Motorcycle Accident Safety Tips

Whether you are brand new to owning and riding a motorcycle, or you have years of experience, it never hurts to consider how you can keep yourself safe on the road. The more proactive you are in riding safely, the less likely you are to be the cause of a collision or to lay down your bike. However, you cannot control anyone else on the road. You cannot make drivers keep an eye out for motorcycles or inform them on how to safely share the road. Because of this, you are still at risk for being hurt in a motorcycle accident. If you were injured in a crash that was another driver’s fault, call our motorcycle accident attorneys in Miami Florida at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. right away at (877) 475-2905.

To give yourself the best chance of a happy, safe, and successful ride, you should:

• Never ride without a valid license: If you do not have a valid motorcycle license or endorsement, you are not qualified to ride, and even if you believe you are, doing so would be illegal.
• Take an extra class: To obtain your Florida motorcycle license or endorsement, you must take and pass a Basic Rider Course through a Florida Rider Training Program authorized sponsor. It also benefits you to take additional riding classes to learn more advanced riding techniques.
• Wear the right gear: Always wear long pants and sleeves, preferably made of a thick protective material like leather. You should also have on strong boots to protect your feet as well as gloves and eye protection.
• Wear reflective gear: it is not enough to be covered head to toe with protective gear. Your clothing and equipment should be visible to others, particularly at dawn, dusk, and at night. Your gear should have several reflective elements.
• Wear a helmet: If you are in a catastrophic accident, there is only so much a helmet can do. However, in terms of minor to moderate motorcycle accidents, a helmet does a lot to protect your face, skull, and brain. Without it, you are much more likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury. You should have a full-face helmet that is approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and fits you properly.
• Avoid bad weather: You may have had plans to take ride your motorcycle one day or to use it daily to commute to work. But then you wake up and it’s raining or foggy. If your area or intended destination is experiencing bad weather, avoid riding your motorcycle that day.
• Never ride while drowsy: Being overly tired means you are not suitable be operating a moving vehicle. If you missed out on sleep the night before or have been sleeping poorly for days or weeks, avoid riding your bike. Drowsy driving is a common contributed to collisions.
• Never drink and ride: You should never get on your motorcycle after drinking alcohol. It increases the likelihood of you causing an accident or being unable to appropriately and quickly respond to a hazard.
• Avoid speeding: It is easy to want to speed while riding a motorcycle. It can feel like that is what the bike was made for. But speed is one of the most common contributors to auto accidents. If you are speeding, you are less likely to be able to avoid a hazard or stop in time to avoid a crash. And, accidents at higher speeds lead to more serious injuries.
• Prioritize bike maintenance: The state of your motorcycle can be a factor in accidents, though this is something some riders overlook. Make sure to keep your bike clean and maintained to avoid defects or potential mechanical or system failures.
• Learn your route beforehand: If you want to go out for a long ride, do some research on your route. You should know the road’s posted speed limits, whether there are hills and curves, and whether the roads get a lot of traffic. This helps you avoid routes that are above your skill level.

Our Miami Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Handle All Types of Crashes

At Gerson & Schwartz P.A., our highly experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers handle claims arising from all types of motorcycle wrecks, such as:

• Miami Motorcycle Rear-End Collisions
• Miami Side Impact Motorcycle Accidents
• Miami Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
• Miami Right-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
• Miami Intersection Motorcycle Accidents
• Truck-Motorcycle Collisions in Miami
• Motorcycle-Uber Collisions in Miami
• Motorcycle-Lyft Collisions in Miami
• Miami Motorcycle DUI Crashes
• Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents in Miami
• Motorcycles Run Off Road in Miami
• Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accidents in Miami
• Poor Road Design Motorcycle Accidents in Miami
• Road Hazard Motorcycle Accidents in Miami
• Miami Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accidents

If you were in a motorcycle crash because of another vehicle, commercial truck, or motorcycle operator, do not hesitate to call our bilingual motorcycle accident lawyers in Miami to discuss your right to full and fair compensation. When another person’s carelessness, recklessness, or intentional misconduct on the road caused your injuries, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and more.

Contact Gerson & Schwartz P.A. through our online form or by calling (305) 371-6000.