Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents Riding a motorcycle is one of the most thrilling experiences a person can have and also a cost-effective and efficient mode of transportation. However, motorcycles lack nearly all of the standard safety features found in passenger vehicles, such as seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones. As a result, motorcycle riders are significantly more likely to be injured or killed in an accident. According to a recent study, the death toll from motorcycle accidents is 28 times higher per mile traveled than that of passenger vehicles, demonstrating just how dangerous riding a motorcycle can be.
Even though there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of motorcycle accidents, our Waldorf motorcycle accident attorneys offer the following advice to prudent motorcycle riders to reduce that risk:
Wearing the Right Gear In the absence of vehicle-based safety measures, motorcycle riders should select the Right Gear. The helmet is the most important piece of motorcycle safety equipment. Motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of fatalities and head injuries in crashes by 42% and 69%, respectively. In point of fact, helmets are so effective at lowering the risk of head injuries that many states, including Maryland, have made their use a legal requirement. Goggles, gloves, and boots should also be worn by motorcycle riders to reduce the risk of sustaining injuries to the hands and feet.
Avoid Blind Spots While all drivers face serious danger from blind spots, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable. Motorcycles are smaller than passenger cars, so it's easier for them to disappear in the blind spot of another car, especially one with a big blind spot like a truck, and stay there for longer. Also, the majority of drivers who check their blind spots are looking for other passenger cars, not motorcycles, so a small motorcycle might go unnoticed with a quick glance.
Avoid "Lane Splitting" Riding a motorcycle in the space between vehicles in adjacent lanes is known as "lane splitting." Due to the motorcycle's small size, it is easier to maneuver through spaces that passenger vehicles cannot, making it especially prevalent at red lights and traffic jams. Motorcyclists who are prudent should avoid lane splitting because it can result in accidents like hitting doors that are opening.
When riding a motorcycle, it can be tempting to break the rules of the road by going a few miles per hour faster than the speed limit or rolling through a stop sign. In point of fact, all vehicles, including motorcycles, are subject to the traffic laws. It is in your best interest to follow those rules because they were put in place to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Contact the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles, which represents victims of motorcycle accidents in Waldorf. Motorcycle accidents can have a significant impact on a person's physical, emotional, and financial health—not to mention the health of their loved ones. You may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim if you believe you were injured in a motorcycle accident as a result of the carelessness of another driver. Use our online form or call us at 301-705-5006 to get in touch with the Law Offices of Thomas E. Pyles for additional information. For your convenience, we have offices in Laurel and Leonardtown.
