Wondering how to prevent motorcycle accidents? No matter how careful you are on your motorcycle, there is always the chance that you might get an accident. Motorcycle accidents can be expensive, frustrating, and can cause serious personal injuries and in some cases disability. The actions you take immediately you are involved in an accident can have a great impact when it comes to claiming personal injury compensation. However, the process can be tedious and expensive as it involves getting an attorney and filing a case. The best way to avoid this whole situation is avoiding a motorcycle accident. Here is how to prevent accidents when riding a motorcycle.
- Ensure You Always Wear Protective Gear
Always wear a thick jacket, helmet, padded gloves, bike pants, and knee protectors whenever you ride on your motorcycle. Wearing protective gear, even in states where it is not mandatory, can go a long way towards minimizing injuries in case of an accident.
- Never Ride Your Motorcycle When Intoxicated
Just like cars, it is not advisable to ride a motorcycle when intoxicated. You are more likely to get into an accident when you ride after consuming alcohol or drugs. When you are intoxicated, your reaction speed and balance is affected. It also impairs your judgment when on the road. This not only puts you at risk of injuries but endangers other road users as well. It is illegal to ride your bike when intoxicated.
- Adjust Your Bike Riding Styles Based on Road and Weather Conditions
While cruising on your motorcycle in good weather is a breeze, it becomes very easy to lose control of your bike in bad weather. This is especially common when riding in conditions that make visibility a problem. When the road is wet, it becomes harder to make emergency stops and this increases the chances of getting into accidents. Make sure to reduce your speed during bad weather. This gives you adequate time to react in case you need to make emergency stops. Keep a reasonable distance when following or passing vehicles on the road. Make careful turns as most people lose control when maneuvering turns and corners.
- Be Cautious and Exercise Good Judgment
Another way to prevent motorcycle accidents is ensuring that you always adhere to the traffic laws, road signs, and avoid risky maneuvers. A good percentage of all motorcycle accidents occur as a result of a rider’s recklessness on the road. This means that most accidents can be avoided if the rider is more cautious on the road. Avoid speeding as it leads to more than one-third of motorcycle accidents. When you speed, you lose control, increase stopping time/distance, and increase the chances of crashing. Always indicate whenever you need to take turns to avoid the likelihood of being hit. Avoid splitting lanes as it exposes you the possibility of being hit by another motorist who wanted to merge into these lanes.
- Be Vigilant on The Road
Normally, bikes are not visible to motorists and thus it is the job of the rider to ensure they remain as visible as possible. Be sure to use your lights and horns to alert the motorists of the turns you intend to take. Ensure all your lights are working as this enables motorists to see you on the road.
In case you are involved in a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact a reliable personal injury attorney to help with your personal injury compensation case.
