Added on December 30, 2019  The News Wheel

Tips for Avoiding the Most Common Motorcycle Crashes

This article is sponsored by Davis Law Group.

Riding a motorcycle gives you a different kind of high on the road. That’s why it’s not surprising that there are about 200 million motorcycle riders in the world. Along with this enormous number are the fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes. Thankfully, the number of motorcycle accidents is expected to go down as most modern bikes are equipped with powerful brakes, excellent handling, and high-grip tires. It is up to the rider to make the best decisions on the road to avoid accidents.

Here are the most common motorcycle accidents and how to avoid them.

You hit gravel or a pothole

Hitting gravel or going over a pothole is a common type of motorcycle accident that happens when riders turn into a blind corner. How to avoid this accident? Ride your bike at a pace that will allow you enough reaction time. It’s also good to follow this rule of thumb on the road: “Go Slow In, Come Fast Out.” When going in a corner, approach wide and slow so you can increase your vision. You can ride fast again when you have the proper view.

The vehicle in front turns left

This is one of the most common accidents motorcycle riders have to deal with: a car driver failing to judge your speed properly and suddenly turning left in front of you. Often, drivers who make this error think that the absence of cars allows them to make that turn safely but they fail to factor in the presence of a motorcycle.

Avoid it by using your own judgment. When you are on the road, you share the responsibility of keeping the road safe. You, as a motorcycle driver, must use defensive riding tactics to reduce your chances of being hit. Pay attention to signs that the car in front of you is going to make a turn. If you believe this to be the case, adjust your speed. Slow down and take precautionary measures. Most of the time, gaps in traffic are a sign that someone is passing through that gap.

Most motorcycle riders get into an accident because they fail to anticipate and fail to take careful measures. Be defensive. In the end, you can use your defensive riding tactics as proof to your motorcycle accident attorneys that you are, in no way, at fault for the accident.

You enter a corner too fast

When you round a corner at top speed, there is a high chance of crashing. As mentioned above, only ride your bike at a pace that allows you to have full control of your motorcycle and full view of the road ahead of you. Never go fast when entering a corner, especially if you are not familiar with the turn. If you enter a corner too quickly, your best bet is to trust your bike. Brake smoothly and don’t do anything that will rattle the motorcycle.

A car makes a sudden lane change

Motorcycles often end up in an accident because the space they’re occupying is misjudged. While in traffic, a car can suddenly veer into your lane and hit you. Avoid this by knowing where the blind spots are and staying away from them. One way of checking this is when you can see the driver’s eyes in their side mirrors. If you can see them then they should be able to see you. However, you also have to stay alert since it does not mean that they are looking.

You have to be more attentive to signs that a car would try to change lanes, such as turning wheels, turn signals, movement of the driver’s head, and the vehicle moving on its lane as the driver checks the mirror.

When riding your bike, always think of safety first – your safety and the safety of the people around you. Be a responsible and defensive motorcycle driver.