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  "Some careless drivers forget two very   important rules of the road, look twice and save a life, and watch out - motorcycles are everywhere." says Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. 

On December 28, 2012 in Lee County, Florida, a woman passenger on a motorcycle was critically injured when a car pulled in front of the bike.  On January 10, 2013 it was reported she subsequently died. As is frequently the case in the majority of motorcycle accidents, the accident occurred in an intersection.

In the winter months traffic increases dramatically in Southwest Florida.  This increase brings the potential of more accidents involving motorcycles.  The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) provides the following "Quick Tips for Motorists":

1.  There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.

2.  Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is.  It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed.  When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3.  Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4.  Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is.  Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.

5.  Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light.  Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

6.  Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change.  Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7.  Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind.  Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.

8.  Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at sower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

9.  Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult.  Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."

10.  When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.