Motorcycle Accidents: How to Avoid Them and Act in the Event of One

Here's another guest post about an interesting topic. Enjoy!

Motorcycle Accidents: How to Avoid Them and Act in the Event of One

How to Avoid a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents account for 11 percent of all road accidents, and more than half of all motorcycle accidents involve at least one other vehicle.  There are a number of reasons that motorcyclists become involved in accidents, but the most common reasons are:

·         Failure to negotiate a bend.

·         Lane splitting.

·         Other motorists not seeing the motorcyclist.

·         Excessive speeds.

·         Disobeying driving rules, such as traffic signs.

·         Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Interesting is that in two-vehicle fatal motorcycle accidents, a little more than 4 in 10 are the result of a vehicle turning left while a motorcycle attempts to go straight, pass, or overtake a vehicle.

Given this, there are ways to avoid an accident:

·         Follow all road laws.

o   Obey the posted speed limit.

o   Use your turn signals.

o   Do not lane split or ride in the shoulder.

·         Observe your surroundings.

o   Be aware of other vehicles around you.

o   Be sure that you are not in other vehicles’ blind spots.

o   Position yourself closer to the side of the road you are on.

o   Observe weather conditions that affect the roads.

o   Constantly check for potential hazards, such as debris in the roadway.

·         Read your bike’s owner’s manual.

·         Take a motorcycle safety course.

·         Regularly check your bike for needed maintenance.

·         Intersections are where many motorcycle accidents take place; slow down and be extra cautious when you approach one.

·         Keep a safe distance from the vehicles around you.

·         Be extra cautious during dusk and nighttime; this is when other motorists’ vision is least reliable.

What to Do In the Event of an Accident

Tips:

1.      Do not lay down your bike unless you must.  You will be safer on your bike than under it.  The metals and plastics on bikes will cause you to slide longer than the rubber on your tires will.

2.      Use both the front and back brakes, but only pump your front brakes if they lock.

3.      Try to relax if you fall; attempting to stop usually results in more injuries.

a.       Tucking and rolling may result in spinal injuries.

Post-Accident:

1.      Do not stand up until:

a.       You have completely stopped moving.

b.      You have checked yourself for serious injuries, like spinal or head injuries.

2.      If you are injured and capable, call 9-1-1.

3.      Do not leave the scene of the accident.

4.      If you seem to have only minor injuries, check others involved in the accident.

5.      If no one seems injured, you need to begin the post-accident process.

a.       If possible, take pictures of the scene before any vehicles are moved.

b.      Move your vehicle to a safe location.

c.       Exchange insurance and contact information with all of those involved in the accident.

d.      Stay calm.

e.       Take pictures off all damages to your motorcycle and other vehicles.

f.        File a vehicle accident report either at the scene with a police officer or after the accident at a police station.

g.       Regardless of whether or not you feel injured, go to a doctor for examination.  Adrenaline pulses through you during and after an accident and can prevent you from feeling injured; also, you cannot see internal injuries.

Gina Williams is a guest post and article writer bringing to us information on how to avoid a motorcycle accident, and what to do in the event of one.

Gina also writes about motorcycleaccident statistics