There were 88,000 motorcycle injuries out of 8,600,936 registered motorcycles in the United States in 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. With a rate of 1,028 injuries per 100,000 motorcycles, it's important to be as safe as possible every time you ride.
1. Wear Protective Gear
Whether you're driving or riding, wearing a helmet is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself on your bike. Opt for a full-face helmet if possible or wear protective goggles to protect your eyes.
Protective clothing is also important. If you are in a crash, leather clothing, boots, and gloves can minimize your injuries.
2. Improve Your Riding Skills
Driving a motorcycle is different from any other type of vehicle. It's important to make sure you know how to handle your bike properly and what to do in the event of a crash or other emergency situation.
Taking a course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is an excellent way to learn or practice your riding skills, and some insurance companies give discounts to riders who complete a safety course.
3. Stay on the Defensive
Be mindful of traffic around you and obey all the traffic laws, including the speed limit, but don't assume other drivers will do the same. Keep your headlights on, even if you're riding in the daytime. Stay out of drivers' blind spots and don't follow too closely — leave at least 30 feet between your bike and the nearest vehicle whenever possible.
4. Don't Drive in Bad Conditions
It's best to keep your bike at home when the weather gets nasty. Rain, heavy winds, and fog can all drastically reduce your visibility and make it harder to maneuver your motorcycle, especially when turning or braking. Poor weather conditions also make it harder for other drivers to see you and increases their stopping time.
If you get caught in inclement weather while you're riding, stay further back from traffic than you normally would and try to find the nearest safe stopping point and wait for conditions to improve if possible.
Be mindful of your own condition too. Don't drive a motorcycle if you're intoxicated or overtired.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact a local personal injury attorney with experience in motorcycle crashes to see if you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For more information, contact companies like Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers.
Share18 November 2019
Hello everyone, my name is Nina Zoulon. On this site, I am going to share information about hiring a personal injury attorney. I will also talk about my journey to procuring those services for myself. When I was a beginning driver, I was on the road constantly. During one of those excursions, a driver going the opposite direction crossed the centerline and plowed straight into my vehicle. I was trapped by the dashboard for hours while firefighters helped me escape. After the accident, the other driver tried to blame my inexperience on the accident. I hired a lawyer to help me fight the case and I won. I would like to discuss personal injury attorney services in more detail to help other people win their cases in court. Thanks.
