The number of deadly accidents involving motorcycles in Kentucky escalates every year. The saddest part about that figure is that many of these deaths are preventable.
If you’re a new motorcycle rider, or if you’re interested in driving more safely and reducing your chance of being in a fatal crash, then there are a lot of steps you can take. Check out this list of preventable causes of motorcycle accidents to learn more.
Kentucky motorcycle laws prevent you from changing lanes and weaving recklessly. Although it is nice to be able to maneuver around cars that are stopped in traffic, it’s also not safe.
Whether the cars are completely stopped or moving at a slow pace, make sure that you take your time and wait for the lane of traffic to start moving. Don’t start making up your own rules.
Drinking and driving leads to hundreds of KY deaths every year. Before you get on the road, make sure that you are sober and ready to drive.
For a male that weighs 100 lbs, that means drinking between two to three drinks in a one hour period.
For many motorcycle riders, it’s tempting to consume alcohol and get on your bike. After all, there are a lot of revenue-generating cross-country rides that encourage participants to drink along the way.
But, make the decision that is best for you and your bike. The only thing worse than not waking up in the morning after a night out is waking up behind bars to find out you destroyed your Harley Davidson.
Lack of experience is one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents. That’s why most states require you to take courses and get a special license.
In the state of Kentucky, you have to be at least 16 years old in order to yet your motorcycle permit if you already have a driver’s license. Before you take your permit test, you will learn more about safety and best practices for riding a motorcycle.
But, learning shouldn’t stop there. You should also enroll in courses that give you practical lessons for riding your motorcycle after you have your permit.
One of the most common ways a motorcycle causes an accident is by stopping suddenly on the roadway.
In motorcycle vs. car accidents, it’s unlikely that your bike will escape damage if you’re hit from the rear side.
Sudden stops are even more dangerous if you’re not wearing a helmet. In Kentucky, only motorcycle riders who are under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet. Make sure you leave an excessive gap and monitor the drivers behind you to ensure they stop in time.
Motorcycles are as dangerous as you allow them to be. Before you head out on your bike, make sure you take the proper classes to learn how to ride safely.
You should also take precautions like wearing a helmet and a thick jacket to prevent road rash. In the unhappy event that you are in a motorcycle crash, make sure you seek treatment immediately. Many motorcycle crashes involve head injuries and you may not know that you have an internal issue until it’s too late.
Also, if you’re in a motorcycle accident, contact us as soon as possible. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help walk you through the claim process and ensure you get all of the compensation you’re entitled to.
