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
Welcome, my name is 
Norm!!,
Great article. We can all use a reminder now and then. However, What are you doin’ bloggin’? Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon? Really, I didn’t expect to hear from you this Week.
Anyway, congrats to you and the wife! I hope the big event went off without a hitch and wish the very best for you both! ! ! later dude
Great reminders – I’m guessing that your in the SoCal area like I am, so wearing the right gear in the 110+ temps we have out here can be a challenge. Dehydrate or leather up? Everyone has to ride to their own comfort level, I guess. Something I like to tell people is that you’ve never been riding so long that an advanced riders course is a bad idea. These are offered by most Harley dealers and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and can be easily located on the web.
Norm another great article. It is a good reminder to all…..even us “seasoned” riders!! Thanks.
For your information, here is a link to a newspapers article in refence to the shooting. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100123_11_A13_Roadra901484
Ride Safe!
Hey Norm! Just rolled across your site. Great blog for the biker community. While reading your “Safety Tips” blog it made me think of an incident that occurred here in Tulsa several weeks ago. A biker was riding to his local watering hole and while on the way, a truck with 2 rowdy individuals pulled along side of the biker antagonising him and accusing him of not being a real biker. Road rage ensued. The biker upon getting to his destination, got off his bike and was immediately confronted with the 2 individuals from the truck. Words were exchanged and a brawl ensued. The biker, who was licensed to carry a concealed firearm, somehow made it back to his bike during the altercation to retrieve a firearm, killing one of the individuals from the truck. It will be interesting to see if the biker is charged. I guess he was a real biker. As it stands now all thoughts are leaning in the direction of self-defense. Just goes to show that at least in Oklahoma another item should be added to your safety tips list. A 38-snubby.
Another thing that I am always thinking about when riding is making sure that I am positioned where I can be seen. Especially when driving on interstates with a lot of larger trucks, it’s important to make sure that other riders know you’re there.
Great post!
Thanks Walt. We are going to do the honeymoon in about a month or two. My new wife is in law school and cannot take the time right now. Heck I have two trials about to start up and am flying up north tomorrow for expert depositions.
The wedding was picture perfect. She was an awesome bride and I am not just saying that. The pictures will tell the tell. It will take about 2-3 weeks to get them back from the photographer. Then I will write another article about it.
Take care for now,
Norm
Don’t get me started on the CCW issue. I am totally for the right to bear arms, and laws which allow for law abiding individuals that have CCW’s. Here in Los Angeles County it is virtually impossible to get a CCW.
Let me tell you, if the guy was able to make it back to his bike, it could be argued that he could have escaped, and he lost his right to self defense at that point. Who knows. Unfortunately for the biker, he now has to fight for his life in front of a jury. Maybe the biker could have avoided the confrontation by riding to a police station, who knows.
The issue for me as an attorney is not about being a pussy, but doing the smart thing so you can go home at night and live another day.
Search for road rage on here. I have written articles on this exact subject on here. I have been the victim of road rage on my motorcycle.
Norm
Yeah I started to ride a bike once but after I fell off the first time I have never got back on 🙂