HOW TO AVOID A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT THIS WINTER
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the amount of winter motorcycle accidents has tripled since the year 2000. In these cold months, it’s important to remember how your physical discomfort affects your ability to ride. A rider who is shivering and worrying about keeping warm may be distracted and could get themselves into serious danger. Don’t try to tough it out. If it’s too cold for a walk, it’s definitely too cold to go riding.
Many sources recommend that you don’t ride at all during winter, unless it’s an emergency. It may be hard because you love to ride, but safety is always the best policy. If you must ride, use common sense. Drive slower, don’t share lanes, and keep plenty of distance with whoever is in front of you.
Taking personal responsibility is the first step toward staying safe on the road. However, there may be elements you can’t control that could cause an accident or an injury on your bike. When you’ve done your due diligence, and an outside force causes a wreck or an injury, there are entities that need to be held liable for their negligence.
CHECK YOUR BIKE
Upkeep and inspection of your ride should always be a part of your regular routine, regardless of the time of year. If you choose to use your motorcycle during the winter, pay attention to your tires. Make sure they’re well inflated and the tread is good. You can even put chains on them with a little DIY skill.
Check your antifreeze. Make sure it’s ready for use and that it’s doing the job of keeping your engine from locking up.
If your equipment breaks down, look into the manufacturer. See if there have been reports of complaints on their items. Faulty tires and shoddy fluids can cause big problems, especially out on the road. Call a lawyer if you believe an accident or an injury was the result of faulty products.
CHECK YOUR GEAR
Make sure your jacket and your boots are intact and warm. This is not the time for old, raggedy clothes. Your jeans look cool with holes in the knees, but they won’t feel great when you’re on the winter road. As always, inspect your helmet. Cracks, loose pieces, and improper fitting are not good, and it’s not worth taking a chance on them. It’ll be hard enough navigating your bike through the cold without your helmet sliding around, blocking your vision.
Manufacturers may be held responsible for faulty gear. If you were injured because a helmet or other protective pieces didn’t do their job, give us a call.
BEWARE OF ROAD CONDITIONS
Simple imperfections in the road are usually no big deal for car drivers. For motorcycle riders, the smallest items can be the biggest hazards. Potholes, cracks in the road, debris, etc. pose a risk to riders. During low-temperature seasons, these obstacles can be even more deadly. Snow and ice could cover up road damage, causing you to hit something you would otherwise be able to see. Cold weather can cause more damage to roads, too.
Roads are slick and slushy during this time, raising the danger levels. Your local government should be taking care of road conditions. If the city has been negligent in keeping the roads clear and sound for all vehicles, it’s possible to hold them responsible.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of others, call us at 918-492-7674 or contact us online. Reach out today to get started with a free, no-risk consultation.