Riding a motorcycle is a fun and extremely popular way to travel around Broward and Palm Beach counties. The sunny South Florida weather makes motorcycles a very attractive option for people looking to get out on the open road and have a good time.
But as much fun as it can be to ride a motorcycle, riders also must be highly aware of the many potential dangers on the road when riding a motorcycle. Because of the very nature of motorcycle travel, it can be a whole lot more dangerous riding around on your motorcycle than it is driving around in a car or an SUV. As a result, motorcycle safety is of the utmost importance for your health and well-being.
So, keep reading for a few helpful tips on how to avoid motorcycle accidents when traveling the busy roads in sunny South Florida.
1. Always wear a helmet
This first tip might not actually help you avoid a motorcycle accident, but it’s still the most important thing we can recommend. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, NO MATTER WHAT! NO EXCEPTIONS!
This can help minimize injuries after a crash and maybe even help you avoid a serious brain injury. Brain injuries, unfortunately, are very common for people involved in serious motorcycle collisions. A high-quality motorcycle helmet is your best bet for protecting your brain in case of a crash.
There’s also the issue of comparative negligence. If your case gets all the way to a jury trial and you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of your crash, the insurance company lawyer is going to argue to the jury that you are responsible for your injuries because you weren’t wearing a helmet. That basically means that if you are involved in a motorcycle accident and you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your crash, a jury may find you partially to blame for your injuries, even if you weren’t the cause of the crash.
2. When approaching intersections, slow down and look to your left and right
We can’t even begin to tell you how many clients we have represented who were involved in crashes at intersections. Be extra cautious when approaching intersections, even when you have the green light. Remember, a lot of people have difficulty seeing motorcyclists. Drivers are typically looking out for cars nearby, but sometimes they just completely miss the motorcycle right next to them.
Sometimes, a vehicle approaching an intersection from the opposite direction can have some difficulty fully seeing across the intersection because of obstructions in the area, such as overgrown plants or trees. When you see these types of obstructions next to the intersection, make sure to be especially cautious and prepared to slow down if you see any vehicle approaching from the opposite side. You don’t want them to start turning in the intersection and crash into you because their vision was obscured by a tree or anything else.
3. Make sure your equipment and brakes are in working order
The last thing you need is for something on your motorcycle to malfunction while you’re riding down the highway. Always make sure to get your brakes, gears, and other parts checked on a regular basis.
4. Wear thick, durable clothing if you can tolerate it
We aren’t suggesting that you wear multiple layers of clothing that are going to weigh you down and make riding your motorcycle more difficult. But in some instances, the thicker the clothing, the better when it comes to motorcycle safety. Similar to wearing a helmet, this might not necessarily help you avoid a crash. But it could help you minimize your injuries if you do get into a motorcycle accident, particularly if it’s a relatively minor accident. Of course, the weather in Florida does not always make this an easy thing to do. There are a whole bunch of days, especially in the summer, when thick clothing just simply is not an option. But if there’s any way you can wear some type of protective clothing, it might help you avoid getting road rash. This is not going to help you avoid the most serious injuries, but something is better than nothing.
5. Never ride next to a tractor-trailer or large truck
This one is simple. Avoid riding next to large trucks. Many times, drivers of large trucks will not see you in their mirrors, and they may start drifting into your lane because they don’t even know you are there. So, keep your distance from trucks and tractors.
What should you do in case of a motorcycle crash?
1. First and foremost, if you are injured, call 911 immediately.
If you are dazed and disoriented, there’s a good chance you have a head injury. If you think you have a head injury (or any other injury), do your best to call 911 or ask somebody to call 911 for you. You may be in need of immediate emergency medical treatment, particularly if you have a brain injury.
2. Get to a safe area as soon as possible.
Get off the road. Walk over to a median, a shoulder, or to another space at the side of the road. You don’t want to risk somebody crashing into you while you are standing around in the middle of the street.
3. Take photos of the scene.
Once you get to a safe area, and if you are feeling OK, then you should take photographs and videos of the scene of the accident and the vehicles involved. Make sure to capture footage of where the motorcycle came to rest, any skid marks, and any damage to the vehicles. Get photos, both close-up and from more of a distance, so you get enough detail and perspective. The more photos and videos, the better. It won’t cost you anything extra to just keep snapping photo after photo on your phone.
4. Get the names of any witnesses who might be helpful to you.
Ask the people in the area if they saw what happened. Make sure to get their full name and telephone number, and if you can, get their address, too.
The police officers arriving at the scene will ask you if you have any problems or issues, or if you are feeling any pain. If you are feeling any pain, tell them. There’s no reason to pretend you aren’t hurting if you really are in pain.
Call our office today for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Broward or Palm Beach, or anywhere else in Florida, call our office today at 954-833-1440 for a free consultation. For over 40 years, we have represented clients injured in motorcycle crashes all across Florida.