Mild, sunny spring days make for ideal motorcycle riding conditions. If you choose to hit the open road on a motorcycle this season, it’s important to keep in mind that this mode of transportation is especially dangerous: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclist fatalities were 27 times as common as deaths in other types of vehicles in 2014. In honor of May being National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, our Bucks County motorcycle accident attorney would like to offer a few reminders to help you steer your way to safe riding:
- Choose a helmet that offers maximum protection & wear it every time you ride – Experienced motorcyclists ages 21 and older are not required by Pennsylvania law to wear a helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle. Still, our motorcycle accident attorney in Bucks County strongly recommends wearing a helmet every time you go for a ride, as this piece of equipment could save your life in the event of a crash. To ensure that you are protected against head injuries, select a full-coverage helmet that is made for your head shape/size and approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT). And since helmets are no longer effective after a crash, you should purchase a brand new helmet to guarantee that it has never been worn in an accident.
- Equip yourself and your bike with the best safety gear – In order to safely ride a motorcycle, you’ll need more than just a helmet. You should also be sure to invest in clothing and gear designed to minimize your injuries in an accident, including a motorcycle jacket, gloves, boots and pants. Plus, you’ll want to choose a bike with anti-lock brakes, as this feature will prevent your motorcycle from skidding or rolling when you need to hit the brakes suddenly. Finally, you should equip your bike with high-quality headlights to make it as visible as possible to other motorists.
- Be cautious about riding with a passenger – Before inviting a loved one along for a ride, you should have at least three months of riding experience under your belt and feel totally comfortable on your bike. Keep in mind that having another person on your motorcycle will make it more difficult to steer and balance, so you should practice on easy roads to get comfortable riding with a passenger. Furthermore, always give first-time passengers a rundown of how to safely sit on the bike, and don’t allow anyone to ride on your motorcycle unless they have a helmet and all of the safety gear we mentioned above.
- Inspect your bike before every ride – Prior to taking your motorcycle for a spin, you should always check that everything is in good working order. Make sure the tires are properly filled and the lights, brakes, turn signals and horn are all functioning correctly. If something isn’t working as it should, have it repaired by a professional before getting back on the road.
Riding a motorcycle is great fun, but it can also be risky. Following these tips from our Bucks County motorcycle accident lawyer will help you avoid catastrophes and minimize your injuries in the event of an accident.
Motorcycle Accident? We Will Fight for Your Rights
Even the most experienced, cautious motorcyclists are at risk of being involved in an accident. In the event that you are injured in a crash due to another individual’s negligence, Mr. Gary Heslin of the Heslin Law Firm will be here to offer legal assistance. With a reputation for being the motorcycle accident attorney Bucks County can depend on, Mr. Heslin will work tirelessly to help you get the maximum amount of financial compensation for your injuries.
If you’d like to discuss your case with Mr. Heslin in a free, no-obligation consultation, call (215) 332-0300 today. And for advice on how to help your kids play safely this spring, don’t forget to read our recent post. If you need us, we look forward to serving as your Bucks County motorcycle accident attorney.