May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

In 2018, 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die in accidents than passenger car occupants.¹ Being the victim of a motorcycle accident comes with many challenges, so it helps to have a top Los Angeles personal injury lawyer by your side.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so we are providing insights on motorcycle injuries, including safety tips to help prevent accidents.

Most Common Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycle riders are susceptible to these types of injuries, even with a helmet and other protective gear:

• Head Injuries: Concussions are common, while bikers often suffer a cracked skull and brain damage from an accident. Traumatic brain injury may occur, even if there aren’t symptoms right away. It’s therefore critical to seek immediate medical treatment.
• Muscle Injuries: The force of impact or contact with the road and objects can cause muscle strains, sprains, and tears. Torn muscles often cannot be effectively repaired, causing permanent paralysis.
• Leg Injuries: Broken leg bones are not uncommon, including compound fractures. Scrapes and cuts may be numerous, while severe nerve damage and paralysis are possible with high-speed impacts.
• Arm Injuries: Can occur from impacts, but commonly result from a biker bracing themselves as they fall onto the road. Impacts and motions associated with motorcycle crashes can cause permanent harm in this manner.
• Road Rash: If traffic isn’t a danger enough, friction with pavement can lead to cuts, scrapes, and bruising that can cause enough irritation to trigger nerve damage, scarring, and infections.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

At The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, we understand the best ways to avoid motorcycle accidents and prevent serious injuries. These tips can help protect you:

• Always wear a helmet when riding: It must be DOT-compliant, meaning it is designed to withstand the force of a motorcycle accident.
• Wear protective gear: Including gloves and riding pants that protect your skin, knee and elbow protectors (and other padded clothing), and brightly colored clothes to improve visibility.
• Drive safely: Practice defensive driving, obey traffic laws, and ride within the speed limit, while positioning your bike where drivers can see you. And never ride impaired or allow yourself to be distracted.
• Use signals: In addition to turn signals, use your hands to communicate with drivers, especially when turning or changing lanes.
• Ride a properly sized bike: If it is too big or too heavy, you run the risk of losing control.

Safety Tips for Car and Truck Drivers

Drivers of other vehicles must be attentive to help keep motorcyclists safe. Cars and trucks are much bigger and heavier so can inflict much more damage.

• When driving, look several times before changing lanes, just in case a motorcycle may be in your blind spot.
• Keep more distance between you and a motorcycle (about three to four seconds) in case it makes a sudden maneuver.
• Drive with the speed of traffic so motorcyclists can travel at a more constant speed; this also helps prevent congestion.
• Allow the motorcycle the full width of the lane.
• Use your turn signals whenever changing lanes or merging with traffic.

In a Motorcycle Accident? Call Jacob

At The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, we have recovered millions of dollars for traffic accident victims. We continue to serve personal injury clients during this challenging time (visit our COVID-19 page for more information) and our motorcycle accident lawyer can help you win a maximum amount of recovery. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today at 888-952-2952.

Sources:

1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety