. Besides keeping you aware of your next stop, drivers may make unforeseen lane changes to exit potentially causing an accident.

• Be seen! Make sure to wear bright, reflective clothing to stand out and be seen by others on the road.

• Map out or GPS your route. In an unfamiliar area knowing the road and possible construction areas will make you aware of upcoming lane changes and basic surroundings.

• Give yourself time. Leave a little earlier than originally planned; this allows for possible delays and unexpected traffic.

• Be well rested. Riding tired or ill will cause you to lose focus. Take breaks when needed.

• Know that your mirrors may be distorted; motorcycle riders have a narrower field of vision than that of a vehicle's.

• Know a truck's blind spots. If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, he or she cannot see you.

• Leave yourself space. In large amounts of traffic it becomes difficult for drivers to see you so be sure to leave a perimeter of space in front and back of you, and on either side.

 (Travel Safety This Labor Day Weekend, Leather Bound, http://blog.leatherboundonline.com/325/travel-safely-labor-day-weekend/).

The most important thing is to pay attention, because unfortunately you cannot count on other drivers to. Being aware of your surroundings and other drivers will help keep you out of harm's way this holiday. Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!
 

Looking for a last minute get-away this weekend? For all you bike lovers the MotoGP Series 4th Red Bull Indianapolis GP is the ticket!

Whether you have been in past years or if this will be your first, this event promises to be a good time! The main attraction for the weekend will be some of the world's best motorcycle riders competing for IMS victory. Some of the riders include Jorge Lorenzo, Colin Edwards, Ben Spies, Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi, and Nicky Hayden. Want to see them in action? The featured race will start at 2p.m. Sunday, August 28.

Many of the popular events at IMS will now be a part of their “IMS After Dark;” evening programming. Public gates will remain open until 10p.m. and for the first time; bikes can be parked in the center of it all on the new Main Street in IMS infield.

A concert line-up of both national and regional acts will be a highlight of IMS After Dark. The line-up is as follows:

Friday, August 26:
7:15p.m.-8:15p.m. : Crash-led by two-time World Superbike champion and former MotoGP rider James Toseland.
8:30p.m.-10p.m. : Appetite for Destruction-a premier Guns N' Roses tribute band.

Saturday, August 27:
6:30p.m. : Kelley James-acoustic/pop/freestyle artist.
7:45p.m. : DJ Mick Boogie
9p.m. : Ghostland Observatory- elector-rock band with laser show.

Pre-race enjoy stunts performed by Red Bull aerobatic and air race pilot Kirby Chambliss and Red Bull motorcycle stunt riders Geoff Aaron and Aaron Colton. This is sure to be a show as “Chambliss will fly over the IMS infield and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, Colton will perform stunts on the front straightaway, and Aaron will stunt in the Vender Marketplace,” (What's New at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP?, Paul Kelly, www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com).

This year Harley Davidson fans will be pleased as AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series brings HD to IMS.  Events will take place all three days with races on Saturday and Sunday. If you like more of a classic look, vintage racing motorcycles that will be participating in the Cycle World Rolling Concourse will be on display as well.

Other popular events to look forward to are interviews with every MotoGP rider Friday at 5p.m. adjacent to the main stage, the Pit Walkabout “which allows fans to see up-close the incredible prototype machines of MotoGP will take place on the pit lane from 5-6:45p.m. Saturday on the Red Bull Energy Stage,” (www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com), and a firework show Saturday!
 

Pumped for the 2011 MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis now? Get your tickets at www.imstix.com or call IMS ticket office at 317-492-6700. Pricing is as follows:
 

Race Day general admission: $40
Friday general admission: $10
Saturday general admission: $20
Three-day general admission: $60
Friday-Saturday general admission: $25
Race Day reserved seat: starting at $70
Children ages 12 and under FREE! (must be accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket).
 

The Motorcycle Lawyer didn't get a chance to make it out to the 71st Annual Sturgis Rally in South Dakota, did you? If not no worries, here's what you missed!

To know how the rally got to be what it is today, you have to look back on its origins. In 1936 the forming of the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club is what started it all. Once they were officially chartered by the American Motorcycle Association a year later, AMA began promoting the events, which started the very first rally in Sturgis on August 14, 1938. With only nine racers that year, it's amazing to see the growth and support this rally has had to the present day. On the 40 acres that the club owns there is a light short track, motocross track, field meet area, hill climb area, clubhouse, office and state approved concession. (www.sturgis.com).
 

Just how big is this 71 year old rally? In attendance in 2008 were 400,000, 66 marriage licenses were issued, and 697 vendors were present. Can't wait to see what the stats were from this year!  With such a large population to entertain, the rally has an on-going wide range of events. Just some of the events that attendees enjoyed this year were swapping Harley Davidson parts, machine gun shooting, fire dancers, World's Biggest Biker Pool at 5,000 sq ft., “Burn-Out –In-The Sky," Star Boyz-Stunt Riders, The World Pickle Lickin' Federations World Champion Contest, World Famous Coleslaw Wrestling, AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, sky diving, checking out the latest custom bikes, tons of races and concerts, and even getting a souvenir tattoo!
 

For 30 years now Buffalo Chip's has been a part of the Sturgis Rally and to celebrate they pulled together a concert line-up to remember. Acts from this past rally included Alice Cooper, Styx, Buckcherry, Def Leppard, Poison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and  Puddle of Mudd, just to name a few.

And if that isn't enough, what could be greater than getting married in the great outdoors at a bike rally? Not much so thinks Mary-Maisey Ireland, wedding officiate and ceremony planner for weddings at Sturgis. Weddings are officiated year round in the Black Hills. Ireland works hard to make the ceremony personal by asking couples for little details like a favorite poem, song, etc.  And what better way to celebrate after than returning to a rally of 400,000!
 

Be sure to mark your calendar for this awesome time next year! The 72nd Annual Sturgis Rally will be held from August 6th thru August 12th 2012. For more information on accommodations, events, and photos from this year's rally visit www.sturgis.com.
 

The Motorcycle Lawyer recently discovered a new company Thermahelm which claims their helmets to be the airbags of motorcycles, and they're so cool they will literally put you on “ICE.”

Thermahelm essentially is a helmet that upon impact acts as a cooling pack for the brain. Brain injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents, which are typically due to swelling of the brain and medical response time. The thermahelm helmet claims to reduce brain swelling by keeping the brain cool for up to 45 minutes, allotting more time for emergency response.

Invented by neuro-protective specialist Julian Preston Powers in 2005, the basic science of the helmet is that it contains polystyrene foam, which is found in all helmets; the same foam used in walls, refrigerators and portable coolers. This specific foam is a great energy absorber in the event of an accident; however also being an insulator it can cause over heating for the wearer. Powers' helmet combines this foam technology with two chemical packs in the lining. The first pack contains ammonium nitrate and the other water. When an accident occurs and the helmet is impacted the packs mix to create a cooling reaction which will stabilize temperature of the brain and ease swelling.

The first round of helmets sold out when they were introduced in Britain for 999 pounds or 450 US dollars. Even with such a huge initial success, some consumers are skeptical. One reaction is that “anything like this distracts from the central message which is don't have the accident in the first place, be careful, and…you've got to have consideration for motorcyclists,” says Iam Mutch of the Motorcycle Action Group in Daily Tech's “Thermahelm Motorcycle Helmet Helps Prevent Injury by Inducing Brain Freeze.” Others like Martin Dugard British Speedway racer, believe it's important to protect yourself, especially the head. 
 

Beyond the safety aspects of Thermahelm's helmets, they've extended their cooling technology to comfort levels for motorcyclists as well with their ICE system (Internal Cooling/Extraction). This system consists of tubing which when activated releases compressed gas which can significantly cool the head by several degrees in a matter of seconds. This makes the rider more comfortable on hot summer days, but again promotes safety by helping riders stay concentrated in warmer weather conditions. The network of cooling tubes can be activated by a trigger which can be placed in any convenient spot for the rider. Some models even come with a built in GPS system which is traceable in the event of an accident, increasing medical response time.
 

Curious and want more information?  http://www.thermahelm.com/index.html
 

Many motorcyclists are familiar with groups whose main focus is to control the noise level of motorcycles and to stop them adding ”noise pollution” to certain areas.  Many states have a mandated decibel level for motorcycle exhausts, some higher than local citizens would like, some lower than bikers would like…
 

In New Hampshire, as unlikely as it seems, Seacoast Harley-Davidson has teamed up with local law enforcement to help enforce the mandated decibel level and educate non-bikers about the actual parameters of the laws and many misconceptions that the volume of noise they are hearing is not actually in violation of the law.
 

New Hampshire's maximum decibel level for motorcycle exhausts is 106 decibels.  Most local bikers have no problem complying with the level set by the state, however, some continue to use modified exhausts that exceed the maximum decibels and risk an $84 ticket.  At a press conference held at Seacoast H-D, police officials said they are considering suspending motorcycle registrations of repeat offenders as further incentive to comply with the law.
 

Seacoast Harley-Davidson helped fund the noise campaign including printing brochures explaining commonly misunderstood motorcycle laws.  They have even gone as far as putting up posters outside the dealership saying “Motorcycle Noise Annoys.”   The owner says that they “want to educate owners and the public about what legal motorcycle exhaust is.”  All motorcycles sold at their dealership are compliant with the law, as are most all motorcycles registered in general; a lot of the complaints are “perception problems.” 
 

The belief of Seacoast and New Hampshire police is that this partnership will help them come up with a solution locally that will meet everyone's needs.  In the 2010 ballot a group of citizens successfully created an ordinance that stated in the town of Hampton, motorcycles could not exceed 82 decibels.  North Hampton Police Chief Brian Page says that is it common knowledge, however, that he will not enforce this ordinance because it is overridden by state law.  He wants to make sure he is being fair to the citizens of Hampton as well as all motorcyclists passing through.
 

To find out the motorcycle noise restrictions in your state you can visit http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/motorcycle-noise-limits/