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Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Share 10 Tips for Avoiding Accidents in 2020

Posted by Motorcycle Lawyer Pro | Filed under: Motorcycle Safety
January 29, 2020

California leads the nation in motorcycle registrations. It also ranks pretty high for motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities. What steps can you take to stay safe as you ride in 2020? Discover some suggestions from a team of top motorcycle accident lawyers.

10 Tips for Avoiding Accidents in 2020 From Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

A fun fact about the State of California is that it has more registered motorcycle drivers than any other state in the nation. According to the most recent DMV data, there are more than 800,000 registered motorcycle drivers in California today. And while there is a lot of fun to be had from riding motorcycles, there are also some obvious downsides… namely, accident and injury.

But just how serious are these problems? In California, the annual rate of motorcycle fatalities has been increasing steadily, year after year, for more than 22 years and counting. Indeed, motorcycle deaths in California have increased by over 100 percent since the late 1990s.

There are a couple of things all motorcyclists should be aware of. The first is that accidents can happen to anyone, even the safest drivers. If you’re ever injured in a motorcycle accident, you’ll want to ensure you have a motorcycle accident attorney who can help you navigate the insurance claims process and receive the maximum monetary compensation, all while you focus on making a robust recovery.

Two, while there’s no way to guarantee you’ll never be involved in any motorcycle accidents, there are some best practices you can follow to maximize your safety and lower your risk of collision, injury, and death.

Here, provided by a team of California motorcycle accident attorneys, is a list of 10 steps toward remaining accident-free in 2020.

Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents: Tips from a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in California

  1. Remain aware of your surroundings. When you’ve been riding a motorcycle for a long time, it’s easy enough to take it for granted, and to forget that you are operating a large and potentially dangerous piece of heavy machinery. It’s critical to keep your wits about you at all times, and to remember to pay attention to the conditions of the road, the weather, other drivers, etc.
  2. Always wear a helmet. Motorcycles are not especially crashworthy vehicles, and the quickest way for motorcycle accidents to turn fatal is when you fail to protect your most vulnerable areas. This means wearing a helmet any time you operate your bike… no matter how far you’re riding. Even if you’re literally driving two blocks up the street, put on that helmet, and don’t take it off until you’re off the bike.
  3. Don’t drive a motorcycle while drunk. This may sound like an obvious one, yet you may be shocked at how often this simple advice is ignored. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drunk driving. In fact, some estimates posit that about half of all motorcycle accidents are alcohol related. Drinking impairs your judgment and slows your reaction time, making you a danger to yourself and everyone else on the road.
  4. Follow the speed limit. If drinking is one of the most significant contributors to motorcycle accidents, speeding doesn’t follow too far behind it. Posted speed limits exist for a reason, and while they can definitely feel like they’re cramping your style, it’s important to obey them.
  5. Avoid sharing lanes. Another critical tip from our motorcycle accident attorneys is to avoid the temptation to share lanes. The rule of thumb here is that you should treat your bike as if it’s a full-size motor vehicle. You would never have two automobiles trying to “share” a lane; that would be madness! Abide by that same principle when you’re on your bike.
  6. Take care of your motorcycle. Still another way to avoid accidents is to ensure that your motorcycle is in good working order. Be attentive to routine vehicle maintenance. Regularly check your chain, belt, brakes, tires, and other important components. Don’t ride on a bike if you know it has a serious maintenance issue that needs to be addressed.
  7. Sharpen your skills. They say that once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget. That may be true, but motorcycle drivers need to stay in practice, ensuring their skills as sharp as can be. If you haven’t gone riding in a while, you may want to take a few practice laps before embarking on a big trip. Also, don’t hesitate to check into local classes, which may help you master some important maneuvers.
  8. Dress appropriately. Motorcycle accident attorneys tend to stress the importance of a helmet, but in truth, your entire outfit matters. The last thing you want is to wear clothing that could easily catch a piece of stray debris or start flapping in the wind. Avoid baggy pants, loose T-shirts, and sandals.
  9. Don’t drive in bad weather. Wet, slick roads can make it extremely difficult for you to safely maneuver your motorcycle. If it’s at all possible for you to avoid taking your bike out in inclement weather, that’s really for the best. As noted above, it’s so important to pay attention to road conditions, and to any hazards caused by the weather.
  10. Drive as though other cars can’t see you. Frankly, it’s best to just assume other drivers are inattentive to you and your bike. Avoid driving in blind spots; that is to say, try to stay either directly in front of or directly behind a car. And if a vehicle is backing up, don’t assume they’ll see you! Let them finish before you move forward.

Again, following these guidelines won’t guarantee that you’ll be accident-free in 2020, but they can certainly minimize your odds of being involved in a highway collision. Keep these tips in mind as you enjoy time on your bike over the course of the coming year.

Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Finally, remember that if you are involved in an accident, it’s important to seek a seasoned legal ally… someone who can help you get back on your feet again ASAP. In other words, it’s important to enlist the services of a motorcycle accident attorney. As you look for motorcycle accident attorneys in your region, be sure to identify a local firm that will give your case the personal attention it requires.