We extend our sincerest congratulations to the recipients of the 2023 Finney Injury Law Scholarship. It is with great honor and appreciation that we award these ten deserving students with a total of $25,000 in scholarship funds. Each student will receive $2,500 to use toward tuition, school supplies, and testing fees. It is through their dedication and hard work that they have earned this scholarship, and we thank them for their commitment to their education. We are confident that they will continue to excel and make a positive impact in their chosen fields. Thank you for allowing us to be a small part in their journey toward success. To learn more about the winners, visit FinneyInjuryLaw.com/blog/celebrating-2023-scholarship-winners . Congratulations to Our 2023 Scholarship Recipients
R. Ables – St. Louis University School of Law C. Birgans – University of Illinois Springfield M. Colvin – Howard University M. Cook – St. Louis University School of Law L. Iler - St. Louis University School of Law
J. Meadows – University of Missouri A. Perez - St. Louis University School of Law H. Porter – Lewis & Clark Community College G. Spiess – University of Missouri - Columbia K. Whitney – Howard University
WHY RIDERS AND DRIVERS BOTH PLAY A ROLE The Shared Responsibility of Motorcycle Safety
While motorcycle owners love the feeling of freedom and wind in their hair, there’s no doubt riding a motorcycle is riskier than driving a car. Motorcycles lack the protection other motor vehicles offer, and a collision with a motorcycle is also a direct collision with the rider. For that reason, both automobile drivers and motorcyclists must exercise caution on the road. Auto drivers play a crucial role in preventing motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles’ compact nature makes them easier to miss on the road, and many collisions occur when car and truck drivers don’t notice them. Drivers should always check their blind spots and mirrors before turning or changing lanes and stay a safe distance from motorcycles. Further, they should never try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane.
Motorcyclists, on the other hand, must drive defensively. The best course of action is to behave as if they are invisible. Assuming other vehicles cannot see them makes a rider more cautious and likely to avoid a collision. It’s also wise to consider enrolling in a motorcycle safety course. The most crucial thing motorcycle riders can do to protect themselves is wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet. Unfortunately, Missouri amended its helmet laws in 2020 and no longer requires riders 26 or older with health insurance to wear helmets. The Missouri Department of Transportation opposed the change, and the state experienced a 40% increase in motorcycle fatalities the following year — including an 800% increase in deaths among motorcycle riders who were not wearing helmets.
With this new reality, we urge drivers to be even more cautious around
motorcycles; a car can do significantly more damage to a helmetless rider. We also encourage everyone who rides a motorcycle to wear a helmet regardless of the law. It’s much safer and can affect your compensation in an accident. A jury might find a helmetless rider partially responsible for their injuries and award a lower recovery amount. Regardless of what the law says, wearing a helmet just makes sense. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that DOT- approved helmets reduce motorcycle operators’ fatality risk by 37% and lower the chance of head injury by 69%. That makes the safety measure well worth any hassle a helmet might cause.
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