Straight Talk Law Blog: Preventing Motorcycle Accidents by Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer Jason Epstein

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There’s an old saying about riding a motorcycle – it’s not a matter of if you’re going to go down at some point while biking, it’s a matter of when.

In my new article, “Motorcycle Accident Facts,” I lay out some pretty brutal statistics about the dangers that bikers face every time they take to the road.

The good news, as I mentioned in the article, is that taking certain safety precautions minimizes those dangers and allows bikers to lower their risk of personal injury and wrongful death as a result of a motorcycle accident.

Interestingly enough, the biggest cause of motorcycle accidents is simply the fact that other motorists often fail to see a biker, because a motorcycle is just not as visible as a car. That means it falls on bikers to do everything possible to make themselves and their motorcycles as conspicuous as possible. A few ways to do that are:

• Keeping your headlight on day and night
• Using reflective strips and/or decals on your bike and your clothing
• Staying aware of potential blind spots for drivers of cars and trucks
• Flashing your brake light when you slow down or about to stop
• Using your horn immediately if you suspect a motorist doesn’t see you

Dressing for safety is another important way to protect yourself both from accidents and from personal injury and wrongful death in the event you are in a collision. Definitely consider wearing:

• A quality helmet and protection for your eyes
• Bright clothing and a light-colored helmet
• Leather or some other kind thick, protective outfit
• Long sleeves and pants, gloves and over-the-ankle boots

Finally, remember that getting formal training on riding motorcycles, as well as taking safety refresher courses periodically really improves your chances of avoiding a motorcycle accident.

If you’re new to motorcycles, make sure you have your riding techniques down before driving in heavy traffic, and be sure you know the best way to handle your bike in conditions such as high winds, wet roads, and uneven road surfaces.

For more free “Straight Talk Law” information, please visit my website at www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on personal injury lawyers, Washington auto and motorcycle accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by myself and my law practice in Seattle, Washington.