It is easy to fall instantly in love with riding a motorcycle. However, the excitement that comes with riding can quickly lead to high-risk behavior and catastrophic injuries in a motorcycle accident. Continue reading to learn what dangerous behaviors you should be sure to avoid and what safety steps you can take to protect yourself. If you are involved in an accident, we invite you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
California Motorcycle Riders Have Extra Reason to Worry
According to the Department of Transportation, California has the largest volume of motorcycles in the country. What is more, Los Angeles itself is the most dangerous county in the country for fatal motorcycle accidents and catastrophic injuries – and other nearby counties are not far behind.
Avoid These Dangerous Behaviors
Some of the dangerous behaviors that can lead to motorcycle accidents include speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, driving while drowsy, not yielding the right of way, or making an unsafe lane change. Of course, one of the top dangerous behaviors is riding while intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. According to experts, nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve drinking and driving.
Follow These Simple Safety Tips to Stay Safer on Your Motorcycle
Avoiding dangerous behaviors is not the only step you can take to reduce your chance of being involved in a serious or fatal motorcycle accident. You should also always wear a helmet – even if you are just going around the corner. In fact, there are many pieces of safety gear that can help you survive an accident, such as chaps, arm pads, and leg pads.
If you have been drinking, get a ride home with someone who has not been drinking or all for a taxi or rideshare vehicle. Do not speed – even if you feel as though you are the only person on the road. The speed limit is there for a reason; it is the fastest you can safely travel in ideal road conditions. If it is wet or there are other issues, then you should be driving less than the speed limit.
Obey every traffic law and look out for road obstacles. You should always leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you. If they were to hit a car from behind, there is a good chance that there would be no injuries and that any injuries that did occur would be minor. However, if you hit a car from behind there is a good chance you will be thrown from the motorcycle and this can be deadly.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident we urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation. We can discuss your case and help you better understand the best option available to you. Call us now and we can get started.
