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If you ride a motorcycle, knowing how to reduce the risk of a collision could mean the difference between life and death. Road vigilance, adhering to the law and receiving proper training are some of the ways in which riders can help themselves avoid accidents. When these do occur, serious injury, sometimes permanent, can be the result. From spinal cord and head injuries to broken bones, personal injury lawyers are all too aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycles hold the highest number of fatalities compared to other vehicle deaths.That is why it is important for riders to educate themselves with any tips that will help keep them safe on the road. These include:
Be aware of cars that may not see you – anticipating the need to brake quickly when car drivers make turns or change lanes suddenly. Often drivers fail to see motorcyclists, even when they are stopped to observe.
Keep your speed in line with your reaction rate – never ride faster than your reaction rate can handle. Riders may need to respond to changes of condition such as debris or gravel on the road. The slower the speed, the more reaction time is available.
Be sensible – statistics gathered by police over a 6-year period name the following contributing factors in fatal motorcycle accidents: alcohol, speeding and lack of vigilance. Common sense practices also include proper tire maintenance and riding wide of parked cars.
Be ready to move out of harm’s way – riders should be aware of what is happening behind them, since vehicles behind do not always brake safely. Flashing your break lights to signal to cars behind or waiting at lights ahead of the line can be sensible precautions.
Failing to stick to the laws and regulations will have a bearing on the outcome of your case, if a claim is made. Motorcycles and side-cars are subject to various stipulations regarding helmets, lamps, license plates, when being ridden on public roadways. Motorcyclists are categorized into levels which have their own regulations. For example, in Ontario, a level one rider may not take passengers and neither should inexperienced level 2 riders. Additionally, motorcycle riders need to take into account that not heeding to safety norms can lead to accidents.
A great way to become educated on these regulations is to take a safety training program. These are mandatory in some places and cover a number of useful protocols including pre-ride checks, riding behaviors, braking, traction control and riding at speed. And if there is an accident, it is important that the plaintiff consults with a personal injury lawyer in Sudbury. Lawyers understand the intricate details and navigating through the processes with ease.