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Motorcycles can be exhilarating to ride, but until you get a good deal of experience, it could help to have a few pointers so you can avoid accidents. Consumer Reports says that a motorcyclist is 30 times more likely to die in an accident than an occupant of a car.
With that in mind, here is some information on motorcycle safety: tips for the first-time rider. A California personal injury attorney can advocate for you if you got injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle collision.
Take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Course
A Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) riding course can teach you both basic and advanced maneuvers to ride your motorcycle with skill. No one wants the embarrassment of looking like a newbie on their beautiful motorcycle. Also, MSF courses teach you how to keep from wiping out and avoid getting hit by others.
There are over 2,500 MSF course locations all over the country. Besides the obvious safety benefits, completing an approved course can save you money on your insurance and let you skip parts of the motorcycle operator license process.
Protect Your Brain
You are far more likely to die from a head injury in a motorcycle crash without a helmet and three times more likely to suffer brain injuries without a helmet. Consumer Reports recommends a full-face helmet approved by the Department of Transportation. Today’s helmets are lighter in weight, more comfortable, and stronger than the headgear from years ago.
It’s the Outside That Matters
Anyone who has suffered a severe road rash can tell you that those are painful injuries. You can prevent abrasions and many other injuries by wearing the correct gear on every ride. A leather jacket, gloves, riding pants, and footwear that goes higher than your ankles can protect you from getting hit by debris, bugs, and a surprising variety of things that go flying through the air when you are on the highway.
Expect Poor Driving Skills of Others
Most of the time, the car driver is at fault in a collision between a motorcycle and a car. Since the motorcycle rider takes the brunt of these crashes, it is in your best interest to expect other people to drive badly. Anticipate how they might violate the rules of the road and fail to use common sense, including drivers who text while behind the wheel and do not look before changing lanes.
Today’s Motorcycles Have More Power Than Before
Just because you can afford it does not mean that you need to buy the biggest motorcycle on the lot. Today’s motorcycle engines are much faster than they were a decade or two ago. Getting a bike that does not fit you well is a recipe for a wipeout. When you get the right bike for you, you will have better control and be able to maneuver more naturally than with a bike that is too big.
Anti-lock Brakes Are Worth the Money
Anything that reduces your risk of being in a fatal crash by 37 percent is well worth the money. That is how many anti-lock brakes (ABS) improve the safety of motorcycles. Motorcycles are renowned for going into a skid when the brakes lock up, and antilock brakes can prevent that. Sometimes, motorcycle riders crash due to the negligence of someone else, no matter how careful the motorcyclist was. You can talk to a California personal injury attorney about going after compensation for your injuries. Contact our office today for a free consultation.