Are You A Motorcycle Owner? Here Are Safety Tips You Need To Know

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,957 motorcycle deaths in the United States in 2012, which is an increase from 2011, when there were 4,630 deaths. As for motorcycle injuries, there were 93,000 in 2012 and 81,000 in 2011. Motorcycles are no doubt a blast to ride and are also fuel-efficient, but there are also more risks involved than operating a car. If you are motorcycle owner, there are some safety tips you need to know in order to stay safe while riding the open road.  

Wear Proper Riding Equipment

Proper riding equipment consists of a helmet first and foremost. Even if it is not a law to wear a helmet in your state, you should do so anyways. Wearing a helmet can be the difference between life and death in the event of an accident. You will most likely never need a helmet, but you will be glad you did when you do. Also, it doesn't matter if it is 92 degrees out, don't wear shorts or flip flops on a motorcycle, as they will not provide you protection against road rash if the motorcycle slides for some reason. Also, gloves and a leather jacket will give you added protection in case of a crash.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

This may be something that is pretty obvious, but it is definitely worth mentioning anyways. When riding a motorcycle, you need to make quick decisions at times, as well as accurate reaction times. When riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, this will diminish your reaction times. You also don't want to put yourself or anyone else on the road at risk for injury or death because of the alcohol or drugs in your system.

Watch for Road Hazards

Automobiles have more pavement contact than motorcycles do. If you are driving a car, things like pebbles, sand or wet leaves in the road probably aren't going to make you slide, but they can if you are riding a motorcycle. While you may not pay much attention to potholes and bumps in a vehicle, these can be hazardous on a motorcycle. If you find that you simply cannot avoid any of these things, you want to slow down as much as you can when encountering them.

Many motorcycle riders can go a lifetime without sustaining any injuries. The key to accomplishing this is to be prepared, be alert and don't take unnecessary risks. If you do suffer an accident and are looking for compensation, contact Todd East Attorney at Law or a similar legal professional.