Motorcycles are one of man’s greatest inventions. Nothing beats the freedom of speeding down an empty highway with nothing to hold you back. The power, the engine growl, and the ability to take the road less traveled all contribute to the place where motorcycles are today.
As exciting as all this sounds, motorcycles are also prone to accidents. That too, devastating ones. The lack of protective metal covering, like a car, is the main reason for this. This is also the reason why some of the common motorcycle accident injuries lie more on the serious end.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need legal assistance. They will help you
- Prove liability
- Take advantage of the evidence at hand
- Calculate compensation
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Represent you in court (if needed)
There’s also one other benefit of a lawyer: knowledge of the local laws. Knowing local laws is very important to winning cases because they vary from state to state. For instance, if you have been hurt due to a motorcycle accident in Houston, it is best to hire a Houston motorcycle accident lawyer because they will know the local laws.
You may think that motorcycle laws are pretty straightforward. Here’s something to blow your mind. According to data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, not all states have mandatory helmet laws. States like Iowa, Illinois, and New Hampshire have no laws regarding helmets.
Here’s something even better.
In the state of Florida, helmets are mandatory only for riders younger than 21.
There are more motorcycle laws that lean on the weirder side of things. This article lists 6 of them.
In Alabama, it’s legal to drive the wrong way on a one-way street if you have a lantern
Yes, you read that right!
Riding the wrong way on a one-way street is illegal, not just in Alabama but in other states as well. In Alabama, it is usually punishable by a fine of roughly $100 to $120.
However, if you’re carrying a lantern with you while riding the wrong way on a one-way street, then no crime has been committed.
In Oklahoma, it’s illegal to read if you’re riding a motorcycle
To be more specific, you’re not allowed to read comic books or graphic novels while riding a motorcycle.
Reading comics and/or graphic novels is regulated under distracted driving laws and can land you in the police’s net.
In Tennessee, you can hunt whales while riding a motorcycle
Tennesseans aren’t allowed to pull off drive-bys on any game, regardless of season. However, what they are allowed to hunt while riding a motorcycle are whales.
This law is particularly weird as Tennessee is surrounded by Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and Missouri.
In Alabama, it’s illegal to ride while blindfolded
Alabama appears on the list one more time.
You cannot ride a motorcycle while having a blindfold on. This law was regulated by lawmakers to make sure that riders follow visibility requirements while operating a motorcycle.
In Youngstown, Ohio, it’s illegal to run out of gas
If you’re in Youngstown, Ohio, make sure you’re riding a full tank. Not only will this help you reach your destination, but you can also avoid a misdemeanor charge.
A person who rides without sufficient fuel will be held guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses within specific time periods fall under the category of a third-degree misdemeanor.
In Arkansas, it’s illegal to honk near a restaurant after 9 PM
The law is specifically applicable to sandwich shops.
In the 1920s, cars would stop outside drive-up joints that sold sandwiches and cold drinks and honk to receive service. This trend disturbed the businesses and houses nearby so much that a law had to be introduced to stop it.
In the initial stages, the time limit was 11 PM. But it was later changed to 9 PM. The fine for honking after 9 PM can go up to $1000.
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