Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez riding on highway 101

Ahh, the ubiquitous cager. (persons who are driving in cars or other motor vehicles) The cager is the most dangerous “thing” to a motorcycle rider. The vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent cagers.

It’s usually the same story; “the cager did not see the motorcycle.”

I feel that most motorcycle accidents involving a car versus motorcycle, are caused by the person driving the car displaying a wanton and reckless disregard for the rights of the motorcycle rider to be on the road. In some cases cagers intentionally swerve towards motorcycle riders for whatever sick reason they have.

The cager is a dangerous animal. When you’re riding your motorcycle you must act as though the cager does not see you, or know that you’re there. Do everything that you can to avoid riding directly next to a cager because you never know if they are going to switch lanes right into you.

The cager is unpredictable and dangerous. Cars and Trucks are much more bigger than your motorcycle. No matter how big and tough you are, a 5 foot grandma is much tougher than you, when you are on a motorcycle and she is in a car.

Most accident cases involving cages occur in street intersections, and usually involve the cager making a left hand turn right in front of you. Always keep your headlights on, even during the day. You want to do everything possible to MAKE the cager see you. When you approach an intersection and you see that a cager is anxiously waiting to make a left turn in front of you, do not be afraid to sound your horn or flick on your high beams. I do this all of the time. Its better to error on the side of caution than end up in the emergency room or in the morgue.

When approaching an intersection anticipate that the cager will turn in front of you and visually plan in your head what you will do just in case they actually do. Motorcycle riders must use defensive and offensive riding to protect themselves against cagers. I cannot even count the number of times that a cager has made an unsafe turn in front of me.

Whatever you do, always approach every intersection with caution. You should not be riding so fast that you cannot survey the cross streets for persons who may run a stop sign or a red light. I always look at the cross streets when approaching an intersection for cagers who look like they are about to blow through the red light.

Many motorcyclist are injured when their rear ended at intersections by cagers. As a matter of fact many cars are rear ended as well.

I always recommend that when you come to a stop at an intersection that you keep your motorcycle in gear just in case you need to start rolling again quickly if you notice in your rearview mirror that you might be rear-ended.

Always survey your rearview mirrors while stopped at an intersection, for a Cager that looks like he is not going to stop. Do not be afraid to move your motorcycle out of the way. While stopped, survey your surroundings and try to formulate in your mind an escape route just in case you have to take evasive maneuvers.

This may seem like a lot to take in, however after you have ridden your motorcycle for a time, it will become like second nature. Motorcycle riders must be vigilant to protect their own safety.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. , Copyright 2006