Motorcycle accidents happen more often than you think. Motorcycles are not as popular as cars or buses as a means of transportation. For the most part, it is used as a leisure vehicle or for fun. However, they are not as safe as closed vehicles. Its design makes it more dangerous in an accident. In addition, its size means that it may not be immediately visible to pedestrians or other vehicles.
Therefore, it is no surprise that they are often involved in fatal accidents. In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that motorcyclists accounted for about 14% of all traffic fatalities, with 5,014 people killed. In addition, about 84,000 motorcyclists sustained injuries.
Statistically, you are more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident with a motorcycle than a closed vehicle. A contributing factor is that some motorcyclists ride without helmets. This puts them at risk of suffering major head injuries. Alcohol also contributes to these fatalities. The NHTSA reported that motorcycle riders had higher alcohol impairment levels than drivers of other motor vehicle types.
Tips to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
With the high possibility of injury and death in motorcycle crashes, you must take steps to ensure your safety and that of other commuters while using a motorcycle. In this section, we explore tips that would help you avoid motorcycle accidents.
Be Visible
We previously pointed out that motorcycles are smaller than other motor vehicle types. Unfortunately, this quality often puts them at risk of road accidents as other motorists may not see them early enough to avoid an accident. However, you can make it easier for motorists to spot you while using a motorcycle.
The first thing you must do is to avoid wearing dark colors. This applies to any time of the day but more especially at night. You can also add reflective materials to aid visibility. In addition to all this, always ride with your headlights on. Some motorcyclists ride with defective headlights. This puts them at the risk of getting hit or hitting others. Finally, ride on the side of the road that is most visible to motorists.
Do Not Ride in Bad Weather
Riding in bad weather is terrible for any motorists, but the risks are heightened for motorcyclists. Therefore, avoid riding in bad weather as much as possible. However, there might be occasions where you absolutely have to travel in bad weather. At such times, observe all necessary precautions.
Avoid Riding While Impaired
A good number of motorcycle accidents involve bikers who are impaired. Do not drink or take drugs before or while riding. Being drunk severely limits your ability to make decisions, and you need your wits about you while operating a bike. A split second is all that is required for you to get into an accident. Sleep is not a significant cause of motorcycle accidents, but you mustn’t drive while tired. That way, you do not run the risk of falling asleep.
Avoid Speeding
This advice is applicable to all motorists, so motorcyclists should adhere to it as well. When you speed, it gets more challenging to apply the brakes suddenly. Although you may not be responsible for an accident, you could reduce the chances of it being fatal by riding at an even speed.
Be Careful at Intersections
Accidents frequently happen at intersections. For example, motorcyclists could get rear-ended while waiting at intersections. Therefore, while at intersections, be extra careful. Look behind you occasionally to ensure no car is coming towards you. If a vehicle is coming towards you and looks like it could hit you, pull away.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
Not all motorcycle accidents are caused by recklessness. Sometimes, it could be a result of a faulty vehicle. Therefore, conduct regular maintenance on your motorcycle to ensure that they are in good shape. Regularly check your engine, brakes, headlights, and tires.
Get Medical Help From Professional Injury Practitioners
We hope that you take the necessary precautions to stay safe while riding a motorcycle. However, sometimes you could get into an accident despite your precautions. When that happens, you’ll need experienced healthcare professionals to aid in your healing process.
That’s where we come in. We take our jobs seriously and make sure we hire experienced healthcare professionals to care for our patients. We also recognize that the accident may not be your fault, and you may want to get compensation for that. Therefore, we have partnered with experienced personal injury lawyers in Georgia. So, while we treat your injuries, they help you get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us today.
