With spring here and summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to wake your motorcycle from its longer winter’s nap and get back out on the road. However, before you do, you should make sure that you and your motorcycle are prepared to do so safely. Motorcycles aren’t the only vehicles that flood the roadways during the summer. Unfortunately, many of the drivers of those other vehicles don’t know how to share the road safely, which can lead to devastating car, truck, and motorcycle accidents.
Top 6 Tips for Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle During the Summer
In an ideal world, drivers behind the wheel of cars and trucks would prioritize safety above all else. They would look twice at intersections and when changing lanes, and they would do everything within their power to avoid collisions with other vehicles, especially motorcycles. Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than drivers and passengers in cars and trucks, so drivers of cars and trucks should make an extra effort to keep the roads safe for motorcyclists.
While some drivers do this, many don’t, which is unfortunate and can sometimes lead to tragedy. However, there are steps that motorcyclists can take to stay safe on the roads even if drivers of cars and trucks don’t operate their vehicles as safely as they should. Here are the top six summer motorcycle safety tips:
- Check Your Bike – Inspect your motorcycle. Make sure everything is in great shape. Check the lights, motor, tires, brakes, horn, and mirrors. If possible, have a mechanic check it out as well. Mechanical issues can leave you stranded out on the road or result in an accident. You should do everything you can to catch those issues before you head out on the road.
- Check Your Gear – Your gear can sometimes be the only thing between you and serious injury if you’re involved in a wreck. Make sure you have everything you need and that it is all in top condition. Safety equipment you should have includes a helmet, boots, jacket, reflective clothing/gear, pants, elbow, knee, and shin guards, and gloves. While it might be tempting to ride wearing just shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt, and no helmet, if you’re in a wreck, you could really regret not wearing proper protective gear.
- Check the Weather – When we think about summer, we picture sunny skies and beautiful weather. However, storms are a part of summer too, so make sure to keep an eye on the weather before you go out riding. Wet roads and low visibility are never safe conditions to ride in.
- Check the Road Conditions – This is both something to check on before you ride and while you’re riding. Road conditions are always changing. If you know there’s going to be construction on your route, maybe take a different route. Or if you notice a lot of fallen tree branches and other debris along your usual route, it might be wise to take a detour. When at all possible, try to ride on roads that are free of debris and other hazards.
- Check Yourself – Make sure you’re riding safely. Review best practices before riding, especially if you haven’t ridden your motorcycle in a while. Also, never ride your motorcycle if you have been drinking or are impaired in any way.
- Check the Laws – Laws change more often than many of us realize. Before heading back out on your motorcycle. Check the laws to make sure you know what is legal and what is not. Lane splitting is one controversial issue that many motorcyclists don’t realize is illegal in Connecticut. In addition, it is a dangerous practice that can result in accidents and serious injury. We covered the topic of lane splitting in depth in a recent blog post.
Speak with an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Following a motorcycle wreck, motorcyclists and their families can suffer on several levels. Motorcyclists may be faced with a long road to recovery from the devastating injuries they sustained in the crash, including hospitalization and physical therapy. Plus, a motorcyclist may not be able to work due to the injuries they suffered in the accident, leaving them with no income as they face a mountain of hospital bills and future medical expenses.
At Action Law Group, LLC, we understand what is at stake for our clients. We take each of our clients’ cases very seriously. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys fight for our clients with the same ferocity that they would fight for themselves or someone they love if they were in the same situation. We have been helping injury victims and their families hold those responsible for hurting them accountable for years. Our legal team has more than 50 years of collective experience. Let us help you secure the compensation you need to regain control of your finances and move forward with your life. And don’t worry about the cost because you don’t owe us any fees unless we win!
For more information about Action Law Group, LLC, check out our clients’ testimonials.
To discuss your situation with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, give us a call at (203) 439-3143 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation. We’re available 24/7. Se habla Español.