Reduce Speed; Reduce Risk

We are all well-aware that we shouldn’t be speeding.  The limits are there for a reason: either to protect you as the driver or rider, or to protect everyone else that could be harmed if you lose control of the vehicle.

However, every year thousands of people die in speed related accidents.  Those who are on two wheels are especially prone to injury or death when they crash.  How do you protect yourself on a motorcycle?  The Car Crash Captain gives us some pointers on what to do.

Reduce Your Speed to Save Lives

Car and motorcycle speeding increases the risk of fatal accidents.  According to the NHTSA 28% of all fatal crashes involved excessive speed; 33% of fatal motorcycle wrecks had speeding as a factor.  Imagine the number of lives we could save if we all slowed down a little bit?

Simply abiding by the speed limit will still get you to your destination.  If you’re running late, excessive speed usually doesn’t save enough time to justify the risk.

Wear the Appropriate Protective Gear

The only way to make riding a motorcycle safer is for the rider to wear the appropriate safety and protective gear.  Assuming the rider is being safe, wearing the right gear is going to decrease the risks of injury or death.

Without getting too much into it, that gear includes wearing an approved helmet, clothing, gloves, and having the right modifications on the motorcycle itself.  Read more about what protective clothing you should be wearing, and then brush up on what kind of helmet is essential.

Look Twice Save a Life

A motorcycle is smaller than other vehicles, and thus harder to see.  A motorcycle speeding is even harder to see than one that’s moving slower.  If you’re riding around in a passenger vehicle, you should be especially attentive during days with nicer weather so you don’t miss seeing someone on two wheels.

If you’re riding a motorcycle, looking twice is still going to be helpful.  You’re probably already well aware of the other bikers on the road, but what you’re looking for here is a motorist that doesn’t appear to see you.  You don’t have to make eye contact, but being on the lookout for a driver that might not be planning to yield can save your life.

Quit Being So Distracted

Back in 1996 a 32-foot-tall mural featuring Dennis Rodman was erected along the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago.  Known for his crazy hair, tattoos, and piercings, Rodman was quite the spectacle to watch as he played basketball, and quite the spectacle off the court as well.  His mural caused so much gawking and staring that people slowed down, caused traffic jams, and a wreck or two occurred.

Today, of course, we don’t have to have murals to distract us.  We have pocket sized electronics to take our focus off the road.  Imagine if a speeding motorcycle was on the expressway and didn’t see the traffic slowing or stopping?

Talk with Herbert Law Group after a Wreck

Motorcycle speeding isn’t the only cause of a wreck, but it’s a major one.  If you’re riding while speeding, and you’re involved in a wreck due to another motorist’s negligence, all isn’t lost.  Even though you shouldn’t have been speeding, you might not be liable for the accident.

Let’s talk about what happened, what injuries you sustained, and determine if we can pursue compensation for the wreck.  Call our offices at 214-414-3808 and we’ll have a free conversation to get things started.

No time for a call right now?  Fill out the contact form, and we’ll reach out to you.