As motorcycle accident law specialists, we never like to see an injured biker come through our door. The reason is that motorcycle injuries are so often incredibly damaging. Between property, health, and mental state, almost every rider that gets into a crash pays a hefty price. Luckily, there are a variety of ways you can stay safe while out on the roads. The following article explains the most effective safety methods, coming from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
Always Wear a Helmet
No matter how safe you are, accidents are inevitable. When they happen, your best shot at keeping your health intact is wearing a helmet. The reason is that almost no other injury poses a threat to your life. Scrapes heal and broken bones mend, but a cracked skull usually does not. Furthermore, you might experience a traumatic brain injury, like a concussion. This type of damage often causes long-term physical effects and sometimes even personality changes.
Utilize Other Protective Gear
Though helmets are the most important, there is a variety of protective gear out there that will keep the rest of your body from suffering damages. The most effective of this equipment is leather clothes, riding boots, and gloves. While a case of road rash will heal eventually, it will be a painful couple of months before it does. Your best bet is avoiding that injury altogether with the help of protective gear.
Be Defensive
Those that drive automobiles have a variety of protections at their disposal. They include the metal box surrounding them, seatbelts, and airbags. The result of these features is a relatively low risk of severe injury from crashes. Instead, their equipment lessens the impact, and they often get out unscathed. Motorcycle riders do not have this luxury, as they are mostly unprotected on the roads. For this reason, you should never be aggressive. No matter how much of a rush you’re in, your best bet is being defensive.
Stay Sober
You see advertising campaigns against drunk driving on television, bus stops, and everywhere else, but is it really that dangerous? The statistics show us that, yes, it absolutely is. In fact, alcohol plays a role in 28% of fatal car accidents (source: NHTSA). This is a staggering number when you think about the magnitude of it. Alcohol aside, you should abstain from any other type of drugs when you plan to drive soon after.
Avoid Riding Tired
Another mistake people making is riding while fatigued. Though it might surprise you, researchers have shown that driving tired is nearly as bad as being drunk. When you do so, your judgment falters, your reaction time slows, and you are at risk of falling asleep entirely. Each of those outcomes can lead to tragedy.
Resist Distractions
Though motorcycle riders are much better at this than drivers are, many still choose to succumb to distractions. The most common of them are cell phone activities, but this category includes activities like eating, daydreaming, and any other action that takes your eyes off the road. What you can do instead is keep your attention forward and wait until your ride is over before carrying out the distracting task.
Regular Maintenance
Lastly, you need to make sure your bike is in proper condition. The reason is that even if you do everything ride, malfunctioning machinery can lead to a collision. To do so, check for leaks, low tire pressure, bald tires, dim headlights, and coolant levels. Next, make sure your brakes are in working order. The state of your bike can mean the difference between a collision and a near miss, so prioritizing it is in your best interest.
Though motorcycle crashes are often severe, that doesn’t mean you have to stop riding. Instead, you can enjoy the lifestyle and cost savings associated with bike ownership while also following safety guidelines. Doing so will give you the best of both worlds. Of course, if you ever do get unlucky and find yourself in an accident, you can always talk to a local motorcycle accident lawyer for assistance.
