Motorcyclists face certain risks just like any other motorists out on the road. Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests that motorcycle accidents may be particularly dangerous though. Their statistics show that 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in an individual getting hurt or dying. There are precautions that motorcyclists can take to keep themselves safe from harm though.
One of the best things that any motorcyclist can do is to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)-approved safety course. New bikers can learn a great deal about how to operate their motorbikes including crash avoidance techniques in these classes. Motorcyclists who take these classes may even qualify for reduced insurance rates upon completion of them.
Motorcyclists should make sure that the clothing that they put on isn’t just protective, but that it has reflective components and other features that enhance the chances of motorists seeing them. Bikers should always wear helmets, even when local laws don’t require them to do so. Any helmet that a motorcyclist purchases should be approved by the Department of Transportation. This will ensure that they receive the best benefits possible from it.
If you’re planning to head out on your motorcycle, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re well-rested and not intoxicated when you do. If you’re fatigued, then you’ll have slower-than-normal reaction times to different stimuli. If you’re drunk or drugged, then you may struggle with visual acuity, perceiving distances and other motor skills.
Motorcyclists should always be cautious when traveling through intersections or operating their bikes during inclement weather. Motorists often comment that they had difficulty in seeing motorcyclists in busy intersections. Braking is apt to take longer on slick roads.
While motorcyclists can’t control how the motorists around them operate their vehicles, the steps that they may take to protect themselves may just save their lives. An attorney in Waco can help you hold a negligent motorist accountable if they struck and injured you in a senseless crash here in Texas.
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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