According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,286 motorcyclists lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2016 alone. This represented a 5.1% increase in fatalities from the previous year.
In 2015, more than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes that ranged from serious drunk driving crashes to minor low-speed accidents. Unfortunately, even in minor accidents that occur at low speeds, motorcyclists can sustain serious injuries. Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have reinforced steel cages and airbags protecting their riders from harm—motorcyclists sustain the majority of the injuries. To learn more about Arkansas motorcycle safety tips, schedule a consultation with a seasoned motorcycle injury attorney.
To minimize the risk of getting into a serious accident and suffering injury, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. That’s why our Arkansas team at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton has compiled the top safety tips for motorcyclists, both before you start riding and while you’re out on the road.
Ensure that your motorcycle is in proper operating condition before riding it. This includes tuning and servicing it regularly and fully evaluating it at the start of every riding season. Motorcyclists in Arkansas should also perform a basic safety check before every single ride. This safety check should include the following:
When it comes to motorcycle safety pointers, wearing the right gear can change your life. Be sure you purchase bright and reflective clothing that can help you stand out on the road or in traffic. While black may look cool, it can make it even more difficult for drivers to notice bikers, increasing the chance of serious accidents. It may seem simple, but high visibility clothing and reflective tape can help save your life.
Before hitting the open road, be sure you’re dressed in the appropriate safety gear, including:
Even though Arkansas law doesn’t require adult riders to wear helmets, safety experts agree that all riders should wear a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet. Motorcycle helmets saved the lives of 1,870 motorcyclists in 2017 alone and they have been shown to reduce the risk of serious head injury by 69%.
Riders who wore full protection motorcycle jackets suffered fewer injuries during crashes and were closer to a full recovery six months later. That’s because motorcycle jackets protect your skin from road debris, burns, road rash, and lacerations.
Like motorcycle jackets, long pants should be worn when riding a motorcycle. Riders can suffer serious, disfiguring injuries due to road rash or burns when their skin isn’t protected during a crash.
Wearing close-toed shoes, such as motorcycle boots, can prevent devastating foot and lower leg injuries. Wearing comfortable but sturdy shoes while riding is necessary to protect your feet from the bike’s exhaust pipes, cold weather, road debris, and injury.
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For optimized safety, Arkansas motorcyclists should follow traffic rules, even if they seem mundane. Traffic laws are there to protect motorcyclists and others who share the road. Even if you’re in a hurry, follow the rules of the road in order to avoid serious and fatal accidents. Some of those rules include:
Defensive riding is another motorcycle safety strategy that allows the motorcyclist to remain in control while riding in Arkansas. Riding defensively means constantly observing, anticipating, and planning ahead. It means always being on the lookout for what other drivers might do so that you can stay one step ahead of them and avoid serious or even fatal injuries. Defensive riding focuses on three main areas:
When riding a motorcycle in Arkansas, the most important safety practice involves staying alert and focused. Motorcyclists have to be extra cautious on the road because they need to watch for other drivers as well as changes in weather conditions, debris, and road surfaces. A pothole on the road, for example, may be a mere nuisance to a car or truck driver, but for a motorcyclist, it can be deadly. However, there are certain things that can impair a driver’s alertness, such as:
Drunk driving is not only illegal, it can significantly impair a motorcyclist’s ability to remain alert and focused on the road. In the State of Arkansas, any driver operating a vehicle on the road with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater can be arrested and charged with DUI. In addition to risking a DUI on your driving record, driving under the influence of alcohol can be deadly. In 2016, motorcycle riders were found to have the highest percentage of alcohol-related fatalities when compared to other types of vehicle drivers. In fact, 37% of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were driving impaired at the time.
Motorcycle riding is exhilarating but also dangerous. Motorcycle riders need to ride within their comfort zones. If you’re not comfortable with something, don’t do it. Trust your gut and only ride on certain roads or under certain conditions when you’re ready. If corners or tight turns make you nervous, for example, respect that fear and reduce your speed. Going around corners or turns at a lower speed will give you more control and help you remain calm throughout.
One of the best ways to be comfortable and safe on your motorcycle while riding in Arkansas is to make sure that your bike is the right size and weight for you. When purchasing your first bike, visit numerous dealers to get a feel for different sizes and models. If it feels too big or too heavy, it probably is. You’ll want to choose a bike that is the right height, weight, and engine size for your body and your riding experience.
Motorcycle riding is more fun when you do it with friends. Hitting the open road with buddies or riding groups can be a great experience. However, a little riding etiquette goes a long way toward keeping yourself and your friends safe on the road.
Know that you are still in control of your ride, even when riding in a group. If the group is riding at a pace that is uncomfortable to you or if you feel unsafe, leave the group immediately. Signal the sweeper and pull safely out of the formation. You can either choose to meet up with the group at a later time or you may decide that this riding group isn’t a good fit for you. Remember, your safety comes first – always.
Riding in bad weather can be risky for motorcyclists. Whenever possible, motorcyclists in Arkansas should avoid riding in poor weather to stay as safe as possible. However, there are times when you may have no choice. Maybe a sudden rainstorm occurs while you’re already out on the open road or the wind picks up along a stretch of highway when you least expected it. When you’re forced to ride in bad weather, heighten your sense of awareness and follow these tips:
Sometimes, even when you take all the necessary safety precautions for motocycling in Arkansas, make all the necessary safety checks, and ride defensively and safely, accidents still occur. This is because the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers who simply fail to recognize the motorcyclist on the road. They may turn left into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist, open a car door into their lane, or change lanes into their path.
An experienced and compassionate motorcycle accident lawyer can help you obtain the money you need to put your life back together again. You are entitled to financial compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. This includes medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, bike repair costs, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may face a long, uphill battle trying to collect the money you need to recover. Insurance companies often have biases against motorcyclists, and many believe that bikers are reckless on the road. These biases can jeopardize your claim and make it more difficult to receive full compensation after an accident. At Rainwater, Holt, & Sexton, our motorcycle accident attorneys don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of our clients. We fight aggressively for your future and handle the insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. With offices throughout Arkansas – Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro – our personal injury lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.
To learn more about Arkansas motorcycle safety tips, schedule your consultation today.
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