Hazards Motorcycle Riders Should Avoid
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycles are a great way for people to experience the freedom of the open road. If you’ve ever tried it, you know the exhilaration that comes with riding. What is important to remember is that motorcycles present an increased amount of risk over driving in a car because there isn’t any protection between the rider and the open road. Bikers can experience disastrous consequences, such as head injuries if they don’t realize the common obstacles out there on the roadways. Here are some tips every motorcyclist should keep in mind.
Construction Zones are a Hazard
There is a significant amount of work being performed on infrastructure in the Sacramento area and this has caused construction zones to pop up everywhere. It is easy for motorcycle riders to get absorbed in the joy of the ride. They might get distracted and not see an approaching obstacle until too late. This could be anything from a construction worker to heavy equipment or even a lane that’s ending. The reflexive move is to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident but some brakes will actually lock up. When brakes lock up, drivers lose control of their vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled for those construction zones and if possible try to choose a motorcycle with anti-lock brakes.
Beware of Other Vehicles
People who have driven a motorcycle understand that heavy traffic can be frustrating. Those who are stuck in a car simply have to be patient; however, some motorcycle riders have heard about lane splitting. Experienced motorcycle riders might feel confident in their skills but this is a risky move, particularly if a callous driver gets upset and positions their car in the way. Motorcycle riders should use extreme caution when navigating along side other cars on the road, particularly in heavy traffic.
Do Not Venture Out in Bad Weather
Driving a car in bad weather is hard enough. The road becomes slick, the visibility drops, and the brakes don’t work as well. These hazards are even more difficult for motorcycle riders. The vehicle only has two wheels, there isn’t a windshield to clear the way, and the lack of cover automatically leads to increased distractions. Instead of trying to impress people by demonstrating skills in bad weather, it is better to be smart and avoid riding a motorcycle in bad weather. Instead, take a car out or wait for the weather to clear. Taking risks in bad weather can lead to critical injuries.
Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyer. If you or someone close to you has been in an accident, call me anytime at (916) 921-6400 for a free, friendly advice. Or, I can be reached toll free at (800) 404-5400 if calling outside of Sacramento.
I have been assisting members of the Sacramento community with their personal injury and wrongful death claims for 35 years.
Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is a group of top ranked US trial attorneys with verdicts and settlements in excess of 1 Million Dollars.
See my past verdicts and settlements here.
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I am the founder of www.autoaccident.com, Northern California’s top website for information on personal injury and automobile accidents.
:DR rtc