Califonria Motorcycle Accident Attorney and Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable motorist on the road. A motorcyclist who is involved in a collision with a four wheeled motor vehicle such as a car, pickup truck, etc., it at a severe disadvantage.
Often times motorcycle accidents result in the death or disability of the motorcyclist. It is not hard to lose a limb, seriously damage internal organs, or to become paralyzed in a motorcycle crash if you are not careful.
Therefore unlike with other motor vehicles, bikers and motorcyclist must adhere to strict safety measures to prevent motorcycle accidents, and to ensure survival if they are in fact in a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle Safety Tip # 1: Wear a DOT Helmet
I know, I know, many in the biker community say “bullshit” I am not wearing a helmet, yada yada yada. Others wear toy novelty helmets in States where helmets are mandatory.
Research has clearly shown that serious brain injuries and death can be avoided by wearing a good helmet. A very common motorcycle accident scenario is that a rider is thrown off of the motorcycle, landing on, or hitting his or her head. For those wearing a good helmet, a serious head injury can be avoided by simply wearing a helmet. Hell you might have a severe headache if you land on your head in a motorcycle accident, but at least you are still alive!
Low impact head injuries can also be fatal. A recent case was reported when a stationary motorcyclist lost his balance in the driveway, his motorcycle fell over; he struck his head on the concrete driveway, and later died of his injuries a few days later. He died because he did not have a helmet on. The result was tragic and could have been easily averted by simply strapping on a helmet.
A helmet is certainly not an iron clad guarantee that an accident or serious injury won’t happen. However, wearing a motorcycle helmet will certainly improve the chances of survival in a motorcycle accident.
Tip 2: Wear Proper Protective Motorcycle Clothing
Motorcyclists should always wear the proper equipment while riding their motorcycles for protection. The goal is that you not only want a protective layer between you and the elements, but you also want to be clearly visible to other motorist.
Motorcycle accidents can be quite horrendous on the skin. Bikers and motorcyclist can be thrown off of their motorcycles and skid or slide along the pavement. Without protective clothing or footwear, your body can slide unprotected against pavement, concrete, stone, glass, and other dirt and debris on the road, which will literally peel off your flesh, or embed into your flesh. This can have disastrous consequences for you, and cause severe pain and suffering that could have easily have been avoided.
I will admit, in the old days I was not so smart. I would wear a t-shirt with a vest. Now, I am not willing to take a chance simply because I was too stubborn or egotistical to wear proper riding attire.
Tip 3: Stay Sober and Well Rested
Dahhhh. If you are too tired or shit faced drunk, and/or on other mind altering substances, your reflexes and ability to react while riding your motorcycle can be severely impaired.
Motorcyclist should avoid riding when very tired, and regularly take short breaks. Alcohol and Other Drugs can also seriously affect your ability to ride, and should be avoided when riding a motorcycle.
If you think drunk driving in a car is dangerous, drunk riding is at least ten times more dangerous for you on a motorcycle. At least in a car you have some protection. On a motorcycle, there are no second chances. You need to be on your game.
Stay off of the mind altering substances while riding a motorcycle, even one beer can impair you on a motorcycle. Also take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue.
Tip 4: Adhere to Traffic Laws
A significant number of motorcyclists involved in motorcycle accidents are riding without a proper motorcycle license or endorsement. Motorcyclists should ensure that they are properly licensed, and always up to date on their knowledge of local traffic laws. You should obey all traffic laws whenever possible.
Tip 5: Motorcycle Equipment Safety Check and Planning
Motorcyclists should inspect their motorcycles before each ride for loose screws or bolts, tire wear, etc. Motorcycle accidents often occur as a result of mechanical problems.
Plan ahead when riding in a group. Determine your route in advance and ensure that it agreed with the other riders. Review group hand signals, formations, etc.
Tip 6: Continuous Learning and Improvement
A large percentage of motorcyclists involved in motorcycle accidents have had no formal motorcycle rider training. Enrollment in a certified motorcycle training class is a good way to develop basic riding.
Once the basic techniques have been acquired, motorcyclists can improve accident-avoidance skills by taking an advanced motorcycle rider course or advanced program for motorcyclists that teaches defensive riding on your particular motorcycle.
Motorcyclists and bikers have the responsibility to protect themselves as much as possible.
By following these basic safety tips things can and will go a whole lot better for you if you ever go down!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident anywhere in the State of California, call the real California Biker Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1.
By California Biker Lawyer and California Motorcycle Accident Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, © 2010
A suspected dui-related motorcycle crash northeast of Bakersfield has killed one person on this Christmas 2009.
You can read many of the articles I have written on the Billy Lane case below or by typing in Billy Lane in the search box on the sidebar to the right.
The Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office Tuesday identified 52-year-old Scott Hudson as the motorcyclist killed in a fiery collision southwest of Morgan Hill, California on Monday afternoon.
DUBLIN – California
*** August 18, 2009 Update.
Chatsworth, California –
The San Bernardino Sun Reported that a Southern California Motorcycle Rider, Anthony “Taz” Williams was killed while riding his motorcycle to work in San Bernardino, when a 74 year old man named Gregory Martinez turned left in front of him. The 74 year old man claimed the sun was in his eyes as the excuse for his failure to ensure that there was no oncoming traffic before he made his turn. Mr. Martinez was allowed to leave the scene of the accident pending an investigation. The article stated that the San Bernardino Police stated that Mr. Williams could have avoided the accident had he used “perfect braking.” The article is no longer available online from what I can tell.
I have handled many motorcycle accidents that were caused solely by dangerous conditions on public roads and highways. Many bikers and motorcyclists don’t realize it, but when a dangerous condition on a public road causes a motorcycle accident, in many circumstances a public entity might be responsible not only for the accident, but for your damages that result therefrom.
First off, if you are overweight and a biker, I hope you do not take this article the wrong way. This article will discuss two things: (1) does being overweight affect your rights in a motorcycle accident case; and (2) does being overweight affect your ability to ride a motorcycle.
Well everyone who knows me personally, or reads the Biker Law Blog, knows or should know that I sometimes embrace controversial topics. I am sure this article will be one of them.
