Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents & Injuries
South Carolina’s temperate weather and abundance of attractions make it an ideal place to ride a motorcycle. Annual spring and fall motorcycle rallies draw hundreds of thousands of bikers to our area each year, providing a chance to share your enthusiasm with others, while enjoying entertainment and shopping geared specifically to the biking community. While it is easy to understand the appeal of having the sun at your back and the wind in your hair as you roar down roads and highways, the open nature of a motorcycle tends to make accidents and injuries while riding more severe. Use the following tips to get ready for rallies and the summer riding season while brushing up on your defensive driving skills.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Motorcycle accidents are unfortunately common in South Carolina, with injuries that are often life threatening. The most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that 184 motorcycle fatalities were reported in 2015, nearly double the number reported in 2010. In nearly two thirds of these accidents, the rider involved was not wearing a helmet.
While South Carolina motorcycle laws do not require a helmet if you are over the age of 21, wearing one can prevent serious and potentially fatal head injuries. You should also invest in safety glasses or goggles to protect against glare and debris. And be sure to wear long pants and the appropriate footwear. Other steps to help ensure your safety include:
Perform proper maintenance on your motorcycle, making sure tires, brakes, and lights are in good working order
If you are inexperienced in riding, take an approved safety course
Familiarize yourself with the state motorcycle laws and obey all traffic signals
Avoid tailgating or going too fast for conditions
Do not ride if you have been drinking, are overly tired, or are on certain types of medications
Preventing Motorcycle Accidents
The South Carolina RideSmart program aims to increase the safety of bikers by making them aware of how common fatal motorcycle accidents are and the circumstance in which they occur. They urge all riders to make safety a priority and to use caution in the following situations:
Intersections: Always look right, then left, then right again before proceeding through intersections, where 25 percent of all accidents occur.
Driveways: Reduce your speed in residential areas, and realize you may not be visible to drivers pulling out.
Passing: Use caution before passing, and avoid darting in and out of traffic.
Road hazards: Beware of potholes, railroad tracks, oil slicks, gravel roads, and other dangerous conditions, which could cause you to lose control of your bike.
Reach Out to Us for Help
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the Surasky Law Firm right away. Our experienced South Carolina personal injury attorneys understand the serious damages these accidents can cause and can advise you on how to get the compensation you need to recover.
