As the summer approaches, the warmer weather will entice many motorcyclists out onto the road. As motorcycle owners and riders prepare to take their bikes out on the road, they should take all the necessary steps to ensure that their ride is as smooth and safe as possible. Experts encourage motorcyclists to attend additional rider safety courses, inspect their bikes regularly, and wear all the necessary safety gear to minimize their risk of a collision or serious injury in the event of an accident. In addition, it’s also hugely important to prepare for significant motorcycle riding time by improving your knowledge of possible road dangers and how to avoid them. Here are some common causes of motorcycle accidents and what you can do to avoid them happening to you.
#1. Cars Failing to Yield:
When you’re riding a motorcycle, you need to be hyper alert to the activity of other drivers on the road, particularly those in cars and other larger vehicles. Many times, a car driver will not follow the rules of the road and fail to yield when the motorcycle has the right-of-way or will simply fail to notice an oncoming motorcyclist when turning left, causing a collision. In fact, a huge percentage of fatal crashes on the road involve a car turning left into a motorcycle. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident Miami where a car driver was at fault, a good lawyer can help you claim back the compensation that you deserve.
#2. Unstable Road Surfaces:
Patches of sand, mud, gravel or dirt in the road can lead to an unstable road surface and present an additional risk for motorcycle riders. When the front tire of a motorcycle hits an unstable patch in the road that’s filled with gravel or sand it can quickly cause the bike to lose balance and crash. It’s important to ensure that you are avoiding this situation by driving at an appropriate speed, ensuring that you have time to notice, slow down, and stop or move around any potential road hazards.
#3. Careless Group Riding:
Riding your motorcycle with a group of friends is undoubtedly lots of fun, but there are many ways in which it could go wrong. For example, if a member of the group attempts to drive faster or slower than the rest, change their lane position or pursue an alternative route without clearly communicating this to the rest of the group, it can lead to serious consequences. If you’re riding in a group this summer, have clearly laid out rules for communication and ensure that everybody is prioritizing safety.
#4. Inadequate Protective Gear:
Whilst not wearing a helmet or leathers may not cause a crash in and of itself, failing to do so could leave you with serious injuries in the event of a collision that may have been prevented had you been wearing the right safety equipment. Never go out on your bike without your helmet, leathers, gloves and a strong pair of motorcycle boots.
What advice would you give to motorcyclists when it comes to staying safe on the road?