How to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles offer an affordable, fuel-efficient, and fun mode of transportation. However, motorcycles can be a more dangerous form of transportation than cars and other motor vehicles because there is little to protect a motorcyclist in the event of an accident. Motorcycles lack seatbelts and crumple zones, and are small in size, making the consequences of an accident often very severe. The best way to reduce risk to motorcycle riders is to practice safe motorcycle riding at all times.

The best way to avoid being involved in a motorcycle accident is to take precautionary measures and safety steps to prevent motorcycle accidents from happening in the first place. Below are some helpful tips for motorcyclists and other drivers for preventing motorcycle accidents.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

• Get Educated. Take a motorcycle safety course or a basic rider course if you are new to motorcycling.
• Use Safety Gear. Wear safety gear, clothing, and bright colors while riding, even if it isn’t required by law. All motorcycle riders in Nevada are required by law to wear helmets.
• Be Prepared. Always be prepared to take evasive action. One of the leading causes of injury to motorcyclists is other drivers on the road.
• Use Reasonable Speed. Always approach curves in the road and areas with poor visibility at a reasonable rate of speed. There could be loose gravel or other slick conditions on the roadway that could cause you to lose control of your bike. Once you know that conditions are safe, you can gain speed and enjoy your ride.
• Use Extreme Caution When New to Motorcycling. When you lack experience in riding, exercise extreme caution until you get a feel for what you are doing and what your bike can handle.
• Proper Maintenance. Conduct regular maintenance on your bike, or have it checked, to make sure it is in proper working condition, and no parts are at risk of failing.
• Don’t Drink Alcohol. Don’t drink and ride your motorcycle. Nearly half of all motorcycle accidents resulting in death involve alcohol. Motorcycles require a certain level of concentration and attentiveness to drive safely, and alcohol impairment can seriously endanger your life and the lives of others.

Safety Tips for Other Drivers

• Remain Attentive. Remain vigilant and attentive when driving, and specifically look for motorcyclists. Driving among other cars, trucks, and large motor vehicles has a tendency to desensitize drivers to the presence of motorcyclists.
• Check Your Blind Spots. Motorcycles are small compared to other motorized vehicles and they can easily disappear into blind spots. Use all of your mirrors to check for nearby motorcyclists, and even glance over your shoulder if necessary to check that the lane is clear of motorcyclists.
• Give Motorcyclists Space. Don’t ever tailgate motorcyclists. Instead, try to provide them with enough room on the roadway to safely ride.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recovery for your injuries. Our family-run Las Vegas law firm aggressively represents Nevada motorcycle accident victims, and we may be able to help you.

Tips for Riders: Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents

A few months ago we discussed some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States. Although the majority of motorcycle crashes are caused by the actions of passenger vehicle drivers, there are precautions that riders can take to protect themselves.

Take a professional training course. Some studies show that more than 90% of the riders involved in motorcycle accidents are self-taught or taught by friends. Get training from a professional to learn the safest ways to operate your bike and methods to avoid collisions.

Always wear a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37% of riders killed in motorcycle accidents would have survived if they had simply worn a helmet. In Nevada, all riders and passengers are required to wear helmets that meet the safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Wear full protective gear. Motorcycles don’t offer any of the protection provided by passenger vehicles. In the event of a collision, your clothing is the only thing protecting your skin from the ground. Wearing close-fitting and abrasion-resistant materials, such as leather, can help prevent severe road rash and lacerations if you are thrown from your bike. Protect yourself by wearing a jacket, long pants, boots, and gloves.

Maintain your bike. Make sure your bike’s engine, brakes, tires, turn signals, headlamps, and other parts are working properly before you hit the road.

Be defensive. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers’ failure to see riders. Always be aware of what is happening in the lanes around you, make sure that you don’t tailgate, and leave yourself plenty of stopping distance.

Follow traffic laws. Obeying the laws, such as using your signals, not speeding, and not splitting or sharing lanes can reduce your risk of being in an accident.

Avoid road and weather hazards. Be on the lookout for pot holes and debris in the road, and if you cannot avoid them, slow down as much as you can before encountering them. If you must drive in the rain, drive slower, leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles, and be gentle when steering and using your brakes or throttle.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle collision in the Las Vegas area, our experienced personal injury lawyers at De Castroverde Law Group can assist you with seeking compensation for your losses. Visit our Motorcycle Accident page for more information.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Unfortunately, it seems like motorcycle accidents make the headlines every week in the Las Vegas area. These collisions often lead to catastrophic injuries, and the tragic truth is that most motorcycle accidents are preventable. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Cars Making Left Turns
Drivers making left-hand turns cause approximately 42% of all motorcycle accidents. Passenger vehicles making left turns often hit motorcycles when the rider is:

• Passing the turning vehicle
• Trying to overtake the turning vehicle
• Going straight through the intersection when the vehicle turns

Sudden-Stops
The small size of motorcycles means that they can stop more quickly than larger passenger vehicles. If a car is following a motorcycle too closely and the rider has to stop abruptly, a rear-end collision will likely result. The impact caused by a car striking a motorcycle can cause the rider to be thrown from the bike onto the ground or the car in front of them, leading to severe injuries.

Failure to Yield
Much like left-hand turn collisions, failure to yield accidents are often the result of drivers failing to notice motorcycle riders. Failure to yield collisions can occur if a driver does not yield to a motorcycle when:

• Merging onto a highway
• Changing lanes
• Leaving or entering a parking lot or garage
• Making a right-hand turn
• Crossing through an intersection that is controlled by a traffic signal or stop sign

Open Doors
Open door accidents often occur in urban areas when drivers parked on the side of the road throw their car doors open into the immediate path of oncoming motorcycles. These collisions are typically caused by drivers failing to check for oncoming traffic before opening the doors of their parked vehicles.

Drivers of passenger vehicles can help prevent injuries to motorcycle riders by operating their cars safely and checking carefully for motorcycles before making any maneuvers on the road. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, our lawyers at De Castroverde Law Group can assist you with seeking rightful compensation. Visit the Motorcycle Accidents page on our website to learn more.