Reducing Motorcycle Accidents

Reducing Motorcycle Accidents – Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating. Driving through the beautiful redwoods or along the Northern California coast in the open air is one of the experiences that makes a place like Eureka so great. Additionally, using a motorcycle as your main form of transportation can reduce the money you spend on gas as well as your impact on the environment. However, because motorcycles are small and drivers are not protected like those in passenger vehicles, riding a motorcycle can also be very dangerous. Motorcycle riders should be aware of the dangers they face when they ride. Learning how to increase your safety while driving can mean avoiding serious and even fatal accident injuries.

Dealing With Road Bumps

Heavy trucks and other large vehicles sometimes push the asphalt around when driving, causing small bumps to form in the middle of traffic lanes. These can be especially dangerous for motorcycle riders and are liable to cause steering and suspension problems that can lead to severe accidents. Here are some safety tips regarding road bumps:

Keep your motorcycle on the wheel tracks instead of riding in the middle of a lane when you are driving on country roads with bumpy pavement.
Make sure that you don’t tailgate other vehicles because it may keep you from noticing a bump.
Ease up on your brakes directly before hitting a bump and decrease speed when you are approaching it. This will allow your suspension to better absorb the impact.
Shift the weight of your upper body over the front wheel so that it lifts less on the bump. At the same time, maintain a strong grip on the handlebars and keep your elbows pointing up and away.
Stop your motorcycle and take a photo of the bump. Send the picture to local authorities in order to register a complaint.

Dealing with Blind Spots

It’s very important for motorcyclists to be aware of the blind spots of vehicle drivers. The drivers of large vehicles often don’t expect motorcyclists and crowd them into otherwise avoidable collisions. Here are some tips for dealing with blind spots:

Keep a safety buffer around you. To do this, you should maintain distance both in front and behind you so that you and other vehicles have enough room to make emergency maneuvers.
Keep away from blind spots. Blind spots form in both A and C pillars from vehicles and motorcyclists should do their best to drive in them as little as possible. This means being aware of where these spots are while passing slower traffic.
When riding in a group, drive in a staggered formation and keep a safe distance from other motorcycles.
Be sure to use reflective clothing and high visibility tape to improve your conspicuity.
Tap your bike’s brakes when another vehicle enters your safety buffer zone. This will flash your rear lights and lets other drivers know you want more space.

Watch YouTube Video by Ed Smith, Eureka Motorcycle Accident Attorney – How Common are Motorcycle Accidents?

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Eureka Motorcycle Accident Attorney

I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka motorcycle accident attorney. If a motorcycle accident has affected you or your family, call me at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 to receive free, friendly advice. I’m also available online.

My firm has helped Eureka residents to claim fair wrongful death and personal injury compensation since 1982.

Information about how I’ve helped my clients is available on Verdicts and Settlements. To see what my valued clients have said about me, go to:

I’m in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a national forum of lawyers who have won over $1,000,000 for a client through a settlement or trial verdict.

My site, AutoAccident.com, is the top online source for car accident and personal injury information in Eureka and Northern California.

Reducing Motorcycle Accidents: AutoAccident.com

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Reducing Motorcycle Accidents