Biker Killed in Washington, DC Crash
A 28-year-old man died recently in a single vehicle motorcycle accident in Washington, DC, according to Patch.com. The accident happened at a little before 11:30 in the evening. Raheem Johnson was driving along the 2100 block of Queens Chapel Road, NE when he slammed into a parked truck on the other side of a bridge. The evidence shows that he attempted to stop, but he wasn’t able to maintain control and he crashed into the rear of the truck. At the time, the truck had all of its lights on, including emergency warning lights. It is believed that Johnson was speeding at the time. When emergency responders arrived on the scene, they say there were no signs of life.
About a month before that, another single vehicle accident claimed the life of another Washington rider in the area. Ali Hassan Ayub was 32 when he approached the intersection of Largo Road and Central Avenue in the Largo area. While taking the exit ramp, the bike skidded and slammed into a guardrail. Emergency services got him to the hospital where he died later. The official reason for the crash is unknown, but there didn’t seem to be any other vehicles involved.
Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exciting, but they certainly come with extra risks attached. For instance, there is a low margin for error, so speeding, even just a little bit, can have disastrous consequences. If you add in a wet and slippery road, then extreme caution is needed. Cars making careless left turns have a habit of missing motorcycles coming through the intersection from the other side, as well. As evidenced by Johnson’s fatal accident, stopping short can be a delicate balance between avoiding catastrophe and skidding right into a new one.
Corners can be much more difficult for bikers than they do for other vehicles. Since they only have two wheels, they tilt when going around a tight turn. If you’ve gone too fast to properly navigate that turn, you could end up rubbing your knee on the road, or worse, wiping out completely.
The toughest things to avoid are the things other motorists might do. Opening doors is a big hazard on busy city streets. Those who open doors look for cars, but may not be looking out for bikes, which are hard to see sometimes. Or, on highways, cars that change lanes may not notice a smaller motorcycle in its blind spot. Because of this, it’s up to bikers to be extra vigilant when it comes to blind spots and keeping track of potential car door openings.
If you get into a motorcycle accident, whether as a victim or as the rider, you’ll want to get yourself some legal representation. If someone has been injured, they can help you defend yourself against any allegations. If you’ve been injured yourself, then they can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call one today for a consultation.
