Riding on the roads of Green Bay and surrounding areas, you are bound to see traffic accidents occur—or soon afterwards. Many times these wrecks will involve motorcycles. As the number of motorcycles on the road increases, so does the number of accidents. In 2010 there were 2,214 Wisconsin motorcycle accidents that involved an injury. That is a nine percent increase over 2000.
Using a motorcycle as a means of transportation can be a fun, fuel-saving way of getting around. Knowing and taking preventative precautions can greatly reduce your risk of being involved in a Wisconsin motorcycle crash. Some of these steps to stay safe on the road are:
- Know your bike. Take the time to get to know your motorcycle and how it handles. Be able to ride with confidence. There are many classes you can take to perfect your abilities on the bike.
- Keep your bike “road ready.” Be sure to keep current on all maintenance according to your owner’s manual. Before each ride, take a quick glance at your blinkers, lights, signals, and tires to be sure everything is ready for operation.
- Make sure others see you. Ride with your lights on at all times and use blinkers appropriately. Wear bright colors making you more visible to others on the road. The most common excuse car drivers give for colliding with a motorcycle in Wisconsin is, “I just didn’t see him.”
- Be aware of your surroundings. Stay focused on the road and what is going on around you. If a vehicle or object becomes a danger, you will be more quickly to avoid an accident.
- Watch behind you. Many motorcycle accidents are due to the rider being hit from behind. While slowing or sitting at an intersection, make sure to watch in your mirrors for potential danger. Leave yourself room to make appropriate adjustments to avoid being hit.
Taking precautions can greatly reduce your odds of being involved in an accident. Many Green Bay motorcycle accidents are due to the negligence of others on the road and cannot be avoided by the rider.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident it is important to know your rights. For a free consultation, contact the Green Bay bike crash attorneys at Hupy and Abraham. Call 920-593-5050 locally or 800-800-5678 toll-free today to schedule your meeting, and you will qualify for a FREE copy of the book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims.
