The public does not know motorcycle accidents can injure riders more than car crashes injure drivers, so rider precautions are as necessary as seat belts. Motorcycle riders can be thrown to their deaths or long-term disability in minor crashes. Automobiles provide a shell to drivers that motorcyclists cannot match, even with safety gear.
Consider these risks each time you approach the road on your bike. Go to great lengths to protect yourself, drive defensively, and minimize injury with safety gear. If all fails and you are fortunate enough to walk away from an accident, get a lawyer to help you sort out liabilities as well as handle personal injury compensation.
Do Not Trust Drivers Will Look Out For You
After so many years of riding, you may feel secure in your skills and relax among cars or trucks. Never overestimate your safety on a bike amidst large vehicles.
Unfortunately, aggressive tailgaters and speed demons abound from small-town streets to big city interstate highways. Sometimes, especially at night, even good drivers may not see your small motorcycle even though they hear it. Always drive defensively.
- Understand the odds are you will suffer the most injury, pain, and suffering in a collision.
- Do not weave between cars, trucks, and other motorcycles.
- Pass cars and trucks carefully. Always signal lane changes.
- Switch lanes or let cars pass if you feel the drivers are aggressive.
Wear Protective Gear
The gear you wear is crucial for protecting you in the event of an accident.
A Certified Helmet
Good friends take keys from drivers whose intoxication is a risk, and the same should be done for motorcycle riders who try to start up without helmets. If you have the choice between parking a motorcycle and driving without a helmet, park your bike and get home another way. Helmets prevent brain injuries, comas, and death when accidents take place.
Choose standards that work for the pros, including police officers and race car drivers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation certifies helmet brands according to proven techniques. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard means the helmet meets optimal safety recommendations for such factors as:
- Durability
- Peripheral vision requirements
- Holding strap grip and retention
- Object penetration and impact protection
Resist the temptation to pay less for a lightweight, uncertified helmet. Also, be wary of counterfeit certified helmets. Check for the official DOT symbol, or European equivalent ECE 22.05, on the back of helmets.
A High-Quality Motorcycle Jacket
Motorcycle jackets are not only cool fashion. When a collision sends a rider tumbling across the pavement, an adequate jacket could help minimize shocking pain.
They should have safety features woven into the heat-resistant fabric. These minimize burns, abrasions, and rider invisibility on dark or packed roads. Other essential functions include:
- Waterproof or storm-resistant material
- Attached or strap-on armored padding
- Bright colors or designs on the back, for visibility
Motorcycle Glasses
Glare from the sun is not all your only worry. At high speeds, bugs or flying objects could land in your eyes and blind you into an accident.
Use wide, shaded glasses in the daytime and transparent visors at night. To avoid view distortions and self-imposed blind spots, clean your glasses before and after each ride.
Educate Yourself and Maintain Your Bike
It won't hurt you to take a motorcycle safety course if you are a frequent biker. This course will go over the latest safety and traffic laws as well as teach emergency response tactics. Experience is a great teacher, but the course can add confidence.
A serviced, well-maintained bike is a great safety asset. Regularly check and repair:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Lights
After you seek immediate medical treatment for a motorcycle accident and come down from the shock, you must start holding all liable parties accountable for the accident. The personal injury attorneys of Meade Law Group are experienced professionals Johnson City, TN communities trust for our history of winning the appropriate restorations for our clients. Visit online or contact us today for your motorcycle injury case review.
