With technological advances increasing the amount of distractions for drivers on our streets and highways, motorcycle riders need to be proactive in protecting themselves from serious accidents and injury. Adhering to some fundamental motorcycle safety tips can help riders reduce the possibility of being involved in an accident. Below are a few safety tips from the New Orleans motorcycle accident attorneys at Lambert Zainey to help you avoid collisions:
1. Wear a Helmet and Protective Gear
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, every rider and passenger should wear over-the-ankle footwear, long pants, a long-sleeved jacket, full-fingered motorcycle gloves, and a helmet manufactured to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation motor cycle safety standards. In 2004, the Louisiana legislature reinstated a universal helmet law that requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets. Helmets are especially important because they help protect your head and face from injury. Evidence overwhelmingly suggests that wearing a motorcycle helmet significantly reduces the incidence of head injuries in accidents and the risk of death by 37%. Wearing a helmet can also make riding more enjoyable by deflecting bugs, cutting down on wind noise, and shielding wind from your face.
2. Get Licensed
In order to ride a motorcycle in Louisiana, a potential rider must add a motorcycle endorsement onto a basic license by completing and passing a motorcycle knowledge exam and an on-cycle skills test. The purpose of license requirements is to ensure that riders have the knowledge and skill set to keep themselves and others safe on the road. Additionally, motorcycle riders should undergo professional training instead of relying on friends or relatives to teach them the ends and outs of riding. Professional courses help to improve and maintain a rider’s mental and practical riding skills and can save your life.
3. Be Informed about Motorcycle Safety
A motorcycle rider should do his or her homework before hitting the open road. Riders should have a realistic picture of their own skill level and be familiar with the most common situations that lead to motorcycle accidents. Riders should understand the potential dangers of riding, try to avoid those dangers, and in the event that a hazard cannot be avoided, know how to handle their motorcycle in hazardous conditions. All riders should be knowledgeable about motorcycle safety before riding.
4. Maintain your Motorcycle
Maintenance is not only an essential part of motorcycle ownership, it can make the difference between safe riding and having an accident. Riders should frequently check the engine, brakes, tires, headlamps, turn signals and other parts to ensure the bike is safe for riding. Proper maintenance can reduce a rider’s chance of being involved in a serious collision.
Our Senior Partner, Hugh Lambert, has been riding motorcycles for over 40 years. As an experienced attorney and rider, he knows how to investigate a motorcycle accident and understands the significance of motorcycle accident damages. If you have suffered injuries as a result of a motorcycle collision, contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at Lambert Zainey today.