Many riders hop on their motorcycles to escape for a little while and to enjoy the open road. While riding, the last thing you want to worry about is getting into an accident, but sometimes the unthinkable happens. There are many hazards to look out for while riding your motorcycle and keeping those at top of mind will help you stay safe on the road.
Let’s look at some of the main causes of motorcycle accidents.
- Distracted Drivers – You can be the best rider in the world and do everything right, but an accident can still be caused by another driver on the road. One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents today is distracted driving. Drivers of other vehicles may not be paying attention due to many reasons -- texting, talking on their phone, eating, changing the radio, etc. In the last 20 years, driver cell phone use has increased greatly and that has contributed to the high number of cars hitting motorcycles. To avoid an accident like this, you’ll have to continue riding at your best and try to anticipate what a distracted driver may do. Being extra cautious will help keep you and your bike safe. Keep enough space between you and any vehicles around you and have an escape route in mind in case you need to react rapidly. Making yourself highly visible while riding, through using lights and gear, will help drivers notice you. You can also make sure other drivers you know are aware of motorcycles and to always look out for them. Hupy and Abraham has been spreading the “Watch for Motorcycles” message for decades, trying to make drivers aware that motorcycles are everywhere. If you’d like to get a free “Watch for Motorcycles” sticker, click here.
- Left-Turning Vehicles – A main cause of accidents is other cars making a left turn in front of a motorcyclist and colliding with them. Since a motorcycle is much smaller than other vehicles, drivers turning left may not see the bike approaching, may not be looking for them or simply may not be paying attention. An accident like this can be catastrophic and cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death. You’ll have to keep a look out for vehicles about to make a left turn. If you can do it safely, look at a car's tires to see if they are turned to the left, which might indicate that they are going to turn in front of you. Keep a good distance between yourself and any car in front of you, so that the vehicle in front doesn’t hide you or make you more difficult to see. You can also flash your headlight’s brights to a car that may be about to turn in front of you. Always being cautious while approaching an intersection is going to help keep you safe.
- Road Conditions and Hazards – There are many things you need to look out for on a motorcycle that may not be considered dangerous while driving another vehicle. Abnormalities on the road’s pavement, debris like leaves, grass clippings, gravel and sand, standing water, view obstructions, poorly marked roads and railroad tracks are just some of the road hazards you may encounter on your bike and all of them can cause a serious accident. Make sure you are completely comfortable on your motorcycle and that your bike is in top riding condition before going out on the road. This includes your tires, brakes, lights and wiring. Having your bike in top condition can sometimes help in dangerous situations where you need to maneuver suddenly or react quickly. Always be aware of your surroundings and look out for any hazards that may affect you.
Riding a motorcycle can be risky, but for many of us, the rewards outweigh the risks. Keep your safety as a top priority while riding and that will help ensure your well-being on the road and help you avoid accidents.
At Hupy and Abraham, we do all we can to help motorcycle riders. Our firm has promoted rider awareness and safety for decades. Hupy and Abraham’s “Watch for Motorcycles” message is spread through billboards, TV ads, stickers and more to help keep riders at top of mind of other drivers and help save their lives. Stay tuned to HUPY.COM for more motorcycle articles, tips and tricks and videos.
Sometimes, even if you do everything right on your motorcycle, an accident can still happen. If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today at 800-800-5678 so we can start fighting for you. Hupy and Abraham has helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their injuries.
