With warmer weather upon us, prime motorcycle riding season is here. With it, riders will experience everything that motorcycling has to offer, including freedom on the road, a connection with surrounding nature, and the relaxation that comes with feeling the wind as you ride.
Although riding a motorcycle has a lot to offer, it can also be extremely dangerous, which is why in this post we want to look at some steps you can take to more fully protect yourself from a devastating motorcycle accident this season.
Steps to take to protect yourself from a serious motorcycle accident
It only takes a split second for a motorist to turn in front of you, slam on the brakes, or change lanes into you, any one of which can cause a tragic motorcycle accident that leaves you with extensive and painful injuries.
Although you can never fully protect yourself from the risk of a crash, there are steps you can take to reduce the possibility that you’ll be involved in one of these wrecks. So, as you prepare to head out for the season, be sure to do the following:
- Ensure you have proper gear: Nobody expects to be involved in a motorcycle accident. But you should prepare for one just in case. This means wearing the right protective equipment, including a helmet. By wearing the right gear, you significantly reduce the risk of being seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident. So, take as many precautions as you can here, as your safety and well-being are on the line.
- Keep a safe distance: A lot of motorcyclists are injured when they collide with the rear of the vehicle in front of them. To reduce that risk, make sure you’re keeping a proper distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. You should keep at least three seconds between yourself and the lead vehicle to give yourself enough time and distance to slow down and stop when needed.
- Ride where you can be seen: Many drivers lack motorcycle awareness. This can be dangerous for you. So, make yourself as observable as possible. For example, try positioning yourself in your lane so that the drivers around you can easily spot you in their mirrors.
- Be cautious in intersections: Some of the deadliest motorcycle accidents occur when drivers make a left turn into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. To reduce your risk of being struck in an intersection, slow down prior to entering it and make sure you’re cognizant of the vehicles around you so that you can identify any wayward drivers that pose a risk to your safety.
- Expect the worst: To protect yourself as fully as possible, you have to be as defensive as possible. One of the best ways to do this is to expect the worst from other drivers. We know that sounds pessimistic, but by expecting the worst, you can successfully anticipate erratic driving behaviors that otherwise put you at risk.
Stay safe and take action after your motorcycle accident
We hope you’re able to stay safe out there this year. But if you or a loved one end up injured in a motorcycle accident, then you may want to consider legal action.
After all, a personal injury case could be the only way for you to recover the compensation you need to offset your damages, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages.
If that’s something that you’re interested in exploring more, then be sure to read up on the process and what it takes to succeed on one of these claims.