• Dress appropriately! What you wear while riding in super cold weather is the first line of defense from the winter chill. Layer-up to give your body a nice warm pocket against the bitter cold. Synthetics on the inside, fleece and/or wool or other insulating layers on the outside. But don’t forget that final impermeable layer, for which denim does not work. Leather does and so do various nylon choices.
• Don’t neglect your hands and face. Wear gloves that cover the wrist enough to seal the jacket-glove gap and go for a pair that has a waterproof breathable liner inside. It may be obvious, but a full-face helmet keeps the warmth in much better than no helmet or an open-face helmet, so wear that full-face helmet and seal the area around your neck with a bandana, neck warmer, or even balaclava.
• Get a windshield. If your motorcycle does not have one, mount a windshield onto the handlebars to block the wind.
• Splurge for heated gear for long rides. Motorcyclists that are on the road for long periods of time will lose body heat regardless of the number of layers they have on. If stopping to get warm is not an option, go for electrically-heated gear, which uses the bike’s electrical system. Just make sure your charging system can handle the load.
• Stay hydrated. You can still dehydrate in winter weather.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Attorney

There are other dangers on the road during winter other than the weather. Motorists who do not practice the proper safety on icy roads or inclement weather put motorcyclists and others on the road in danger. If you have been injured in a Massachusetts motorcycle crash due to the negligence of another driver, the dedicated Boston motorcycle accident lawyers with the Kiley Law Group can help you obtain the compensation you need to make a full recovery.

Contact us today for a free legal evaluation of your accident claim at (888) 208-1695. The call may be free, but the information is priceless.

In this 2-part blog series on not letting winter win over your passion to ride, we will be providing some helpful tips and advice from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) for staying healthy, safe, and ultimately alive while riding this winter.

Winter Riding Tips

A large number of motorcyclists keep their riding season going through the frost-bitten winter by following certain strategies. If you don’t want the weather to dictate when you can ride, these tips can help you have a year-round riding season:

• Add an air-temperature thermometer. Black ice is very dangerous and forms when the temperature has reached the near freezing point. If you know the temperature, you can be extra cautious.
• Watch out for bridges. Because bridges are completely disconnected from the actual ground, they cool faster, making them more susceptible to icing.
• Don’t make sudden moves on ice. Do not touch the brakes, do not accelerate, just pull the clutch and coast until you’re clear of the ice patch.
• When in doubt, pull over. Hypothermia is a reality when riding in winter weather. If you’re feeling cold, always pull over. A warm restaurant or café and a piping hot cup of coffee or tea will set you right to continue your ride. Uncontrolled teeth chattering and shivering is a real sign of danger. If you have gotten to that point, you have to pull over and get warm.

The Boston motorcycle attorneys and avid motorcycle enthusiasts at the Kiley Law Group are committed to helping fellow motorcyclists stay safe while riding this winter.

Please check back later this week for Part 2 of our winter riding blog series for more AMA cold weather riding tips and strategies.

1. Be legal, get licensed. Unlicensed drivers are more likely to be involved in a motorcycle accident than licensed riders. Although the license itself does not necessarily increase the skills of the rider, it does help the rider take motorcycling more seriously. Attitude is very important to a long and safe riding career.
2. Get training, but not from your friends. It’s great when someone close to you is a skilled rider, but that doesn’t mean that the person is a good teacher. It is best to stick with professional and objective instructors when learning to ride.
3. Don’t go for the Ducati for your first bike. While it is very tempting to just go for the motorcycle of your dreams for your first bike, it is never the best choice. Your first bike, which you will probably drop quite a few times while learning to ride, should be inexpensive and less powerful.
4. Get the proper gear. Regardless of your state’s motorcycle helmet law, it is important to protect yourself with a well-fitted helmet. Other important pieces of safety gear are gloves, boots, riding jacket, and riding pants.
5. Ride with others. At least when you start out, riding with other experienced motorcyclists can help you develop your own skills.

When to Call a Massachusetts Motorcycle Attorney
At the Kiley Law Group, our experienced Boston motorcycle crash attorneys, who are also motorcycle enthusiasts and riders, understand the importance of riding legally and safely, but that is usually not the problem. Most motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts are caused by motorists who do not know how to share the road with motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has suffered injury in an MA motorcycle crash due to the negligent or reckless actions of another driver, you have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

Call us today at (888) 208-1695 for a free legal consultation. We can help you understand your legal rights and options.

What Beginning Riders Must Learn
The standards set the basic skills and content that all novice motorcycle riders must be taught. Various experts in research, operator licensing, traffic safety, curriculum development, and rider training contributed to the standards, which are split into six categories:

1. Motorcycle Pre-Ride Tasks
2. Street Strategies
3. Vehicle Control Skills
4. Tasks Related to Carrying Passengers, Cargo, Group Riding, and Touring
5. Roadway Management Skills
6. Factors Adversely Affecting Rider Performance
7. Model Standards in the Works

Currently, the NHTSA is developing the Model Standards for Motorcycle Rider Training Programs which focus on administrative standards for implementing motorcycle training programs.

Why These Standards Fall Short
Although both sets of Model Standards will be very helpful in preparing motorcyclists individually to hit the road, it does not prevent motorcycle accidents caused by other motorists who do not know how to share the road with motorcycles. Most Massachusetts motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers of other motor vehicles who fail to yield the right-of-way or don’t watch for motorcyclists. A publication for other motorists on safe driving around motorcycles would be beneficial.

When to Contact a Boston Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At the Kiley Law Group, our experienced Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys are committed to obtaining just compensation for motorcyclists who have been injured as the result of another’s negligence. We can explain your legal rights and help you file a successful personal injury claim.

Before you make any statements or submit any documents to the insurance company, call (888) 208-1695 for your free legal consultation. Tom Kiley is an avid rider and motorcycle enthusiast who has successfully represented injured bikers for 30 years.

Chelmsford Motorcyclist Crashes Into Dump Truck
Richard Healy, 25, of Chelmsford crashed his Honda CBR100 motorcycle into the back of a dump truck in Peabody on I-95 South last week.

Authorities are reporting that Healy was speeding and weaving his bike in and out of the breakdown lane just prior to the collision.

The Metrowest Daily News reported that Healy was charged with operating to endanger, speeding, riding in the breakdown lane on the highway, as well as attaching plates. The driver of the dump truck was not injured in the accident, while the motorcyclist sustained severe injuries.

Here are some lessons to draw from this Peabody motorcycle accident:

• Don’t Speed Behind a Truck
• Always Follow the Rules of the Road
• Never Ride in the Breakdown Lane

Tynsboro Motorcyclist Hurt After Crash with Pickup Truck
Armand Guillmette, 56, of Tyngsboro was injured while riding his motorcycle that was towing a trailer in Rochester, NH, when another driver went through a stop sign at the intersection of North Main and Twombly Streets and struck Guillmette last week.

According to The Union Leader, Guillmette was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Thankfully, Guillmette was wearing a helmet and this prevented him from suffering more severe injuries in the motorcycle collision. The driver who struck Guillmette was cited by officials for not stopping at the stop sign.

The simple yet significant lesson learned in this Rochester, NH accident is:

• Always Wear a Helmet

Chelsea Biker Dies in Fall Off Route 1
Cory White, 40, of Chelsea died after the Triumph motorcycle he was on rode off of a raised section of Route 1 North in Chelsea this past Wednesday night and then crashed onto 6th Street below.

Authorities have stated that White landed onto the roadway below after falling approximately 30 feet off of Route 1. The fatal motorcycle crash happened just before 7:00pm.

The Boston Globe has reported that the Massachusetts State Police continue to investigate the tragic crash and encourage anyone who may have seen the accident to contact them.

At this time, officials have not determined what the exact cause of the crash was.

Troopers are unsure if excessive speed may have been a factor, if road conditions could have contributed to the crash, or if a second vehicle could have been involved that resulted in White’s fall. If any of these factors played a role in this fatal crash, an important lesson to keep in mind would be to always be aware of your surroundings while riding.

If you take a ride this weekend, have fun and bike safely.

Brought to you by the Boston motorcycle accident lawyers and avid motorcycle enthusiasts at the Kiley Law Group.

Call 1-800-410-2769 for a free legal evaluation of your motorcycle accident case.

The article points out that 2/3 of all motorcycle crashes are caused by passenger cars. Typically, these kinds of crashes involve a car failing to yield to the line of traffic that has the right-of-way or a driver who may not even see the motorcyclist coming. This is where loud pipes on a bike play the role of ensuring the biker gets noticed by other cars. However, the EIN article points out that the noise of the bike carries to the back of the bike, meaning that cars in front of the biker will not have the right perception of where the biker is. Besides a bike’s loudness factor, it’s suggested that motorcyclists wear bright colors to be more noticeable to other drivers and to steer clear of known blind spots in order to avoid a motorcycle accident. The more space in between a car and a motorcycle never hurt either.

Another common misperception about the safety of a biker is that regardless of the level of experience, accidents can still happen to anyone. No matter how safely we drive and ride, we still can’t control the actions of other drivers while sharing the roadways. An additional myth to overcome is the perception that most motorcycle accidents happen on a highway, when, in fact, most crashes don’t occur on the highway. Bikers are actually safer when riding on a highway because traffic is flowing in one direction and there are no intersections to worry about. Lastly, the article points out that some bikers may rationalize 1 or 2 drinks before getting back on their bike, but the truth is that 1 drink is simply 1 too many.

When you hit the road with your bike this spring, remember to ride responsibly.

When Should You Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s recklessness in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, call a Boston accident attorney with Kiley Law Group for a free case evaluation at 1-800-410-2769.

Also, order your free copy of Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts motorcycle book today!

DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.

This new technology has been dubbed the Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety and it’s already in its beginning stages of development. The wait for DADSS may require some patience, as it could take 10 years until the sensors are ready to be installed in U.S. cars.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood watched the technology in action at QinetiQ recently. A prototype was presented that analyzes whether or not an individual who gets behind the wheel has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater. If DADSS picks up a BAC at or more than the legal limit, the vehicle will not be able to start for the intoxicated driver. The BAC of a driver is set to be measured either by analyzing the person’s breath or through the skin, by means of sensors installed on the driving wheel and other locations.

The president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Laura Dean Mooney, is enthusiastic about the proposed technology and hopes that preventing a vehicle from starting will realistically translate to lives that are saved. Mooney stated that she hopes to see DADSS become as commonly known as anti-lock braking systems or air bags that are in the cars we drive now.

Motorcycles were involved in nearly 4,595 fatal crashes across the country in 2009, accounting for just over 10% of the total number of deadly accidents in the U.S. that year. This new technology could pave the way to take drunk driving off the road for good and protect drivers and riders everywhere. Let’s hope it does just that.

When Should You Contact a Boston Injury Lawyer?
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident because of a drunk driver in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, call the Boston motorcycle accident lawyer Thomas M. Kiley for a free case evaluation at 1-800-410-2769. Also, order your free copy of Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts motorcycle book today!

Maybe we think that because our cars feel so safe, we can focus a little more on the music we listen to, the calls we make and take with our cells, and all the other distractions that make their way into your thoughts as you make your way through traffic. In the blink of an eye, we can avoid an accident by swerving, braking, or turning sharply. Even if there’s no time to act, the seatbelts will keep us in our seats and the airbags will deploy.

Riding a motorcycle, on the other hand, is a completely different scenario. If you ride a motorcycle, you know that one wrong move can mean a severe injury or even death. There were nearly 4,500 reported fatalities in 2009 that resulted from motorcycle accidents across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The key to staying safe on your motorcycle (and staying alive) is responsibility. You must be responsible for your own safety while on the road. Sign up for safety courses and take some time to really perfect your swerving, turning, and stopping while on your bike. And most importantly, be vigilant. All the other drivers on the road aren’t watching out for you, so you have to watch out for yourself.

When Should You Contact a Boston Injury Lawyer?
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, call the Boston motorcycle accident lawyer Thomas M. Kiley for a free case evaluation at 1-800-410-2769. Also, order your free copy of Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts motorcycle book today!

Some regions of Massachusetts saw about 20 inches of snow, while other areas found themselves in about a foot of snow. Some power outages were reported in Groveland and Boxford, with repair crews working through the morning to fix wiring that was damaged from fallen trees.

Norfolk and Plymouth counties had the worst of the power outages, with almost 20,000 customers without power this morning. Parts of the South Shore and Cape Cod also had power outages, leaving about 11,000 in the dark. Towns along the coast were affected by flooding in addition to a heavy blanket of snow, with evacuations ordered in a few coastal towns. A flood warning is still in effect in some areas along the water.

Yesterday, Governor Deval Patrick encouraged residents to stay indoors for the storm and not to venture out and it seems a lot of people listened to the advice.

When Should You Contact a Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, call the Boston motorcycle lawyer Thomas M. Kiley for a free case evaluation at 1-800-410-2769. Also, order your free copy of Thomas M. Kiley’s Massachusetts motorcycle book today!

Alcohol disrupts the effect of neurotransmitters and impairs the psychomotor skills of the operator, causing an impaired judgment, inattentiveness, delay in response, and an overall increased risk of engaging in a collision.

This study focused on measuring the effect of alcohol (up to a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .08 grams per deciliter) on a broad set of basic riding skills based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s training program.  

In general, researchers found that intoxicated motorcyclists had longer response times and adopted larger tolerances leading to more task performance errors. Riders aimed to protect their bike’s stability at the expense of other task performance. Wherever possible, riders tried harder to compensate for the negative effects of alcohol, but most of the alcohol effects were evident at the per se BAC .08 g/dL level. Some of the effects were even observed at the lower BAC .05.

Last year, there were 334 fatal crashes caused by alcohol intoxication in Massachusetts alone. One hundred and eight of them (32%) were caused by operators who had s BAC .08 or higher. Since we know the negative effects of alcohol on driving and motorcycle riding skills, we advise riders to excercise caution and refrain from drinking before hitting the road.

More information about the study can be found on the NHTSA website.

If your loved one has suffered serious injury or death in a motorcycle accident, BEFORE you sign any insurance forms or hire a lawyer, get Thomas M. Kiley’s free motorcycle book. To contact an experienced Massachusetts motorcycle lawyer, call the toll-free number 1-800-410-2769 for a FREE Consultation.