5 Motorcycle Safety Tips From An Accident Attorney

There’s nothing like the feeling of hitting the open road on a beautiful day. Exercising caution and staying safe while riding your motorcycle can help prevent accidents and save lives. These five simple safety tips from our motorcycle accident attorney at Moore Law Firm can help keep you safe and sound when you’re out cruising the streets.

1. 1. Don’t buy more bike than you can handle.When shopping for a motorcycle, choose one that fits you, both figuratively and literally. You should easily be able to rest both feet flat on the ground when seated, and handlebars and controls should be within close reach. If a bike feels too heavy, it probably is.
2. 2. Take a riding course.A motorcycle safety riding class will teach you techniques such as how to perform evasive emergency maneuvers. Many insurance companies offer a discount if you take an approved safety course, and in some states you may be allowed to skip the test part of the licensing process.
3. 3. Wear the proper gear.Even if it’s not required by law in your state, making sure you and your passengers wear a helmet when riding can save your life. Serious head injury is one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries and fatalities in motorcycle accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation Association (NHTSA), helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries. High-visibility protective gloves, jackets and boots provide protection from serious injury should you fall or become involved in an accident. Wearing this type of gear will also help you stand out to other drivers.
4. 4. Stay alert and practice caution.Hazards such as oil, sand or wet leaves can cause a bike to slide unexpectedly. Ruts, potholes and other defects in the road can pose a serious danger when on a bike, so keep an eye out for these things at all times. Don’t tailgate — keeping a safe following distance is vital to make sure there’s plenty of stopping distance and time for you to react to other vehicles and obstacles in the road. Avoid the dangerous practice of lane splitting — most drivers do not expect a motorcycle to drive between them at any time, let alone in slowed or stopped traffic.
5. 5. Don’t drink and ride.Motorcyclists more likely to die in an alcohol-impaired crash than those driving other types of vehicles. In 2016, 26 percent of motorcyclists who sustained fatal injuries had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or above. In single-vehicle crashes, the rate of fatal injury was 37 percent, according to the NHTSA. For your safety and the safety of others on the road, avoid alcohol when riding your motorcycle.

If You’ve Been Injured, Contact A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Although these motorcycle safety tips can help you avoid injury, accidents do happen. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle crash, our accident lawyer can help. Call Moore Law Firm at 251-445-7602 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.