It’s Motorcycle Season: Ride Safe

The sun is shining, the snow is long gone, and now you feel that pull to ride. The sensation of the open air on your face, the freedom you feel on the open road. You are a motorcycle owner and this is the time of the year to ride. It’s the time of the year you look forward to. It’s the time of the year when your life may be more at risk.

While a lot of safety on the road for a motorcyclist comes from the other drivers looking twice and paying attention to their own action, there are also things that you can do to help keep yourself safe on the road.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

One of the number one ways you can protect yourself is to always wear a helmet. Even if you live in a state that has no helmet laws that helmet could mean the difference between life and death if you are ever in an accident.

If you are a first time rider, take some time riding on less used roads and streets in your area before hitting the freeway. Practice makes perfect, as they say, so you want to make sure you can handle your ride before you get out into too much traffic and higher speeds.

There is a reason why you see guys and gals on motorcycles wearing a lot of leather. It’s not just their fashion statement, it’s part of their safety gear. Leather goes a longer way at protecting your flesh than jeans and t-shirts. If you take a fall with your bike your leather garb may get scuffed up some, but it’s less likely to rip to shreds and allow your arms and legs to get ripped to shreds too.

The Rules of the Road

Always follow the rules of the road even when on a motorcycle. Go the speed limit. Make sure they you are always seeing the big picture so that you can spot road hazards and keep an eye on other drivers. If it’s raining out, stay home or take the car instead. Inclement weather can greatly raise your chances of an accident.

What to do if You’re in an Accident

Move off the roadway if you can. If you’re injured badly you may want to stay where you are, or you may not even be conscious. Your first few days, or at least hours, after the accident may be a blur. You may spend some time in the hospital. If you were out of it hopefully some witnesses helped with the information. If you appear to be uninjured, swap info with any other involved motorists & alert the appropriate police authorities as you would in any motor accident.

You may find that you need to get a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side in order to protect yourself and your rights. Only time will tell who is found at fault and what kind of money will be involved.

You may want to make sure, ahead of time, that you have some good insurance coverage on your bike and that you have someone, a spouse or family member, that can make medical and financial decisions for you in case of an accident.

Stay safe out there and enjoy the ride!