What Every Rider Should Know About Motorcycle Safety

Thousands of motorcycle riders lose their lives each year in accidents, and many of these accidents are preventable. Other drivers on the road need to be alert to these vehicles and take proactive measures to avoid a collision. More people are choosing to ride motorcycles today because of high gas prices, so a person must always be vigilant.

Many accidents are the fault of the driver rather than the motorcycle rider. How can vehicles share the road with bikers? What should you know if you are injured on your motorcycle by a driver? How could they have avoided this accident? 

Blind Spots

Drivers must always check their blind spots when merging and changing lanes. Motorcycles are often hard to see, as they are smaller than passenger cars. Motorcycles blend in with other shapes in the side and rear-view mirrors, so drivers should always take a second look when bikers are on the road. This one step could save countless lives each year. 

Take Care When Passing

Cars are legally allowed to pass motorcycles on the road like other vehicles. However, when doing so, drivers need to know that passing the bike creates a gust of wind. This wind could make the bike unstable and lead to an accident. Alert the biker to the lane change by using the turn signal. Do not return to the lane the biker is in until there are several car lengths between the vehicle and the bike. 

Weather Considerations

Bad weather can happen at any time. It may be beautiful outside only to have the skies open up and pour down rain. For those driving a car, this downpour is probably nothing more than an inconvenience. For bikers, however, any bad weather can be dangerous. Rain makes the roads slick for both cars and motorcycles, so accidents are more likely to happen. When it is windy outside, a biker might find it hard to keep the motorcycle on the road. In addition, motorcycles are hard to see when conditions deteriorate, so drivers need to take more care on the road to avoid accidents involving bikes. 

Night Riders

Many men and women love to ride their bikes at night. Drivers need to be vigilant when out after dark to avoid accidents. They should increase their following distance and turn off their high beams when a motorcycle approaches. 

Avoid Lane-Sharing

Motorcycles are small vehicles, so a driver might assume they can share a lane with the bike. Doing so is illegal. Bikers are allowed their own lane just as cars are. Sharing a lane with a bike significantly increases the odds of an accident. 

Use Turn Signals

Both drivers and bikes need to use their turn signals routinely. Drivers should turn the signal on sooner than they normally would if a motorcycle is behind them in traffic. This gives the biker time to alter their speed or make other adjustments to accommodate for the vehicle turning.

Take Extra Care in Intersections

Intersections are dangerous for both cars and motorcycles. Blind intersections are a common cause of accidents, so drivers and bikers must take extra care when approaching. Always come to a complete stop, look all ways for other vehicles, and proceed slowly through the intersection. 

Motorcycles are never involved in fender-benders or other minor accidents. The rider and passenger are completely exposed so any accident could result in serious injuries or fatalities. Drivers are responsible for their actions on the road just as bikers are. When all parties look out for one another, accidents will decrease. This is something every person wants to see today. In case of an accident, seeking assistance from experienced motorcycle accident lawyers ensures proper legal representation and support.