Summer is turning deadly for motorcyclists in Ohio

Motorcyclist deaths are up in Ohio this year, but there are things motorists can do to keep the roads safe.

For motorcyclists, the warm summer months mean one thing: riding season. However, with more motorcyclists on the road, summer also tends to mean an increase in motorcycle accidents. This summer has been no different, with WKYC News reporting a significant increase in motorcycle fatalities in Ohio so far in 2016, with nearly half of those fatalities occurring during the month of June alone. The stark figures should serve as a reminder not just to motorcyclists themselves, but to all motorists about the importance of driving safely and sharing the road.

Motorcycle fatalities up

As of early August, there have been a total of 638 traffic fatalities in Ohio, with 91 of those deaths being motorcycle-related. That increase means that overall traffic deaths have increased by 2.5 percent this year compared to the same time last year. Furthermore, the motorcyclist fatalities are on track to being the highest since 2012.

As the Ohio State Highway Patrol notes, in 2015 there were a total of 163 motorcyclist fatalities. Given that in June of this year alone there were 43 motorcyclist fatalities – and also given the fact that there’s still a few months left in the riding season – it looks as though 2016 will shape up to be a particularly deadly one for riders in the Buckeye State.

Staying safe on the road

Keeping motorcycle accidents down is the responsibility of all drivers, including motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists alike. To protect themselves, motorcyclists can do things like wear a helmet and reflective gear, as well as take other measures to increase their visibility. Combining hand signals with indicators, for example, is a good way of making sure other drivers are aware of one’s presence on the road.

For other motorists, it is extremely important to be alert and aware at all times. Many motorcycle accidents occur because drivers fail to check their blind spots or they drive overly aggressively around motorcyclists. It’s important to remember that what may be a minor collision involving two cars can turn deadly if it involves a motorcycle. In addition to being courteous drivers and sharing the road, drivers should also indicate when turning or changing lanes, always be aware of the possibility of motorcyclists in their blind spots, and never cut off or tailgate a motorcycle.

Personal injury law

As traffic accidents continue to rise in Ohio, it is important for anybody who has been hurt in an accident to get help as soon as possible, such as from a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney can be particularly helpful in the aftermath of a crash, including by helping victims understand whether they may be able to pursue financial claims that can help them cope with the fallout of an accident.