There are numerous reasons why riding a motorcycle puts you at high risk for being involved in a crash that can result in severe injuries or death. One reason why is that even the smallest obstacles, like leaves, wet pavement or cracks in the road, can cause accidents. Another reason is that motorcycles are more difficult to see than cars and drivers often do not look for them, increasing the risk of cars hitting motorcycles. When a motorcycle accident occurs, there is a high likelihood of severe injuries because motorcycles lack seat belts, airbags or other safety features present in cars. Fortunately, using the following eight tips can help reduce the risk of a crash. However, if an accident occurs, contact our Cincinnati motorcycle accident attorneys for a free legal consultation to see if you can pursue compensation for damages.
1. Slow Down
The faster you go, the less time you have to see and react to debris, other cars or other potential hazards. For instance, speeding could make it difficult to see an upcoming turn, resulting in you entering the corner going too fast. If you panic and hit the brakes too hard, you could go flying off the bike. If you try to ride through the corner, you may turn too hard and cause the bike to slide out from under you. That is why you should never go above a speed that allows you to use fixed objects like telephone poles to judge a road's direction. You also want to avoid traveling at a speed that gives you little time to react to road hazards. An extra second could be all the time you need to maneuver around a gap in the pavement or a slippery spot in the road. If it is raining or there is other inclement weather, you should slow down even more, as you are at greater risk of a crash.2. Look Behind You When You Stop At Intersections
Motorcycles are often rear-ended by cars at intersections, particularly when motorcyclists stop at crosswalks or to allow animals to pass in front of them. If you are about to come to a stop in this situation, 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. Keep your bike in gear so you can pull away if a car approaches and it looks like it will hit you.3. Never Ride Between Active Traffic And Parked Cars
This is dangerous for a few reasons:- A driver could open his or her car door and you could plow right into it
- A car could pull out in front of you and you could crash into it
- A pedestrian could step out and you may not have enough time to slow down to avoid a collision
4. Never Drink And Drive
Alcohol slows your reaction time and impairs judgment, which is why it is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes. Drinking and riding a motorcycle is even more dangerous than drinking and driving a regular car because simply keeping the bike upright requires balance and coordination.5. Perform Regular Maintenance
Ensuring your motorcycle is in excellent running condition can help reduce the risk of a crash. You can do this by performing regular maintenance on the following components:- Engine
- Brakes
- Tires
- Headlamps
- Turn signals
