At The Sevey Law Firm, we see the horrific results of motorcycle accidents nearly every single day. Since California ranks number one in the United States with over 800,000 registered motorcycles, it’s no wonder that motorcycle accidents are prevalent. Because we are personal injury attorneys, we see the worst of the worst after the damage has been done.
Here are a few of the most effective safety precautions when riding your motorcycle, collected from those with years of motorcycle riding experience. By utilizing these tips, it'll help keep the roads safer for everyone.
- Ride with experienced riders that you trust. If the riders you’re with are showing off or can’t properly handle their bike, they are unsafe to ride around. You’re better off riding with those who have more experience than you than less. You can learn a lot from a more experienced rider.
- Make sure you are seen. Wear bright clothing or a neon nylon mesh vest. When you are wearing dark colors, you make yourself harder to see in traffic. This can cause accidents, especially in the hours of dawn and dusk, when it’s already challenging to see everything in and on the road properly.
- Your grip is your lifeline in an emergency, so make sure that you’re wearing riding gloves that are made from thin, flexible garment leather that fits you well. Think about how you’d react in an emergency situation. Your hands need to help keep you safe, and wearing the proper gloves will help them do just that.
- Riding while tired is simply stupid. If you’re on a long road trip, stop every 100 miles or so, get off your bike, stretch your legs and refresh your brain. Take a short, brisk walk to get your blood flowing again and regain your alertness. Once you know what your upper limit is for riding time, never push it. Stick to the rules you’ve set for yourself.
- Keep plenty of space between you and the riders you’re with. At least 20 feet gives you plenty of time to stop, swerve, or utilize safety maneuvers to avoid accidents. And of course, make sure you have that same buffer of space between your motorcycle and the vehicles ahead of you. You never know when someone will have to stop suddenly.
- If you're riding in a large group, let oncoming traffic know that there are others in your group. Remember always to make others aware of your presence.
- Always drive defensively. Be extra alert when driving at high speeds, and never drive more than two motorcycles to a lane. Especially with large trucks, keep your eyes on their mirrors. If you can’t see the mirrors, these big rigs can’t see you.
- Aim to keep your calm at all times. If someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go. Be the better driver, and don't let road rage take over. You have nothing to prove, and everything to lose if you let little things get to you.
Whether you are solo riding or riding out with a group, make safety your number one priority to have a safe ride, both for you and for others who are on the roadways with you.
If you have suffered an unfortunate accident while on your motorcycle, let the attorneys at The Sevey Law Firm offer you our experience and knowledge of personal injury law. We see personal injury cases daily and are well-known in the community for aggressively fighting for motorcyclists' rights and safety. Call us at (916) 788-7100, and let us help you get back on your bike, and riding again.
