Tips for New Motorcyclists from Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The thought of the open road is what appeals to many people who purchase motorcycles. Others find that motorcycles are an excellent form of inexpensive transportation. Whatever the reasons, purchasing a motorcycles is an exciting decision. If this is your first motorcycle, we congratulate you on your new purchase; however, as motorcycle accidents attorneys, we also would like to caution you to be careful as you enjoy your new motorcycle.

During 2013, roughly 88,000 people were injured in motorcycle crashes and another 4,668 motorcyclists lost their lives in motorcycle crashes. While many of those crashes were probably due to circumstances outside of the riders’ control, many crashes are due to driver inexperience. If this is your first motorcycle, our motorcycle accidents attorneys offer the following tips for safe motorcycle riding in California.

California Motorcycle Safety Tips

• Take a motorcycle rider training course. California requires all riders to take a training course if they are under the age of 21 at the time they apply for a motorcycle license. However, new riders of any age can benefit from taking this course. You will learn about riding your motorcycle but you will also learn important safety rules for motorcyclists.
• Obey all traffic laws. Speeding and reckless driving are two of the most common reasons for motorcycle crashes. Always obey all traffic laws when riding your motorcycle.
• Avoid distractions. As with operating a motor vehicle, your full attention and focus should be on the road ahead of you when riding your motorcycle. Avoid distractions so that you can watch for other motorists who may not be watching for you.
• Always wear your motorcycle helmet. Motorcyclists are at a higher risk for catastrophic injuries because the rider receives the full impact in a collision. Wearing a helmet helps protect you from serious brain damage in the event of a motorcycle crash.
• Never drink and ride. Never operate your motorcycle after drinking or taking drugs and never ride with anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Maintain your motorcycle. Proper maintenance is required to ensure your motorcycle is operating at peak performance. You are much safer riding a well-maintained motorcycle.

What Should I Do If I Am In A Motorcycle Accident?

Even if you take every precaution and have years of experience, you may still be involved in a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accidents attorneys understand how devastating a crash can be for the rider and his or her family. It is important that you take the proper steps after a motorcycle crash to protect your right to receive compensation for your injuries.

• Seek immediate medical attention. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you should be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after the motorcycle crash. You could be suffering internal injuries or you may have sustained a closed head injury that is not immediately apparent after the crash. It is always best to be checked out to avoid an injury from becoming more serious or life-threatening.
• Take pictures of the accident scene. If you are able to, take pictures of the accident scene or ask someone to take pictures for you.
• Get eyewitness information. If there are eyewitnesses to the motorcycle crash, try to get their names and contact information. They may not stay until the police arrive or they may not speak with the police.
• Do not discuss the accident with the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance company for the other driver may request a statement or ask for a medical release. It is in your best interest to wait until after you have consulted with our motorcycle accidents attorneys. You want to avoid doing anything that can harm your accident claim.
• Contact our motorcycle accidents attorneys. As soon as possible, contact our law officefor a free consultation. Our motorcycle accidents attorneys will go over the process of filing a claim to obtain compensation for your damages.