An Important Part of Motorcycle Safety

Thursday, August 2, 2012

An Important Part of Motorcycle Safety

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Even after training for and passing your test to receive your motorcycle license, the time to decrease your risk of getting into a motorcycle accident continues. The following are a few important pieces of equipment which act as motorcycle safety solutions:

A Helmet

The number one essential safety solution for motorcyclists is a helmet. While Illinois does not currently require motorcycle riders to wear protective motorcycle helmets, protecting your mind while enjoying a ride is highly advisable!

• When choosing the right helmet it is important to note that all adult-sized motorcycle helmets now sold in the U.S. require a sticker indicating DOT (Department of Transportation) compliance, which indicates that your helmet meets certain basic impact standards.
• If you do drop your helmet onto a hard surface, or if it receives a heavy blow, it may be time to buy a new one. Motorcycle helmets are designed to absorb the impact of a blow, but the helmet is really only designed to do that once. When in doubt, it is a good idea to get a new one.
• A full-face helmet is the optimal choice because it gives the most protection since it covers all of the head and face.

Eye Protection

Riding with bare eyeballs is a gamble. Your eyes are extremely important assets, and they also happen to be very delicate. Leaving the eye protection to the windshield on a motorcycle is not enough, as any bit of sand or tiny piece of glass or metal can whip in behind it and get in your eye.

• Proper eye protection requires an approved shield on your helmet, a pair of goggles, or shatterproof glasses.
• Make sure your eye protection is clean and unscratched.
• When using tinted lenses or a tinted shield for sun protection, make sure you have access to a clear lens as well, if you intend to ride after dark.

A Jacket

Another piece of equipment that can deter serious injury is a proper motorcycle jacket.

• When choosing a jacket, make sure to choose one made from sturdy materials: denim, nylon, corduroy, and leather.
• The hide of a cow, or any other commonly used leather, offers you the most  protection when it comes to abrasions.
• Zippered vents are a better option than riding without a jacket, as they are comfortable even in hot weather. They allow a breeze to flow through, but still provide protection in the event of an accident.

High Visibility Equipment

Finally, being seen on the road by other drivers and riders can greatly decrease the risk of an accident.

• Brightly colored clothing is preferable to dark or drab clothing, which may blend into vehicles, buildings, or the road, and makes it difficult to see you at night.
• Special vests designed to make it easier for others to see you are also a good option. In fact, some military bases feel strongly enough about this feature and require all motorcyclists to wear them.
• At night, clothing that reflects light is critical. Reflective strips for your helmet and the backs of your boots can greatly increase your visibility to other motorists.

Every motorcycle license comes with a responsibility to yourself and other motorists, which is why it is very important to remember these motorcycle safety solutions. Due to simple physics, motorcyclists are at more risk of catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, fractured wrists, and even death.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact Malman Law right now. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers will help you reclaim the costs for your injury, loss of wages, medical expenses, and other injuries caused due to a motorcycle accident.

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