Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Share Top Safety Tips to Help Keep You Safe
Motorcycles tend to be popular during the summer months due to the warm weather. While motorbikes can be a fun and easy way to travel, accidents can easily happen if safety practices aren’t followed.
At Lowry & Associates, our team of motorcycle accident lawyers knows that operating your motorcycle properly is imperative to not only your safety but that of other motorists. For this reason, we have provided a list of tips to help you ride your bike safely on Maine roads. We hope these suggestions will help prevent possible motorbike accidents and keep all drivers safe.
Seven Tips for Riding Your Motorcycle Safely
Anytime you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, safety should always be your first priority. While there are many things to consider to ensure safety on the roadways, our team of attorneys has listed our top seven tips to help you ride safely this summer.
1. Wear Protective Gear
Drivers of regular motor vehicles are surrounded by layers of metal and plastic that separates them from the impact of the road and other vehicles in a crash. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, are much more exposed. To help minimize injuries in the event of an accident, it’s important to wear protective equipment. While appropriate riding gear won’t guarantee complete protection, it can drastically reduce the severity of your injuries if you’re involved in a collision.
2. Inspect Your Bike Before Each Ride
To help prevent an accident, it’s important to inspect your motorcycle for any possible safety risks before riding. Simply checking your brakes and tires can potentially save you from a collision.
3. Be Noticeable
Due to the small size of motorcycles, it’s often challenging for other motorists to notice them on the roads. Motorcyclists who wear dark apparel are even less likely to be seen by drivers. Make sure to wear bright clothing, such as neon, to help other drivers notice you on the roads. Wearing reflective tape can also make motorcyclists more visible.
4. Obey All Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are established to keep our roadways safe. When operating your motorcycle, it’s absolutely vital to follow all traffic laws, such as using turn signals and yielding the right-of-way.
5. Drive Defensively
Unfortunately, not all drivers adhere to the rules of the road. For this reason, it’s best to always be aware of your surroundings and never assume that another driver will make the correct decision. Being a defensive motorcyclist can help prevent an accident.
6. Drive Sober
There were 5,286 motorcyclists killed in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2016, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Driving a motorcycle while intoxicated is extremely dangerous and puts you and everyone around you at risk.
It’s never safe to drive under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol can impact a motorcyclist’s ability to safely operate their bike by affecting their coordination and concentration. Without proper coordination and focus, motorcyclists are likely to make unsafe decisions on the roads.
7. Check Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can also affect the safety of motorcyclists. For example, slippery roads after heavy rainfall can cause you to lose control of your bike. Before deciding to ride, check the weather. If it’s raining, it may be best to wait to ride until conditions improve.
These seven safety tips may seem simple but can make all the difference. Make safety a priority this summer when you drive your motorcycle.
While following these suggestions can help reduce the number of motorcycle collisions on the roadways, our team understands that accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one sustained injuries after a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
Lowry & Associates Can Help
At Lowry & Associates, we know that summer is typically a season people enjoy spending time outdoors. The warm weather makes it an ideal time to ride your motorcycle, however, it’s vital to ensure you don’t ignore safety.
If you or someone you know was injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligent actions of another motorist, compensation may be available. Compensation can help cover various expenses related to your accident, such as property damage, medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The amount you may be awarded for damages will depend on the severity of your injuries and other factors.
To learn more about your legal options, call our law firm at (207) 775-3819, or fill out our free case review form. We have helped numerous motorcycle accident victims fight for their legal rights and obtain the compensation they are rightfully owed.