If you are one of the many people throughout Texas who rides motorcycles, you likely enjoy the sense of freedom and the feeling of the sun and the breeze as you ride along. A fun and economical travel method, motorcycles offer their riders many benefits. However, they offer no protection for the motorcyclist in crashes.
Motorcyclists can suffer serious and even fatal injuries in crashes, but there are things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming involved in an accident.
Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that around 80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in serious or fatal injuries to motorcycle riders. This high percentage comes from the fact that motorcycles do not have doors, side panels, airbags, or roofs to protect riders and their passengers, and they do not have seatbelts or airbags.
Although you should always wear protective clothing and a helmet with a full facemask, you can still suffer any of the following and more:
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Severe cuts and abrasions
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Injuries requiring amputation
Protect Yourself
To stay as safe as possible on the road and avoid motorcycle accidents, you should consider the following:
- Remain alert and vigilant – Motorcyclists should always be on the lookout for potential hazards on the road. This can include distracted or reckless car drivers who may drift into your lane without warning or swerve in and out of traffic.
Additionally, motorcycles are susceptible to various road conditions that would not affect car drivers as much, and you should watch for the following while riding your motorcycle:
- Potholes
- Sand and gravel
- Railroad tracks
- Grooves in the road surface
- Large pieces of debris, such as chucks of tires and discarded trash
- Remain visible – Motorcycles are smaller than passenger cars, and many accidents happen because a car driver did not see a motorcycle until it was too late. You should always use your motorcycle’s headlights day or night and ride in a section of your lane that will help other drivers see you. You should also wear bright and reflective clothing.
- Watch out for intersections – Around half of all motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Most of these accidents happen because a car driver turned left in front of the motorcycle. Along with remaining as visible as possible, you also want to approach any intersection carefully and remain on high alert for drivers trying to turn in front of you.
- Avoid inclement weather – Rain, snow, and ice cause many vehicle accidents of all types, but motorcycles are especially suspectable to adverse road conditions, and they can easily lose control on slippery surfaces. Furthermore, motorcycle helmets usually do not have wipers like a car’s windshield, and you may not be able to see the road or the traffic in front of you if you try to ride when it’s raining or snowing.
- Do not drink and ride –Alcohol and drug impairment cause thousands of vehicle accidents yearly, and around 40 percent of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents involve drug or alcohol intoxication. You should never ride your motorcycle if you are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
The importance of proper training
Along with following these suggestions, you can also increase your chances of staying safe on your motorcycle. Also, ensure you are properly trained, particularly if you are new to riding motorcycles. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a wide range of online and in-person motorcycle safety classes you can attend, and you may receive discounts on your insurance premiums upon completing the courses.
Contact Us for Help
Despite your best efforts at staying safe while you ride your motorcycle, you might still be injured in an accident caused by another driver. If you weren’t at fault for the crash, you shouldn’t have to pay for your injuries and other accident-related losses. Contact the Dallas motorcycle accident attorneys at The Benton Law Firm for assistance today.
We’ve been voted into the Best Law Firms in the country for 2021. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients in Texas who suffered a serious injury or loss due to a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault. Contact us at (214) 777-7777 to request a free consultation.