Connecticut has some beautiful roads for riding. Whether rolling up the coast of Long Island Sound or riding around the Taconic Mountains, bikers know the insane beauty of the Nutmeg State. Nothing can ruin a ride more than an unexpected accident, especially one that could have been prevented. Savvy bikers follow some unwritten rules of the road to help them stay upright and road-rash-free.
Unfortunately, no matter how cautious you may be, collisions with cars are always a possibility. If you’ve been struck by one, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Hartford. While recovering from your injuries, they’ll fight to ensure you get the best settlement possible.
Essential Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents
Having a plan and following some simple rules can help to increase your odds of keeping you and your ride upright and accident-free. Although there’s always the real possibility of an accident due to another vehicle’s negligence, many motorcycle accidents can be avoided by learning the dos and don’ts of riding. Whether you’ve got thousands of miles under your belt or you’re a newbie rider, educating yourself about the potential dangers of the road is key to survival.
Pre-Ride Checklist
Experienced bikers know they should never just hop on their ride, start, pop the clutch, and hit the road without doing a few safety checks. This doesn’t take long and should be a part of every motorcycle enthusiast’s pre-ride routine.
Ensure the bike’s tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread for riding. Ensure the headlight, turn signals, tail, and brake lights work. And most importantly, give the front and rear brakes a test before taking off. While riding is the fun part, sufficient stopping power is crucial.
Be Prepared for the Weather
Always check the weather before heading out for an all-day or overnight adventure. If there’s the slightest chance of inclement weather, pack rain gear and a change of clothing. Riding while wet and uncomfortable can quickly turn into rider fatigue which could result in slower reaction times, often leading to an accident.
Riders who aren’t comfortable riding on wet and slick roads should either find a safe place to pull over and ride out the storm, or if this isn’t possible, they should slow down and throttle and brake more smoothly. Be especially cautious when leaning into turns on wet roads, as slick surfaces need to be ridden on differently than dry ones.
Ride Defensively and Have an Escape Plan
Speeding and riding aggressively are some of the most dangerous things you can do on two wheels. Always be aware of your surroundings and what obstacles could lay ahead. Give yourself plenty of room around other vehicles, so you have time to brake or change lanes if need be. When riding on multilane roads, be aware of the vehicles around you and always have an exit plan if a vehicle decides to enter your lane.
Take Extra Care When Stopped at Lights and Stop Signs
An all too common motorcycle accident is getting rear-ended when stopped at traffic lights and stop signs. As you pull up to stop, avoid stopping directly in the center and always opt to be more towards the right portion of the lane. If a driver pulls up to the intersection and doesn’t immediately see you, your chances of being struck lessen if you’re not in the center of the lane.
Always keep your motorcycle in gear while waiting for your turn to go. If you must move forward to avoid being struck from behind quickly, you can ease out the clutch and avoid being hit. Another tip while waiting is to periodically squeeze your hand brake or tap on the foot brake. This will engage your brake light which can help approaching vehicles see you.
Be Visible
One of the biggest excuses drivers say who’ve hit a motorcyclist is, “I didn’t see him/her.” Always ride with your headlight on, day or night. If your running lights are on, other vehicles are more likely to see you. Avoid riding in other vehicles’ blind spots. Motorcycles have a slim profile and could be difficult to see. A good rule of thumb is when behind a vehicle, ensure that you can see yourself in their side view mirrors. If you can see your bike’s headlight, the driver can see you too.
Ride Sober
If you’re “born to be wild,” do it sans alcohol. This shouldn’t be stated, but no one operating a motorcycle or any motor vehicle should do so under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Those “harmless beers” with your buddies during a mid-day ride break could prove fatal. Alcohol will slow reaction times and will affect your judgment. If you’re drinking, don’t ride. If you’re riding, don’t drink.
Essential Tips for Motorcyclists to Prevent Accidents: The Bottom Line
Although no biker is immune to a careless driver, several steps can be taken to ensure they don’t do anything that would help to contribute to an accident. Being prepared for inclement weather and ensuring their bike’s brakes are working perfectly are two great suggestions for safety. Lights on and avoiding other vehicles’ blind spots are also key to avoiding an accident.
In the event of being injured in a motorcycle accident, the best way to ensure they receive the best compensation is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. While they’re recuperating from the crash, their lawyer will be busy gathering the strongest evidence to prove negligence, injuries, and damages.
