Because of their smaller size, motorcycles are less visible to other drivers. When motorcyclists get in accidents, they are more likely to be seriously injured or killed because of the lack of protection compared with an enclosed passenger car. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the federal government estimates that in a recent year, the number of motorcycle deaths per mile traveled was nearly 29 times that of deaths in cars.
While motorcycles can be more dangerous than enclosed means of transportation, there are reasonable things motorcyclists can do to prevent accidents. Here are five tips to prevent accidents when riding your motorcycle. If you have further questions about your case, don’t hesitate to contact our legal team today.
Slow Down
In addition to their small size, motorcycles often have superior maneuvering and acceleration capabilities compared with passenger cars. When driving these lighter machines, it can be tempting to drive at speeds that are by any reasonable measure unsafe. Admit it: it’s fun to feel the wind whipping past you, whizzing around cars, and hugging the curves of the road. But the faster you go, the greater your risk of getting into a serious, even deadly, accident.
When you ride your motorcycle at high speeds, it’s harder to stop or avoid hazards on the road, and the smallest debris can be detrimental to a motorcyclist. Furthermore, the faster you go, the less time a car has to react when they finally do see you. It may be next to impossible for a car to avoid a collision with a motorcycle that is excessively speeding.
Be Visible to Other Drivers
Because it can be challenging for other drivers to see a motorcycle, it is imperative that you make an extra effort to be visible. Begin with your motorcycle. Make sure your headlights and taillights are working. If necessary, use your horn to make your presence known to cars that might not see you. Use your turn signal early as well as hand motions when making turns on busy roadways.
Beyond your motorcycle, what you wear can also make you more visible to other drivers. Wear bright clothing. It can also help to wear a bright or light-colored helmet with reflective elements so that you stand out.
Be Alert at Intersections
Intersections are a prime location for accidents, especially for motorcyclists. Motorcycle accidents can occur whether you’re turning left, turning right, driving straight, or stopped at an intersection.
For example, if you are turning left at an intersection, an oncoming car may not see you before it’s too late to slow down and avoid a collision. Furthermore, if you are stopped at an intersection, a car coming up behind you may not see you and rear-end you.
Therefore, always be on the alert at intersections for other drivers who might not be looking for motorcycles in their path.
Pass with Caution
Passing other vehicles on a motorcycle can be risky, especially if the other drivers do not see you coming. Motorcycles can easily disappear in a car’s blind spot. Therefore, take precautions whenever passing other vehicles. Signal your intention to pass early. Do not make sudden movements or cut over in front of cars too quickly. Put plenty of space between your motorcycle and the car you’re passing.
Never, under any circumstances, pass a car in an illegal manner. This may include lane sharing, lane splitting, passing on a shoulder, or passing on a curb or sidewalk. Contact us today.
Avoid Riding in Bad Weather
Riding a motorcycle in bad weather increases the likelihood of an accident. Because a motorcycle only has two wheels, there is less surface area connecting the motorcycle to the roadway when compared with passenger cars with their four wheels. Because of the smaller surface area, motorcycle wheels can more easily lose traction with the roadway in inclement weather.
Whenever possible, avoid driving a motorcycle in bad weather, such as rain, high winds, snow, sleet, or other wintry weather. If you find yourself caught in a storm, especially a severe storm, you may need to pull over and wait it out. If that is not an option, drive slowly, use caution when making turns, and turn your headlights on.
Contact the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers
Even if you do everything within your power to prevent an accident when riding your motorcycle, other drivers’ actions can still result in an accident. If you get injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, contact the Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorneys of the Law Office of William J. Luse, Inc. Accident & Injury Lawyers at (843) 839-4795 for a confidential consultation. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you deserve from the negligent driver.
