Motorcycle Safety Tips
Posted on: June 24, 2024There are few things that can beat the feeling of freedom you get riding on the back of a motorcycle. But if you want to keep appreciating Florida’s incredible scenery for years to come, you need to stay in peak riding condition.
In short, you need to stay safe on the road.
Motorcycle accidents don’t just keep you from enjoying your favorite weekend pastime—they can come with hefty medical bills and long recovery times that can upend your entire life. Here are a few tips for making motorcycle safety part of your regular riding routine.
Any accident between two vehicles can cause physical harm and injury. Yet even though motorcycles lack the weight of a four-door sedan, they (and their riders) tend to fare much worse in an accident.
Motorcycle accidents have an 80% rate of injury and/or death (compared to just 20% of car accidents). This is partly because motorcycles don’t come with air bags, seat belts, or many of the safety features that car drivers take for granted. Being open to the elements also makes injury more likely.
Combine this with a motorcycle’s reduced control and more sensitive brakes and you have an accident waiting to happen!
There are more than 650,000 registered motorcycles in the state of Florida, which makes it imperative that motorists learn to share the road—regardless of the type of transportation they’re using.
In this next section, we’ll go over some of the top motorcycle safety tips.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
There are nearly 1,000 motorcycle accidents each year in Central Florida alone. Yet despite an abundance of safety campaigns telling drivers to “share the road,” motorcyclists tend to carry the burden of keeping themselves safe.
Gear
Road rash is a common motorcycle accident injury. To prevent it, make sure you are protected from head to toe.
Proper motorcycle gear should not only protect you from scrapes and collisions; it should also help prevent them by making you more visible. Aim for bright, reflective, or at the very least, noticeable clothing.
This includes:
- Helmet (required under age 21 and for those without the proper insurance)
- Eye protection*
- Jacket
- Pants or chaps
- Gloves
- Boots
* required by law for all motorcycle operators
In addition to required eye protection, wearing a helmet is one of the biggest steps you can make toward keeping yourself safe, even if you’re not required by law to wear one.
Head injuries cause traumatic brain damage and other catastrophic injuries. These brain injuries can have devastating impacts on you, your ability to work, and your relationships with your friends and family. And head injuries without a helmet can often be fatal.
Bike Equipment
No matter what you’re driving, you’re only as safe as your vehicle, so practice proper motorcycle maintenance.
You should check your bike regularly to make sure it’s in safe operating condition—especially if it’s been a while!
Florida weather can change in an instant, so don’t forget to check the forecast before you head out. This will prevent you from being surprised by a sudden thunderstorm.
On the Road
First of all, never ride while under the influence! Alcohol and drug use impairs your judgment and slows down your reaction time, making a serious accident much more likely.
Second, obey all traffic laws and posted speed limits. Speeding makes it difficult for motorists to know how close you are.
Next, avoid other drivers’ blind spots and don’t tailgate. Do not weave in and out of lanes making it more difficult for other drivers to see you. And remember, lane splitting is illegal in Florida!
Motorcycles tend to have more sensitive brakes than a motor vehicle. To give motorists plenty of reaction time, brake more slowly than you need to and make sure your brake light engages.
Additional Training
Florida law requires everyone to complete a mandatory training course before acquiring a motorcycle license. However, it is a good idea to complete advanced training to better hone your skills.
And the best way to become a safer motorcyclist? Practice! Just like any other skill, operating a motorcycle relies on your muscle memory. Plus, it gives you an excuse to go on another ride!
Conclusion
Motorcycle safety doesn’t make accidents completely avoidable, but it will go a long way toward fighting the “motorcycle bias” that many jurors, insurance adjusters, and lawyers have.
At Beers & Gordon, we specialize in fighting for the rights of motorcycle riders and do whatever we can to ensure they receive fair compensation for any injuries.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, schedule a free consultation with the motorcycle accident attorneys at Beers & Gordon.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
