If you ride a motorcycle, it’s important to take precautions in order to avoid an accident. Take a look below at some of the key ways you can stay safe on your bike, so you can enjoy years of trouble-free riding! 

Wear Bright Colors

Motorcyclists should wear bright colors and have reflectors on their clothing and the bike itself, and remember to use your headlight always, whether it’s day or night.

Many motorcycle collisions and other incidents happen because other drivers don’t see you. If you are hit on a cycle by a car or truck, you could be seriously injured.

A personal injury attorney can often secure you a good settlement if the other driver was at fault, but it’s always best to avoid accidents by staying as visible as possible. 

Always Drive Defensively

All drivers should be alert and drive defensively, but it’s especially critical for motorcyclists. For example, one of the most common collisions between motorcycle and car occurs when the latter turns left in front of you while you’re riding straight.

It might be broad daylight and sunny weather, but some car drivers just don’t perceive the motorcycle. This could be due to many reasons: cell phone use, fatigue, or simply looking for traffic that’s the size of a car and failing to spot the motorcycle. 

Even if this type of crash is the other driver’s fault, you can do your part to avoid it by always paying attention when you’re riding. Be prepared for a car driver to do something unexpected because they don’t see you. Then you are more likely to avoid trouble that could entail a serious injury.

Never Forget Your Helmet

Government statistics overwhelmingly show that wearing an approved motorcycle helmet reduces severe head injuries dramatically, and that saves lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says for every 100 motorcyclists who die in a crash when they weren’t wearing a helmet, almost 40 of them would have survived if they had put one on. 

Wearing a helmet also dramatically reduces the number of non-fatal motorcycle head injuries. Verify that your helmet is in compliance with the Department of Transportation’s safety standards, and you should have one for your passenger if you take someone along for the ride.

Though some states don’t have motorcycle helmet laws on their books, you should always wear one to avoid serious injury or death.

Watch for Cars Changing Lanes

This goes under the heading of driving defensively. For example, you may be riding in light traffic when a car suddenly changes lanes into yours.

Remember, a motorcycle is small and might be hard to see; they often fit perfectly into those blind spots! Avoid this problem by being aware that you may be operating in a driver’s blind spot. If you can’t see the driver’s eyes and head in the mirror, he or she can’t see you. 

Don’t Split Lanes

Some states allow you to split lanes and share them with other vehicles. However, car drivers are watching for other cars, not motorcyclists. Drivers in vehicles might make a sudden lane change and not see you, and that would be bad news for you and your motorcycle. 

Watch Out For Fender Benders

When a car hits another car from behind, it may only be a minor fender bender. But a mere “fender bender” can be lethal for a motorcyclist.

You can avoid drivers hitting you from behind by pulling in front of a stopped car at a traffic light, if there is enough room. This means if the traffic behind doesn’t stop, they’ll hit the car behind you, not your motorcycle. 

If you are the first vehicle at a traffic light, it may be best to stop on the side of the road and let car traffic go around you. It’s hard to know when the driver of a car will choose not to stop, and hits you instead, so it’s best to avoid the problem altogether. 

These tips can help keep you safe on your motorcycle for years to come, so keep them in mind the next time you go riding.