It goes without saying that driving a car and operating a motorcycle are two completely different things.
Motorcycles are fun, quick, and convenient, but they come with considerable risks.
Motorcycles have less impact protection than cars, and because of that, many more motorcycle crashes result in fatal accidents.
Motorcycle collisions are 27 times more likely to cause traffic fatalities than regular vehicle accidents.
And if you do survive, you are much more likely to end up with severe injuries and disabilities.
Motorcycle operators need to be mindful of these facts and do all they can to avoid an accident.
Common motorcycle accidents are dangerous and often lead to fatal crashes.
If you were involved in an accident, having the help of experienced motorcycle accident lawyers is crucial for your case.
Even though motorcycle collisions are difficult to avoid, motorcycle safety is still extremely important.
In the article below, we will discuss six safety tips to avoid a motorcycle accident and make it home safe.
Table Of Contents
- Stay Focused And Be Aware
- Always Wear A Helmet
- Assume You're Invisible
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Keep Your Distance
- Wear The Appropriate Gear
- Take Responsibility For Your Safety
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
1. Stay Focused and Be Aware
It's important to eliminate as many distractions as possible when you're motorcycle riding.
Even experienced riders need to be mindful of their surroundings and where the other cars are around them.
A sudden stop, change in the flow of traffic, or countless other obstacles could spring up at any moment, and if you aren't paying attention, the results could be fatal.
Avoid listening to music or daydreaming while you're riding.
Don't ride your bike if you feel sleepy or sluggish, and it goes without saying that you shouldn't even consider getting on your bike if you're under the influence of alcohol.
Even the tiniest distractions can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.
2. Always Wear a Helmet
You should always wear a helmet no matter what the circumstances.
Whether you're going for a quick ride down the street or a long haul across the country, your helmet should always be on.
Your helmet is often the only thing keeping you from becoming another motorcycle death statistic.
You should also try to keep an extra helmet with you for passengers.
And make sure you always buy your helmet new, never used.
Used helmets could be damaged and may not meet the latest safety standards.
3. Assume You're Invisible
Riding a motorcycle makes you harder to spot by motor vehicle drivers.
Other drivers sometimes fail to notice large pickup trucks, so you know they're extremely likely to miss you on your bike.
Studies have also found that people in cars subconsciously pay more attention to other cars on the road than they do to motorcycles.
Numerous motorcycle accidents occur because a car driver doesn't notice the motorcycle, and it appears to "come out of nowhere," even though the motorcycle has been trailing them for miles.
It's best to pretend that you're invisible so that no poor decisions are made based on assumptions.
4. Avoid Common Mistakes
Being aware of and avoiding common mistakes made by other inexperienced drivers is a great way to remain safe on the road.
One of the most common mistakes involving motorcycles occurs when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle rider.
Other common mistakes are:
- Hitting gravel around a corner
- Entering a turn too fast on slick roads
- Another vehicle cuts you off
- Riding on uneven surfaces
- You get rear-ended by another vehicle
- Getting hit by an opening car door
- Not being seen in a driver's blind spot
- Driving over the speed limit
- Sudden lane changes
- Aggressive drivers
- Riding in inclement weather
The best way to avoid these mistakes is to be aware of them.
As a motorcycle rider, you must develop a sixth sense and an advanced skill level compared to other motor vehicle operators.
You'll need to use your sixth sense and defensive techniques to remain aware of situations that could negatively affect you and that other drivers may not even be aware of.
5. Keep Your Distance
If you notice a car backing up into your path, let them finish.
If a car merges into your lane, make sure you give them plenty of room to maneuver.
When you stop at a red light, try to stop to the side of the lane to avoid getting rear-ended.
Don't drive between cars on a multi-lane road.
There is a high risk of accidents if a driver decides to merge or opens the car door while you're traveling between the lanes.
Car drivers are driving in a protective metal shell that you don't have on your motorcycle.
Motor vehicle accidents involving a car and motorcycle colliding are almost always more physically costly to the motorcycle rider, no matter who is at fault.
It's best to keep as much distance as possible between you and the next car.
6. Wear The Appropriate Gear
Besides a helmet, it's important to wear protective gear when you're riding your motorcycle.
You don't want to get on your bike wearing baggy jeans, sandals, and a loose t-shirt because you're more likely to get in an accident than if you were wearing protective gear.
There are plenty of factors you should consider that you'll need protection from while you're on your bike, including:
- Bugs and road debris
- The wind and weather
- Road rash if you do get in an accident
Gear specifically designed for motorcycle riders, such as shirts with bright colors, pants, eye protection, reflective gear, and shoes, is available.
You can find it at various retail stores or online.
Take Responsibility For Your Safety
While there is no way you can keep yourself safe 100% of the time, you can still follow these safety tips and take an active role in increasing your safety.
To some extent, you will always be at the mercy of other drivers while you're on your bike, but you can do things to keep yourself as safe as possible out there.
There are a multitude of factors to keep in mind while you're on your motorcycle, and though it can seem overwhelming, any one of those factors could save your life at some point down the road.
Regardless of your experience on a motorcycle, always be as safe and as responsible as you can possibly be.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you were involved in a bike wreck, and the accident was caused by another driver's negligent actions, you'll need the help of an experienced attorney to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
When someone else is the cause of your motorcycle collision, you deserve to be compensated for medical bills and damages that were sustained in the crash.
With the help of a personal injury law firm, you can rest assured that your case is in good hands.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will make sure you receive maximum compensation for damages.
Contact an experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney today if you were involved in a bike crash that wasn't your fault.
If you enjoyed this article, you should give these a read: