Safety and Preventative Measures in St. Charles Motorcycle Accidents
Although motorcycles are a fun and efficient way to get around your local area, it could prove to be a dangerous activity if certain precautions are not followed. For example, motorcyclists should make sure they wear the right gear, such as a helmet, jacket, long pants, and motorcycle boots. In addition, motorcyclists should make sure to not stay in other driver’s blind spots for too long. Doing so could leave them open to an accident.
In the event of an accident, an attorney experienced in the safety and preventative measures in St. Charles motorcycle accidents could help you review the facts of your case and help you determine whether you may have a claim for compensation.
Importance of Having a Camera Attached to a Motorcycle
Years ago, GoPros and cameras used to be something that only extreme sports riders used. However, in recent years, cameras have been a very useful tool to help with the legal side of a person’s case. This is because cameras on an individual’s person, on the bike, or on their helmet help to tell the full story about what actually happens in a crash.
It is common for at fault drivers to lie at the scene and tell police officers that they were not at fault for the crash. In other circumstances, the driver was not paying attention, so they actually do not know what happened. A camera on their motorcycle can help save them from long drawn-out cases where the at-fault party is denying any liability for the crash.
How to Avoid an Emergency Road Hazard
When in an emergency situation, motorcyclists must think quickly to avoid colliding with other vehicles. It is important not to jerk the handlebars too quickly. Otherwise, they will force their bike into a skid. For bikes that are not equipped with analog brakes, they should make sure that they do not apply their brakes too quickly. Otherwise, this could cause their bike to slide or throw the driver and the passenger over the handlebars. They would also want to bring their bike to a slow stop when at all possible.
If it is necessary to do so, they should lay their bike down to avoid colliding with other stationary objects. However, this is a last resort, and should only be done when all other options have been exhausted.
How Can Knowledge of Safety Measures Prevent Motorcycle Accidents?
In most situations, motorcycle accidents can be prevented when both motorcyclists and the drivers of other vehicles adhere to all appropriate safety measures. When the laws are being followed, there is essentially no reason for a motorcycle crash to occur. For example, suppose a motorcyclist quickly exits onto an off ramp and subsequently collides with another driver who was not paying attention. Even if the other driver was at fault for the crash, had the client not abruptly exited the interstate, they would not have been involved in a crash at all. This is why it is important to follow on road safety measures at all times.
What are Some Common Misconceptions Regarding Motorcycle Safety?
There are several misconceptions people often have about motorcycle safety in St. Louis County, such as the idea that motorcyclists are always paying close attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, there are some motorcycle riders that choose to disregard their own safety and the safety of others, as do other drivers on the roadway. Any experienced motorcycle rider knows that most other vehicles do not see them coming as they are driving. The leading cause of motorcycle crashes involve other vehicles pulling out into oncoming traffic, causing a crash with a motorcyclist.
Another common misconception is that motorcyclists are required to wear helmets now. In 2020, a state law changed to allow motorcyclists over the age of 21 to go without wearing a helmet. Although motorcyclists are strongly advised to always wear a helmet, it is now their choice not to wear one in the state of Missouri.
Benefits of Wearing a Helmet
We highly recommend that motorcyclists wear helmets to help protect them and their loved ones from being injured. However, there are legal reasons for making sure motorcyclists wear a helmet. If they are in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, and if they were not wearing a helmet, a jury would be free to reduce the amount of damages because the victim chose not to wear a helmet. This means that even though another driver was entirely at fault, the victim may receive substantially less money for failing to wear their helmet. As a result, it is extremely important, both from a safety standpoint, but also from a legal standpoint, that they wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. This also applies to passengers on their vehicle, as the same rules apply to them.
Schedule a Consultation Today
In the event of an accident, riders should make sure to follow the safety and preventative measures in St. Charles motorcycle accidents. Not only would this protect them from injuries, it also protects their case in the event the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence. Call today to learn more.