If you ride a motorcycle, you are likely aware of some of the risks that you face. Drivers can make mistakes that lead to severe injuries, and you face a greater risk than they do because a motorcycle offers relatively little protection.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to improve your own safety when you ride. Here are five tips to keep in mind.
Wear protective gear
First off, be sure that you always wear a properly rated helmet and other types of protective gear, like a motorcycle riding suit. These may not prevent an accident, but they can drastically reduce the severity of your injuries if you get hit.
Stay out of blind spots
Many motorcycle accidents happen when drivers don’t see motorcycles. If you can avoid lingering in a car’s blind spot, you keep yourself safe. Be especially wary of semitrucks, which have large blind spots.
Watch for left turns
One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents is when the driver turns left in front of a motorcyclist. Always keep a close eye on any vehicles that are waiting to turn.
Make yourself visible
Ride with the headlight on during the day. Consider getting a helmet painted in high-visibility green, rather than black.
Be a defensive rider
More than anything else, focus on defensive riding. Anticipate the mistakes other drivers are going to make, and do what you can to distance yourself in advance.
Unfortunately, even these tips can’t guarantee that you won’t be injured in an accident that a motorcyclist causes. If you are, take the time to look into all of your legal options to seek compensation.