Tips to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents: Causes 35 Times More Deaths Per Mile Traveled Than Automobiles

Did you know that motorcycle accidents cause 35 times more deaths per mile traveled than automobiles?

That doesn’t mean you should give up riding your motorcycle, but there are things you can do to keep you safer on a road full of car drivers who aren’t programmed to see motorcycles.

From a motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles, here are some tips to avoid motorcycle accidents so you can safely ride for years to come:

#1 – Pay attention to everything

As a motorcycle rider, you need to try to predict the moves of every driver on the road to keep yourself safe. What are some examples of things to look out for?

• Cars turning left in front of motorcycles are the most frequent cause of motorcycle accidents. Every time you approach an intersection, you should check to see if there are cars in the oncoming turn lane and be prepared to stop or swerve if they decide to turn in front of you.
• Cars changing lanes in front of you. Car drivers are so tuned to check for cars in their blind spots that they may fail to see motorcycles in their blind spots. Spend as little time as possible in blind spots and always try to have an exit plan. 
• Being rear-ended. What might only be a minor fender bender in a car can be deadly for a motorcyclist. When you’re stopped at an intersection, try to reduce your exposure by stopping in front of or between cars. If that’s not possible, stay to the far side of your lane, flash your brake lights, and be prepared to get out of the way if you notice somebody coming up too quickly behind you.
• A car opens its door. Always avoid riding between parked cars and moving traffic because you never know when somebody might open the door of a parked car and turn your nice ride into a scene from a bad comedy.

#2 – Slow down heading into curves, rain, or ice

Don’t be caught unprepared. You never know what you might find around the next corner, so slow down a bit to prevent wiping out if a curve is sharper than you expected, there’s gravel or debris in the road, or rain has caused an oil slick. If you’re going to wipe out, reducing your speed first can mean the difference between life and death.

#3 – Learn from a professional

90% of motorcycle accidents are caused by people who learned how to ride from a friend or taught themselves. The basics of motorcycle riding may be simple enough, but a riding lesson with a professional can teach you ways to handle your bike that you never would have thought of on your own that could save your life. For example, there are special braking tips a professional can show you that could save your life.

#4 – Wear a helmet

OK, so a helmet won’t help prevent motorcycle accidents – it only protects your head if you have an accident despite taking every precaution. It may not look cool, but a helmet can save your life in a motorcycle accident.

Not afraid of death?

Some things are worse than death, like spending your remaining life in a coma or with a traumatic brain injury that stops you from being able to take care of yourself. Think about how your family would be affected if you were incapacitated and they had to take care of you for the rest of your life. Isn’t a helmet worth not putting your family through that?

#5 – Don’t drink and ride

Alcohol is a factor in half of all motorcycle accidents. You can’t prevent other drivers from drinking, but you can choose not to drink and ride. Drinking slows your reaction time, and on a motorcycle in a world full of inattentive car drivers, you need all the reaction time you can get to stay safe.

As a motorcycle rider, you can’t avoid every accident, but by paying attention and taking sensible precautions, you can continue to enjoy riding your motorcycle for years to come – without ever needing to consult a motorcycle accident attorney. 

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