As many in Connecticut begin to ride their motorcycles again after a long winter, other motorists may not think about the sudden influx of these bikes on the roadways. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the American Motorcyclist Association is appealing to motorists to check their blind spots and mirrors, and to be aware of their surroundings when driving.

The chief executive officer and president of AMA said that there are currently over 1,124 federal and state bills that would affect a motorcyclist’s rights or motorcycle safety. Awareness issues receiving top attention this year include driver and motorcyclist training and distracted driving. The latter is the subject of over 150 bills that state legislators are considering. Some of the bills ban the use of any electronic device by a driver, while others will ban minors from using an electronic device.

The AMA started Motorcycle Awareness Month in the early 1980s. Many government entities, state motorcycle rights organizations and AMA-sanctioned clubs now recognize this motorcycle safety and awareness campaigns.

Motorists need to avoid following motorcycles too closely, respecting motorcycles on the road and looking twice at intersections for motorcycles.

Those who are injured in motorcycle accidents have a right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Motorcyclists are often seriously injured or killed in accidents simply due to the lack of protection around them. When this happens, it devastates the victims and their families. Seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more can help an injured motorcyclist or the family of a motorcyclist who was killed begin to put the pieces of their lives back together.

Source: American Motorcyclist Association, “American Motorcyclist Association highlights May as Motorcycle Awareness Month,” April. 30, 2015