January 21, 2014

Updates from the Law Offices of Jason Waechter

In this issue…

·  Best of 2013

·  The Yellow Dog Project

·  Bikes on Ice: Ice Racing in Michigan

·  Slippy riding: What you need to know

·  Could lane-splitting increase biker safety?

·  Upcoming Events in Michigan

Last Year Was a Blast!
Our "best of 2013" lists for your viewing pleasure

We compiled some of our favorite events and photos to share with you some of the “bests” of 2013, including:

Our Favorite 2013 Memories. As a team, we get to do a lot of neat stuff and meet a lot of cool people throughout the year.

Where Did the Truck Go? We visited motorcycle events all over Michigan in 2013.

Sweetest Rides. We saw some amazing bikes last year… check this out!

Our Cutest Photos. From adorable kids to puppies, here is a collection of cuteness from 2013.

The Funniest Photos from 2013. Enjoy!

The Yellow Dog Project

Yellow ribbon? Give them space

The Yellow Dog Project is a global movement that started in Canada. The goal of the project is to educate the public and help people identify dogs that need space or should be approached with caution.

Read our dog bite blog to learn more about this initiative.

What off-season? We're just getting started
Michigan's ice-racing season heats up this winter

There is one group of bikers that looks forward to the snow and ice almost as much as I look forward to spring: motorcycle ice racers. According to FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), the first recorded ice races took place in Sweden back in 1924.

Racing in the freezing cold on a slab of slipperiness you would normally avoid at all costs seems crazy, but ice racing is a wild ride that embraces the skills of the hardiest riders. Click here to read all about Michigan's amateur ice racing events in an article we originally published in Thunder Roads magazine.

The Law Offices
of Jason Waechter

Jason Waechter and his team of lawyers specialize in personal injury law across the United States. If you or anyone you know has been injured, please call us today… we want to help!

Headquarters:
19080 W. Ten Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI, 48075

1-800-708-LIFE

1-877-BIKER-LAW

Slippy Riding

How to ride on slippery roads

Even in the warmest parts of the country, the roads can get a little iffy in the winter. Rain, humidity, oil, fluids, and debris can cause you to slide, but slippery roads don't have to ruin your ride. I compiled some tips for dealing with rain and other debris on the roads.

When is the road most slippery?

a)      After it's been raining hard for at least an hour.

b)      During a light rain or shortly after rain begins.

c)       When it rains at night.

Click here to find out! There are a lot of lightweight and comfortable options available to help keep you dry while you ride, so plan ahead. The best rule of thumb: steer, brake, and maneuver smoothly and with confidence, regardless of the road conditions.

Lane-Splitting: Could it increase rider safety?
AMA endorses lane-splitting for safety. Do you?

In the January 2014 edition of their magazine, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) released a position statement endorsing lane-splitting for motorcyclists. In case you don't know the term, lane-splitting means riding between lanes of traffic. It's most often seen when traffic is heavy and moving slowly. The AMA's position is that lane-splitting, when done in a safe and responsible manner, can help motorcyclists avoid being hit by inattentive motorists in heavy traffic.

What is another name for lane-splitting?

a)      White-Lining

b)      Yellow-Lining

c)       Black-Lining

d)      Red-Lining
 

Click here to read the article and find out.

My opinion: I think there are a lot of distracted drivers on the roads today that are putting motorcyclists at risk, whether they are lane-splitting or not. I think if lane-splitting is going to work, car and truck drivers would need to be even more vigilant about watching for motorcycles. I think there would need to be a lot more awareness and education for motorists about how to share the road with bikers.