Many Americans ride motorcycles as a pastime. They enjoy it for the feeling of freedom and beautiful views on the open road. However, motorcycle riders are especially vulnerable on the road due to a lack of protection around them. They need to take special care when riding to ensure they remain safe and avoid any accidents. A motorcycle accident can result in serious injury, but injured parties may be eligible for compensation if they aren’t at fault.
Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders
Riding a motorcycle is fulfilling for many people, and the enjoyment they get out of riding outweighs the risks. That being said, riders should still do their best to follow safety protocols and avoid potential accidents. Some motorcycle safety tips are as follows:
- Wear a full-face helmet: Helmets provide extremely important protection to the head and face. Full-face helmets include a shield for the face to ensure it remains protected in the event of an accident. A helmet will prevent a motorcyclist’s head from hitting the ground directly, helping to prevent serious injuries and even death.
- Inspect the bike before leaving: Motorcycles require a significant amount of maintenance to remain safe for the roads. Before any ride, a motorcyclist should check their tire pressure, mirrors, and headlights. Regular maintenance is important as well; oil changes, suspension adjustments, and fresh brakes can help prevent accidents in the long run.
- Know the weather: Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to bad weather while riding because they do not have the body of a car surrounding them. Motorcycles have significantly less stability than cars do, so ice and heavy rain can make riding extremely unsafe. Bad weather can also shorten a rider’s visibility, which increases the risk of an accident.
- Keep an appropriate speed: When a rider chooses to ride at a speed that is too fast for the road conditions or much higher than the speed limit, they are cutting down the amount of time they have to react. Things can appear on the road very quickly, so following the speed limit and riding slowly in bad weather is a good way to avoid a serious accident.
- Straight-line: Anyone riding a motorcycle should ride in single file on a one-lane road. They should refrain from riding through moving traffic and parked cars, as this increases the chances of an accident significantly.
- Don’t ride under the influence: Driving a motorcycle under the influence is extremely dangerous. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol severely lowers a cyclist’s ability to react in an emergency and can make them forget how to operate the vehicle correctly. Instead, motorcyclists should get a safe ride home and retrieve their motorcycle when it is safe for them to drive it.
- Eyes on the road: Anyone riding a motorcycle should make a point to look behind them any time their motorcycle slows down or comes to a stop. Being rear-ended on a motorcycle is significantly more dangerous than being rear-ended while riding in a car. Looking behind may provide them with enough time to get out of the way if a vehicle is approaching too quickly.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents occur for a number of reasons, many of which are preventable. However, they can still happen when cyclists take every safety precaution available to them. Common reasons these accidents occur include:
- Left turns: Motorcycle and vehicle collisions often happen when a vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle. This is why it is important for motorcyclists to ride when they have good visibility that won’t be impacted by bad weather.
- Gravel: Some roads will have loose gravel on them, which makes motorcycles even less stable than they are on a well-paved road. A motorcycle that hits a patch of gravel while making a turn is likely to slide and could cause an accident.
- Lane switches: Car drivers sometimes fail to notice a motorcycle in the lane next to them while driving on the highway. They then try to cross into that lane and end up hitting the motorcycle. The best way this type of accident can be avoided is for motorcyclists to stay out of vehicle blind spots.
- Being rear-ended: A motorcycle that has to stop suddenly is at a higher risk of being rear-ended by a vehicle behind them. This type of accident is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders because there is no form of protection surrounding them.
- Car doors opening: Many motorcycle accidents are caused by car doors suddenly opening in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Motorcyclists should try to avoid riding too closely next to parked traffic for this very reason.
- Motorcycle defects: Sometimes, a part of a motorcycle will fail while on the road. This can cause an accident, so routine maintenance is important. However, some parts fail because they were manufactured in a defective manner. This sort of failure may be unavoidable despite a motorcycle owner’s best efforts.
Seeking Justice After a Crash
Anyone injured in a motorcycle accident they believe another party is at fault for can make a personal injury claim. If their claim is successful, they will receive compensation for the losses they incurred because of the accident. Potential compensation includes:
- Reimbursement for medical bills
- Reimbursement for lost wages due to being unable to work after the accident
- Payment for pain and suffering
- Payment for a diminished quality of life caused by the injuries incurred in the accident
We’ll Fight with You
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and believe another party is at fault, contact Michael J. Doyle, Attorney at Law today. Our law firm can help you create a strong personal injury claim and fight on your behalf for the maximum compensation you deserve. We understand that our clients reach out to us during extremely difficult times. That’s why we provide one-on-one, personalized legal counsel for every client’s unique situation. Reach out at (505) 219-2176 or through our online form to schedule a consultation.