8 Essential Motorcycle Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents

Spring is a great time to get back out on your motorcycle and enjoy the open road. Yet, according to Consumer Reports, motorcyclists are thirty times more likely to get killed in a motorcycle crash then those riding in a passenger vehicle. For many riders, the risk, the thrill, and the open-air experience is all part of why they ride. Yet, as motorcycle season enters full swing, there are some steps you can take to keep yourself safe. Here are a few:

1.      Take a safety course. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety offers a list of locations where even seasoned riders can take Intermediate and Advanced rider courses. These courses offer advanced lessons about how to control, swerve, and brake. Advanced courses teach important skills, like avoiding road debris and deer. The time to learn how to swerve and avoid hazards of the road is not when you’re facing them for the first time. Even expert bikers can benefit from an occasional skills refresher.

2.      Know your limits. Newer riders may want to avoid curvy roads, long rides, or highways. If you want to push yourself, consider doing so in a safety course setting.

3.      Don’t ride in poor weather. Riding in stormy weather is much riskier than driving a car in a storm. You don’t have windshield wipers and you don’t have a car’s protective chassis. Avoid riding on slippery roads. Check the weather report before you head out.

4.      Leave space between yourself and other cars. Drivers who make mistakes have many protective features, like seat belts, the chassis of the car, and a front and rear bumper to absorb forces. If you get into an accident in a motorcycle, you’ll have fewer protections. Give yourself space to stop and, if someone is tailgating, let them pass. You can’t afford to be rear-ended on a motorcycle.

5.      Wear a helmet. Many of the more serious injuries individuals sustain in motorcycle accidents can be prevented or lessened by wearing a helmet. While a helmet won’t protect you in all cases, in some instances, a helmet can protect you from sustaining traumatic brain injury and protect you from certain types of spinal cord injury. It’s just good sense.

6.      Don’t drink and drive and don’t get distracted. The same errors that passenger vehicle drivers make can be deadly on a motorcycle. Leave your cell phone at home. If you drink, don’t ride.

7.      Follow traffic laws. Every state has unique laws pertaining to riders. Know the law and follow the rules. Obey the local speed limit and adjust your speed to road conditions.

8.      Make sure your bike is properly maintained. If you haven’t ridden your bike all winter, now might be a good time to get a tune up. Check your brakes, tires, signals, and coolant. Check your horn and mirrors. A well-maintained bike is a safe bike.

There are many steps riders can take to keep themselves safe. Yet, when car drivers make errors, the people who often suffer the most are motorcycle riders. The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino works closely with motorcycle accident victims and their families to help them get the justice they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a personal injury accident, contact us today to learn more about whether you may be entitled to receive money to pay for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you have been hurt or injured in a motorcycle accident, seek advice from personal injury attorney Martin Montilino in Minneapolis to find out what your rights are. You can visit his website at www.martinmontilino.com.