Motorcycles have consistently been quite popular, but they have garnered more fans in recent years as people have sought ways to beat heavy traffic. Despite their spike in popularity, the risks presented by motorcycles cannot be ignored. According to the National Safety Council, 82,687 motorcycle-related injuries were recorded in 2022, and 6,218 people also died in those accidents. Your priority as a motorcyclist should always be avoiding accidents. Stay safe on the road by following these five tips.
1. Wear Appropriate Motorcycle Gear
Adequate preparation is the key to avoiding accidents as a motorcycle rider. Wearing appropriate safety gear should always be included in your preparations. The different items you wear can help you stay safe in various ways.
For instance, motorcycle helmets are not just useful when crashes occur. You can prevent debris from flying into your eyes by wearing a full-face helmet. The full-face covering shields your eyes from harm and keeps you from crashing.
Other items you should wear include bright or reflective clothes. This is because drivers can see you from far away if you are wearing a brightly colored jacket. At night, you should switch to wearing reflective articles of clothing that are quickly illuminated by headlights.
2. Don’t Engage in Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is using your motorcycle to traverse the line between multiple lanes of vehicles. Motorcycle riders may engage in lane splitting to squeeze in front of the pack. They don’t want to wait behind other vehicles, so they use that small bit of space to get ahead.
As you’ve probably guessed, lane splitting can be problematic for different reasons. For starters, you may be forced to move your motorcycle perilously close to other vehicles. If another vehicle moves within their lane, they could hit your motorcycle and cause you to fall.
You could also experience legal troubles related to your dangerous habit. Lane splitting is illegal in places such as New York State. Even an experienced motorcycle accident attorney cannot shield you from liability if an accident occurs while you are engaging in that practice.
3. Be Cautious Around Turning Vehicles
The areas near corners and intersections are among the most dangerous spots for motorcyclists. Motorists navigating those corners may turn abruptly, thinking no other vehicle is nearby. That can happen if you end up in a vehicle’s blind spot. Some drivers also turn too quickly, so they never get the opportunity to recognize a nearby rider.
Avoiding accidents near the aforementioned areas requires avoiding blind spots. A motorcycle accident attorney will tell you to create distance between you and another vehicle so they can see you before turning. Using your horn to alert another driver of your presence can also prevent an accident.
Reducing your speed is also recommended in that situation. Move at a lower speed until you can confirm what the driver beside you intends to do. Allow them to turn or move forward before resuming your regular riding speed.
4. Practice Defensive Driving
According to BikePics, a sports motorcycle is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour. Pushing your motorcycle to the limit is never a good idea unless you’re on a racetrack. In most situations, you should follow the principles of defensive driving and limit your motorcycle speed. If you’re speeding on your bike, a motorcycle accident attorney can’t help as much if you get a speeding ticket.
Other examples of defensive driving include watching the behavior of other motorists and keeping your eyes on the road at all times. A defensive driver also avoids all distractions. They don’t look at their phone unless it’s necessary.
Engaging in defensive driving doesn’t just help you avoid potential accidents. Even if you’re involved in one, your motorcycle accident attorney can use your behavior as evidence that you did not cause the crash. Defensive drivers have better odds of winning their accident lawsuits.
5. Teach Your Passengers About Motorcycle Safety
Lastly, it’s important to recognize that adding passengers to your motorcycle significantly changes the safety equation. Careless passenger behavior can suddenly throw off your balance. Once that happens, you may not be able to regain control of your bike. An accident is inevitable at that point.
Avoid ever putting yourself in that position by teaching your passengers about the best safety practices. Tell them how to position their body and where to place their hands and feet so they don’t interfere with your driving. You should also tell your rider to listen for any additional instructions you provide.
Follow the tips in this article to keep yourself safe from motorcycle accidents. If you are involved in an accident caused by another party, remember that seeking legal compensation is an option. Hire Aminov Law Group, P.C. to be your motorcycle accident attorney, and we’ll ensure you receive appropriate compensation.