It may shock you to learn that motorcycle accidents in the United States are incredibly rampant. In 2018 alone, approximately 4,985 motorcyclists died in road collisions, making them 27 times more likely to be killed in motor vehicle crashes than their counterparts travelling in other types of vehicles. If you are wondering how to avoid motorcycle accidents, particularly fatal accidents, here are three simple and effective measures you can take to protect yourself.
1. Wear Safety Apparel
You may be under the impression that many motorcyclists wear black leather jackets, sunglasses and big, lace-up boots to look cool on their bikes. While this may be the motivation for some, it is not for the majority of motorcycle riders. On the contrary, wearing such apparel is an important safety precaution because it protects your entire body from head to toe. If you do get into an accident while wearing this kind of gear, you will be far less likely to sustain life-threatening injuries.
2. Wearing a Helmet
When it comes to how to avoid motorcycle accidents, wearing a helmet is perhaps the most obvious and most effective safety precaution a motorcyclist can take. In many states, including California, you are required by law to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet whenever you ride a motorcycle. While wearing a helmet is not a legal requirement in certain other states, it is still highly recommended because they can protect against potentially fatal head injuries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), wearing a helmet while riding your motorcycle can lower your chances of dying in a collision by up to 39%. Similarly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that helmets saved the lives of roughly 1,872 motorcyclists in the U.S. in 2017.
3. Avoid Alcohol Consumption Before Riding
Although this safety precaution may seem obvious, it is still worth noting. If you want to ensure that you and other drivers are as safe as possible on the roads, do not do anything that could impair your judgment prior to hitting the road. Perhaps the most obvious example to avoid is drinking before driving, as alcohol can have an extremely adverse impact on your driving capabilities. According to the NHTSA, 31% of motorcyclists killed in road collisions in 2018 were involved in alcohol-impaired crashes. By avoiding the consumption of alcohol altogether before your journey, you greatly minimize your risk of becoming involved in a fatal accident.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation. To seek justice on their behalf, you need the best legal counsel you can find – and it is here at the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell Injury Attorneys. Request a free consultation to see how we can help build you a winning case.
As a motorcyclist, you are inherently at a higher risk for suffering catastrophic injuries in an accident. As a result, it is important to take all the safety precautions you can to safeguard yourself and other drivers on the road. If you have lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, get in touch with us immediately. With a team of seasoned legal experts dedicated to fighting for your rights, you can rest assured that your motorcycle accident case is in the best hands with the Law Offices of Brent W. Caldwell Injury Attorneys.
