7 Tips For Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle

In Hamilton, as the nights get shorter and temperatures begin to cool, it’s more important than ever to remember basic safety to avoid a disastrous motorcycle accident. When you ride you’re significantly more exposed and at risk of serious injury if involved in an auto accident. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have on a motorcycle, if you’re struck by a careless driver the results can be traumatic and may include:

• Paralysis
• Brain Injury
• Spinal Injury
• Broken bones

That’s why it’s essential to revisit the fundamentals of riding and review safety measures to help you evade a devastating encounter with a motor vehicle. Seven tips for helping you stay safe on your motorcycle include:

• Do not speed: Keep a safe distance between yourself and other cars so you have enough time to brake or avoid a turning vehicle
• Visibility: Make sure you can be seen by staying out of a vehicle’s blind spots
• Signals: Always use your turn signals and know hand signals in case your lights fail
• Practice basic skills: Practice emergency braking, obstacle avoidance, and basic maneuvers in an empty parking lot to keep sharp
• Defensive riding: Always watch other drivers and never assume that they see you or will give you the right of way
• Avoid drugs and alcohol: Impaired riding increases the risk of an accident that could hurt yourself or others
• Wear protective gear: Wear protective clothing that will shield you from rain, wind, and protect you from injury. Helmets are required by Canadian law

Following these safety tips can help you avoid a collision with another vehicle. But accidents happen. If you or a loved one has been injured on a motorcycle by a careless driver, contact our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers at 905-522-9799. We proudly serve Hamilton, Brantford, Burlington, Stoney Creek, and Niagara Falls, Ontario.