As the proud owner of a motorcycle in Hartford, CT, you might often crave long, scenic rides down the I-91 on your bike. While riding a motorcycle can be fun and exhilarating, it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the right precautions.
You are often sharing the road with many other vehicles, most of which are larger than your ride. There may be visibility issues present that make it hard for other drivers to see and avoid you. In any case, when an accident happens involving a motorcycle, the results are often far more severe than in a standard car.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a Hartford, CT, motorcycle accident, you should act fast. Call the team at Gould Injury Law at 888-WIN-FAST so you can get help as fast as possible to recover compensation for your injuries.
Keeping Yourself Safe Before You Ride
In the US, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in 2018. You may consider yourself a safe driver, able to avoid dangers on the road. But the truth of the matter is that accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. It is best to be prepared before an accident to keep yourself as safe as possible.
The first step in motorcycle safety starts long before you get on the road. First and foremost, you should never get on a motorcycle after consuming drugs or alcohol – it is far too dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 26 percent of all motorcyclists who died in 2018 were alcohol-impaired.
Certain outside conditions can increase the risk of riding your motorcycle too. For example, wet or icy roads can be slippery and reduce traction. Accidents can happen when you are unable to stop to avoid a crash or lose control of the bike on the road.
In addition to always driving sober and avoiding risky road and weather conditions, there are some other essential steps you should take before driving to make sure you are as safe as possible.
Choose the right equipment
Each year when the weather starts to turn for the better, thousands of motorcycle owners rush to get their first ride of the year as fast as possible. Understandably, when the humid summer months come in, it is not always ideal to be covered head to toe in the hot Connecticut sun.
Despite this, it is essential that all riders, experienced or not, wear appropriate equipment to protect themselves in the event of a crash:
- DOT-approved helmet: An appropriate helmet is your single most important safety equipment. The Department of Transportation sets certain standards a helmet must meet to be sold in the US, so be on the lookout for the DOT certification label. Full-face helmets offer the most protection possible for your head and could be the difference between life and death in an accident.
- Riding gloves: Any part of your body that isn’t covered during a ride is open to the elements. Not only do motorcycle gloves protect your hands from rocks or other items that can fly up during a drive, but they also allow you to have more grip on the throttle.
- Riding boots: Boots that are designed for motorcycle wear provide valuable protection to your ankles, which can take a beating in a crash. They can also offer you a better grip on the road to avoid slips and falls and reduce the chances of having a shoelace getting caught on the bike.
- Abrasion protection: Hitting the road at 50 mph can cause serious damage to your arms and legs. Road rash injuries can leave severe scarring. By choosing an appropriate, abrasion-resistant jacket and pants (or even a full-body suit), you can minimize the damage done to your limbs in an accident.
Regularly maintain your bike
Proper maintenance goes a long way to making sure your motorcycle is road-ready and safe for you to ride. Before mounting your bike, make sure certain mechanical and electrical parts are functioning well:
- Headlights and taillights
- Horn
- Brakes
- Clutch and throttle
- Tires
Finding and fixing a potential problem before you hit the road ensures that you don’t have any nasty surprises while in Hartford, CT, traffic.
During Your Ride
Now that you’re ready to hit the road, it is important to avoid getting lost in the fun and adventure without giving enough attention to safety.
Drive defensively
Defensive driving is a good practice for any driver. Keeping alert of any potential dangers or hazardous actions taken by other drivers can help you avoid an accident. This practice is even more important for motorcycle drivers, who can at times be hard to spot and more likely to be involved in a crash.
Driving defensively includes making sure to stay visible to other drivers, focusing on the road, and keeping a safe following distance behind other vehicles.
Respect the speed limits
It can be a lot easier to go over the speed limit when on a bike versus in a car, especially on a highway. Unfortunately, many fatalities and serious injuries have been the sad result when a motorcyclist failed to follow the posted speed limit or to drive slow enough for current road conditions.
These limits are chosen to keep everyone safe on the road. Driving at a high rate of speed lowers reaction time, making it more challenging to notice and react to potential dangers. Plus, speeding increases the effects of an impact, making serious injuries more likely.
Call the Hartford, CT Motorcycle Accident Attorneys After a Crash
The events following a motorcycle crash can be a blur. After the initial shock, questions start coming up about medical expenses, property damage, and who was at fault.
Motorcycle accidents can cause traumatic injuries that may affect your life for years. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or even a loss of a limb can result from an accident. Medical bills can start piling up, leaving you facing financial struggles in addition to your physical recovery.
After being involved in a motorcycle accident in Hartford, Connecticut, you need to take fast and decisive action. When you schedule a free consultation with the accident attorneys at Gould Injury Law, you can receive necessary legal advice and guidance faster, so you can know how to move forward faster after your crash.
Call 888-WIN-FAST to get the best start on your journey to recovery. “The Fast Firm” of Connecticut can help you get what you need with speed and diligence.
