Six Ways To Reduce Your Chances Of A Motorcycle Accident
Are you worried that you could get into a motorcycle accident? Being on a motorcycle does put you in a particularly vulnerable situation, but it also means that you have more maneuverability should something occur. As long as you remain aware and vigilant, you should be able to avoid many hazards.
1. Slow Down Around Blind Corners
Blind corners are dangerous, but not necessarily for the reasons you might think. You might not feel uncertain crossing a blind corner because you know that you're on the right side of the road and that the road is empty. But there could be a change in the road itself. If you, for instance, end up hitting gravel or water beyond the corner, you could end up sliding.
2. Make Sure You Aren't In Blind Spots
No driver wants to turn into a motorcyclist or hit them. What usually happens is that the motorcyclist doesn't realize that they are in the driver's blind spot. Learn the blind spots of vehicles and try your best to avoid them. Sometimes you may want to maneuver yourself so you are directly in the other driver's line of sight.
3. Don't Ride With the Group
Riding side by side on the road is very dangerous for motorcyclists. It's always safer to drive in a straight line, one after the other. This is because it reduces your mobility as a pack; you won't be able to turn to avoid a vehicle or other obstruction because you would be turning into each other.
4. Avoid Parked Vehicles
Parked vehicles are very commonly the cause of an accident. Why? Because people get out of them and open their door without looking, leading the motorcyclist to slam into the now open door. You can't always tell if someone is in a vehicle. Be safe and don't ride next to parked cars.
5. Stop In Front of Stopped Cars
When you're stopped, you are at your most likely to get rear-ended. Being rear-ended is irritating in a car, but it can be life threatening on a motorcycle. If you can, maneuver yourself in front of an already stopped car as you approach the stop light.
6. When Possible, Wait for Acknowledgment
Whenever you're turning at an intersection, wait for the other drivers to visibly see you and acknowledge you. It's better that someone behind you have to wait a little bit longer than for you to pull out in front of someone who isn't paying attention.
Consider keeping the number of a motorcycle accident attorney in your wallet or purse. When something does happen, you will need to react quickly -- sometimes when you're even still in medical care.
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