Reduce the Risk of Motorcycle and Bike Crashes with These Tips

There are many reasons why riding a motorcycle puts you at high risk of being involved in a crash that can result in severe injuries or death—after all, they lack seat belts, airbags, and a whole host of other safety features.

Even the smallest obstacles, like wet pavement, cracks in the road, or even leaves, can cause accidents. Another reason is that motorcycles are more difficult to see than cars, and drivers, unfortunately, do not look for them, increasing the risk of cars hitting motorcycles.

Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can help reduce the risk of a motorcycle crash. Our accident-care team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel explains.

Tip #1. Slow Down

The faster you go on a motorcycle, the less time you have to see and react to debris, cars, and other road hazards.

For instance, speeding can make it difficult to see an upcoming turn, resulting in you entering the corner too fast on your bike. If you panic and hit the brakes too hard, you could go flying off the motorcycle. If you try to ride through a corner, you may turn too hard and cause your bike to slide out from under you.

Therefore, you should never ride above the speed limit, so you have time to react to road hazards. And remember, if it is raining or there is other inclement weather, you should slow down even more, as the wet pavement puts you at greater risk of a crash.

Tip #2. Look Behind You

Motorcycles are often rear-ended by cars at intersections, so if you are about to come to a stop at a crosswalk or stop light, pull over to the side of the lane and flash your brake light several times. When you stop, watch behind you to see if a car is coming, and keep your bike in gear so you can pull away if a car looks like it will hit you.

Tip #3. Don’t Ride Between Parked Cars and Active Traffic

Riding between parked cars and active traffic is dangerous for a few reasons, including:

• A driver could open his or her car door, and you could drive right into it.
• A car could pull out in front of you.
• A pedestrian could step out and you may not have time to slow down to avoid a collision.

Tip #4. Never Drink and Drive

You should never drink and drive whether you get behind the wheel of a car or the handlebars of a motorcycle. Alcohol slows your reaction time and impairs your judgment, and it is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents.

Drinking and riding a motorcycle is even more dangerous than drinking and driving in a vehicle because simply keeping the bike upright requires balance and coordination.

Tip #5. Keep Your Motorcycle Maintained

Ensuring your motorcycle is in proper running condition can help reduce the risk of an accident. You can do this by performing regular maintenance on the following components:

• Engine
• Brakes
• Tires
• Headlamps
• Turn signals
• Oil

Tip #6. Know How to Deal with Road Hazards

You will encounter road hazards at some point when you are cruising the roads, whether it is train tracks, wet pavement, potholes, rubber from blown-out tires, rocks, or even leaves.

You need to be ready to maneuver around or through these hazards without being in a serious accident. There are strategies that you can leave for braking and maneuvering that you need to be able to perform when the moment arrives.

Consider taking a motorcycle riding course to learn riding strategies to deal with some of the common hazards you may encounter.

Tip #7. Wear Protective Gear

This one is simple. When riding a motorcycle, always wear a helmet, gloves, and other protective gear. These items can protect you from catastrophic injuries if you are involved in an accident.

After Accident Care

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait. Some injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be severe and may take time to manifest. Our team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel is here to help you recover and heal after a motorcycle accident. Call us to schedule an appointment today at (813) 953-1002!