Motorcycle Safety Tips to Remember

Motorcycles are fun to drive and fuel efficient, but anyone who drives one understands the risks they’re taking each time they go for a ride. In fact, about 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in an injury or death for the motorcyclist. Thus, we’ve compiled some safety tips to remember when you’re out on the road riding your motorcycle.

Bikers Have Little Protection While Riding

Why do motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries? The simple reason for this is that there is very little protection for motorcyclists. Outside of special clothing and a helmet, there isn’t a barrier between the motorcyclist and the other vehicle involved in the collision. Being thrown from the motorcycle is almost a guarantee for most accidents, and this possibility significantly increases the risk for injury.

Every motorcyclist should follow specific safety tips at all times, including:

  • Wear the Right Gear – A helmet is by far the most important piece of safety equipment for motorcyclists. Other gear that should be worn when riding includes a jacket, face shield, boots, gloves, and goggles.
  • Use Your Best Judgment – Before purchasing a motorcycle you need to know your limits. Don’t buy a bike that has too much power and is difficult to control. Finally, always ride at a pace and in traffic that makes you feel comfortable.
  • Attend a Training Course – Regardless of your riding experience, it never hurts to hone your skills. There are motorcycle safety courses available for riders of all levels.
  • Keep Your Distance – Too many motorcyclists don’t allow enough space between them and the vehicle in front of them. Tailgating will significantly increase your risk of being in an accident.
  • Be Defensive – As the smallest vehicle on the road, it is a big responsibility to look out for other drivers. Do your best to avoid a vehicle’s blind spot and only change lanes when necessary. It’s also important to use turn signals well in advance because it communicates your intentions to other motorists on the road.
  • Avoid Bad Weather – Motorcyclists should do their best not to drive during rainy weather. You should always check the day’s forecast before riding a motorcycle.
  • Limit Distractions – Motorcyclists should avoid using their phone or eating while riding, as it is crucial to keep both hands on the handlebars.

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence. However, keeping these safety tips in mind should help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.

Motorists Must Also Prioritize Safety—Here’s How

When a motor vehicle accident happens, a motorist is usually at fault. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorists cause approximately 94% of accidents.

Like motorcyclists, motorists have a duty to act responsibly and avoid causing accidents. Therefore, with particular consideration to avoiding motorcyclists, motor vehicle drivers must:

  • Remain focused on the road: Distracting behaviors like texting, speaking on the phone, recording video, taking photographs, eating, and drinking are all risk factors for accidents. Motorcyclists are generally harder to see than vehicles, and distractions can make them even more difficult to spot.
  • Refrain from impaired driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol could increase the risk of causing a motorcycle accident. An impaired motorist may be liable for any motorcycle accident that they cause.
  • Check blind spots before changing lanes or turning: Motorcyclists can hide in a vehicle’s blind spots. Therefore, motorists must check all mirrors and turn their heads to clear their blind spots. If they do not, the motorist may merge into a lane occupied by a motorcyclist or turn in front of an oncoming biker.
  • Maintain a safe distance from motorcyclists: A motorcycle takes up less than the width of an entire lane. Even so, motorists must respect lane divisions. In addition, motorists must recognize that motorcyclists may split lanes or engage in other unconventional driving maneuvers.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, a liable motorist might owe you compensation.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

You may want to hire a personal injury attorney after a motorcycle accident. A lawyer can help if:

  • You’ve suffered injuries
  • A loved one has suffered injuries and cannot hire a lawyer for themselves
  • You’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash

Your attorney can lead the legal process from start to finish. They will advise you on whether to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit and can:

  • Investigate the motorcycle accident: Your attorney will pursue all relevant evidence, from witness accounts to police reports and medical records. They will identify who caused your accident, who is liable, and what insurance coverage they possess (if any).
  • Identify all your damages: Each motorcycle accident victim has unique losses. Our team will work with you, your loved ones, doctors, and anyone else who can shed light on your damages. We’ll pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and future losses.
  • Lead settlement talks: We will negotiate with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys to settle your case. All parties may have reasons to settle, but we’ll only accept a settlement that provides adequate compensation.
  • Handle a trial if your case requires it: Trials are uncommon in civil cases but are sometimes necessary. Should your case go to trial, we’ll be the ones arguing your case.

Should you suffer injuries in an accident and sustain injuries, contact the Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers at Distasio Law Firm today. We offer free consultations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

OUR OFFICES

Our main office is here in Downtown Tampa, Florida in the Channelside neighborhood. Office in Wesley Chapel and Largo are available by appointment only.

Distasio Law Firm
N/a