Before you ride your motorcycle, it’s best to know some safety tips and learn the most common causes of collisions to avoid injury and damage. Motorcycle accidents are not always caused by irresponsible bikers, as a responsible rider could also be struck by a car, truck, or vehicle. Here are some tips for preventing bike crashes.
1. Make Sure You’re Riding the Right Size Bike
When shopping for a bike, look at the seat height and frame size to ensure your bike fits you correctly. If you’re tall, go for bikes with higher frames. The bike shop owner might be able to give you further guidance on choosing the right motorcycle for you.
2. Double Check Your Brakes Before You Ride
Starting your bike up and checking that your brakes work is an excellent way to ensure everything is in good working order. Inspect and lubricate your brakes regularly, especially if it’s been some time since you’ve last ridden. If you’re going to be riding outside for an extended period (more than an hour or two), especially in the dark, make sure you pump up the tires.
If you are involved in an accident, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. They can help you identify the at-fault party and the cause of the crash. For example, if the crash was caused by faulty breaks, the fault lies with the bike manufacturer.
3. Always Wear a Helmet
After a bike accident, the majority of injuries are usually due to head trauma, so a helmet is your first line of protection. Ensure that the helmet fits correctly and that you wear fitted clothing around the helmet to prevent it from moving around or tilting with each bump. You may also want to wear a neck brace if you feel like your neck might be vulnerable in case of an accident.
4. Don’t Ride While Wearing Headphones
Riding with headphones is unsafe because you might not hear cars, pedestrians, or cyclists coming up behind you. You should also be careful if you’re wearing a hat or scarf while riding your bike, as they could fall off and cause a crash.
5. Keep Both Hands on the Handlebars
Whenever you ride your motorcycle, you should always keep both hands on the handlebars. This will prevent your arms from blocking your vision and allow you more control over the bike. It would help if you also had good posture, as this will make it easier for you to steer the bike in any direction.
6. Wear Reflective Clothing and Lights
Make sure you wear light-colored clothing to make yourself more visible at night. Ensure you also have bright lights on your bike so drivers can see you. Make sure to save your battery life by removing the batteries every couple of weeks and carrying extra batteries with you in an emergency.
7. Don’t Ride Too Fast
Riding too fast is a significant cause of bike accidents since you’ll be going too fast for drivers to see you or react in time. Ride at a speed you can stop within your visibility range.
8. Always Signal When Changing Lanes
Always signal when making turns or changing lanes to let drivers know what direction you plan on taking at any particular moment. This will ensure that you are not hit by another car and that the driver behind you is aware of your movements.
Seek Help From a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
It’s essential to use these tips and always be aware of your surroundings while riding your bike. Remember that more than half of all motorcycle crashes occur at intersections, so ensure that you properly assess the situation before proceeding.
As with any other transportation, staying safe while riding your bike is important. A motorcycle accident lawyer can be of help in case of a crash. They can identify the cause of the crash and help you claim compensation.
Irma C. Dengler
With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to make the best of her writing skills. She decided to turn complicated legal matters into something more
palatable for the masses. Therefore, Irma became a law communicator who writes about everyday problems so everyone can understand them and take the appropriate action. She specialized in personal injury cases, as they are more common than anyone thinks, but her areas of expertise also include civil law, criminal law, insurance-related issues, and more.
