*This is the first part of a two-part series

In a perfect world, car drivers would be aware of everything on the road — including motorcyclists. Unfortunately, crash statistics show that bikes are sometimes invisible to motor vehicle drivers.

Experienced drivers can use the following information as a review. New drivers should study the acronym “SIPDE,” an easy-to-remember guide to staying safe on the road. SIPDE stands for: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute. This blog post will cover Scan and Identify. Next week, we will look at the remaining three.

S: SCAN — Motorcycle riders must scan the roads for potential hazards at all times. The faster you see a problem ahead, the quick you can take action to avoid it.

I: IDENTIFY — Sometimes, you may have to make decisions based on which potential hazards you need to react to and what action you will take. There are at least three categories of hazards to consider:

A hazard involving another vehicle can be disastrous; take immediate and accurate action.
A hazard involving a pedestrians or animal also requires quick reaction. People and animals are unpredictable.
A stationary object isn’t going to move out of your way, obviously. Therefore, as a rider, you must consider this when planning — in a split second — your avoidance strategy.

Accidents happen. However, if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle injury lawyer who will fight for your rights. Talk to Andrew Prince, Esq., today about how he can help you get compensated for injuries sustained in a bike crash in New Jersey.