The freedom of the open road is a big draw to motorcycle riders. However, our legal team sees cases all the time where a rider is thrown from the bike and suffers serious injuries.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) tracks statistics of motorcycle accidents and revealed in a recent report that 82,000 motorcycle riders are injured every year in accidents and more than 4500 suffer fatal injuries. The GAO recommends riders protect themselves by taking the following steps to prevent serious injury when riding:

• Buy a helmet and wear it. How many times do you see riders with a helmet on the back of the bike instead of their head? Wearing a helmet each time you hop on your bike is the best protection against traumatic brain injury and it increases your chances of surviving a motorcycle accident.
• Take a lesson with a qualified instructor. Riding a motorcycle responsibly means knowing how to handle the bike. People often think they know how to ride and pass the endorsement test, but handling the bike in an accident is another matter.
• Stay visible. Motorcycles are difficult to see and often a motorist will say they never saw the bike before the impact. Wear clothing that is easily visible and make certain motorist can see you; stay out of the blind spot of vehicle drivers.  
• Cover as much skin as possible. Wear long pants, such as jeans or leather pants, and a long-sleeve jacket and gloves. Boots that cover your ankles are better than tennis shoes.

Our attorneys know that motorcyclists ride with very little to protect them from serious injury, and that safe riding practices can help them avoid serious injury in the event of an accident.

The legal team at Marks and Lear PLC is committed to helping clients get the compensation they deserve after a motorcycle accident and offer free consultations.