The call of the open road is compelling. For some who answer, there is a brand of speed, a rush of wind, and a constant air of danger associated with motorcycles that simply cannot be duplicated with an automobile.

motorcycle safety tips

Biking by the numbers

With such excitement comes considerable risk. The numbers on this are unambiguous:

  • Motorcycles make up a mere 3% of registered U.S. road vehicles
  • But 11% of all U.S. roadway accidents involve motorcycles
  • Motorcyclists and their passengers are 5 times more likely to be injured in an accident than drivers and passengers in automobiles
  • Motorcycle riders are 30 times more likely to die in a crash than their car-riding counterparts
  • In 2013 there were 4957 motorcycle deaths in the U.S.

Reduce risk with safer habits

This may sound like common sense, but if it were so it might be heeded more often and reduce the accident, personal injury and fatality statistics.

Don’t drink and ride

If it’s true on four wheels, it’s even more so on two, given the crucial role balance plays in motorcycling. One in three motorcycle accidents are attributed to drinking and riding.

Use your head and your helmet

Use of this critical safety equipment waxes and wanes generationally and in response to both publicized accidents and fashion/coolness trends. But helmets’ effectiveness is beyond reproach: helmets reduce fatalities by 37% for riders and 41% for their passengers.

Speed kills

Excessive speeding accounts for 35% of motorcycle accidents. It’s tempting when you’re literally sitting on a high-power engine to want to see what it can do, but you only have to be a little wrong to have a horrible and possibly tragic result.

Can’t we just get along?

Drivers of cars and riders of motorcycles each can play an important role in keeping the roads safe. Signaling, checking blind spots, and allowing for more following distance are advisable for car drivers. For bikers, helmets, proper signaling, avoiding “lane splitting,” and wearing bright clothing can reduce risk of accidents.

What to do if a motorcycle accident occurs

Given the nature of the vehicle and lack of a protective structure, safety harnesses, and air bags to protect its riders, a motorcycle accident will almost always mean injuries. This can lead to substantial medical bills, invasive and ongoing treatments and rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering for not just victims but their family members. The best way to protect your rights and best interests and recover the compensation you need is to work with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Knoxville.

Protect your loved one — Call Hotz and Associates for more motorcycle safety tips

If you or someone you care about becomes the unfortunate victim of a motorcycle-related accident, contact our Knoxville motorcycle accident attorneys for a free consultation. You can email, chat with us online, or give us a call at (865) 637-9000.