Serious motorcycle accidents can leave victims with painful injuries, permanent impairments, steep medical bills, and several other setbacks. If you ride a bike, learning how to avoid injury in a motorcycle accident can help you keep your health intact and may even save your life. 

At Zanes Law, we are always looking for ways to improve the lives of our fellow Arizonans and Americans. That’s why we’ve decided to educate you on what you can do to avoid injury in a bike crash. Let’s learn more about the measures you can take to stay safe on the open road.

Wear the Proper Safety Gear

According to the CDC, motorcycle riders who don’t wear helmets are twice as likely to sustain traumatic brain injuries in an accident. If you want to give your head the best protection possible, invest in a full-face helmet. In addition to protecting your skull and brain, full-face helmets also provide coverage for your face.

While a helmet is one of the most important pieces of protective gear you can wear, there are several other clothing items you should never ride without. Make sure you’ve got the following pieces of gear next time you hit the road:

  • A sturdy jacket 
  • A pair of high-quality long pants
  • Footwear that covers the ankle and has non-slip soles
  • Full-fingered gloves, preferably abrasion resistant
  • Eye protection if your helmet doesn’t have a face shield

Maintain Your Bike

Keeping your bike in excellent condition can help you avoid motorcycle accidents and injuries caused by broken parts. While it’s important to maintain your entire bike, you should give special attention to the tires. If your tire pressure is too low, you could have a sudden blowout, causing severe injuries.

That’s why it’s of utmost importance that you check tire pressure regularly and inspect your tires for signs of cracking and damage. Apart from keeping your ties in good working order, you’ll also want to perform regular maintenance on the following motorcycle parts:

  • Brakes
  • Engine
  • Headlamps
  • Turn signals
  • Controls including pedals, throttle, cables, handlebar

Follow the Rules of the Road

Following traffic laws and obeying safety signage can go a long way in helping you to avoid a motorcycle accident. 

In addition to abiding by basic rules like stopping at red lights and maintaining a legal speed, it’s also important to never ride your motorcycle when intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. 

According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 41% of fatal single-vehicle motorcycle accidents in 2020 involved alcohol-impaired riders. We encourage you to avoid driving under the influence to protect yourself and others from a tragic crash.

Avoid Riding Between Traffic and Parked Vehicles

Sometimes, motorcyclists are tempted to ride between traffic and parked cars at a red light to get ahead of other motorists. This practice is known as “lane filtering.” 

While lane filtering may save you a little time, it’s an incredibly dangerous practice. You never know when someone in a parked car will open their door and cause you to crash into it.

A parked car could also pull out, causing you to rear-end them. Driving between traffic and parked cars can also put pedestrians at risk. If a pedestrian steps out while you’re lane filtering, you could collide with them. Instead of trying to take a shortcut, it’s best to play it safe and stay in your lane.

Stay Alert at All Times

Staying aware of your surroundings and potential hazards while riding your motorcycle is another way to avoid accidents and injuries. Doing so will help you identify possible obstacles and safety hazards as soon as they appear. 

Make sure you are always on the lookout for obstacles and debris in the road, pedestrians crossing the street or walking on the sidewalk, and vehicles close behind or in front of you. To stay alert, we strongly recommend avoiding driving while tired. 

If you ride while fatigued, you won’t notice obstacles as quickly as you would if you were wide awake, and your response time will be delayed. 

Don’t Ride in Bad Weather

Rain and inclement weather can cause motorcycle riders to lose control of their vehicles, resulting in injuries and accidents. An easy way to avoid collisions caused by weather is to wait for the storm to pass before you hit the road. 

However, that’s not always feasible, especially for those who use their bikes to get to work and other important appointments. 

If your bike is your main form of transportation, you’ll probably have to ride in the rain at least a few times a year. Here are a few safety measures you can take to avoid motorcycle accidents and injuries when riding in the rain:

  • Invest in waterproof gear and an anti-fog visor
  • Avoid standing water
  • Seek out the driest part of your lane
  • Keep your bike as upright as you can to prevent it from sliding out from under you
  • Don’t stop suddenly

A Lawyer Can Help You Recover from a Motorcycle Accident Injury

While taking safety precautions can do a lot to help you avoid bike crashes, there’s always a chance that a reckless or intoxicated driver will rear-end or collide with you. If that happens, you could suffer from life-threatening injuries that require expensive medical treatment to heal.

Fortunately, a motorcycle accident attorney can help you get the compensation you need to recover from your injury and replace the losses you’ve incurred due to the collision. 

Here’s what a lawyer can do to help you get your life back on track after a bike crash:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Collect evidence to support your claim
  • Construct a facts-based insurance claim
  • Negotiate a settlement with insurers
  • Take your case to court if insurers don’t offer a fair settlement
  • Communicate clearly and keep you in the loop regarding your case
  • Meet important deadlines

Get Help from an Experienced Attorney Today

Sometimes, careless drivers make it impossible to avoid injury in a motorcycle accident. If you’ve been hurt in a collision caused by another motorist, a motorcycle accident lawyer at Zanes Law can help you recover losses. We’ll work hard to secure the compensation you need to pay your medical bills and move forward with your life.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out if you can file a claim or personal injury lawsuit.