Steps to Avoid Motorcycle Accidents

As the temperatures rise, more Kentuckians will be on their motorcycles. If you ride one, you have a much greater risk of severe or fatal injuries than someone in a vehicle. Here is some advice to help you avoid an accident, but if you have one, lessen the injuries you suffer. They may also help you get as much compensation as possible from an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party causing your accident.

Compensation claims for injuries caused by accidents are based on negligence law. Kentucky has comparative negligence laws. Even if you’re partially to blame for the accident you can recover compensation, but your share of the blame will reduce it. That compensation can also be reduced if you made mistakes that worsened your injuries.

Insurance companies love blaming accident victims for their injuries. If you avoid negligent acts that could lead to an accident and take steps to be as safe as possible, you will simplify your case and maximize your recovery. Not being the safest or smartest motorcyclist won’t necessarily prevent recovery, but you’ll face obstacles that need not be in your way.

Never Ride While Impaired

Riding while impaired increases your chances of an accident. That impairment can be caused by the following:

• Alcohol
• Drugs, legal or illegal
• Fatigue

You don’t need to be drunk, high, or falling asleep to be impaired. Just a single drink, one allergy pill, or missing a couple of hours of sleep may be enough (and they will be plenty if you have a combination of these issues). You risk being unable to perceive the dangers of your ride or respond to them effectively or quickly enough to keep you upright.

Always Wear a Helmet

Kentucky law requires you to use a helmet under limited circumstances. It’s mandatory if:

• You’re younger than 21
• Have an instruction permit
• Have your motorcycle license for less than a year

If you fall into these categories and get into an accident without a helmet and suffer a head injury, the insurance company will argue that you broke the law and ran the risk, and their insured shouldn’t take the blame. Whether that’s a valid argument depends on the facts of the situation, but at the very least, expect a cut in the recovery you may have received otherwise.

Even if you need not wear a helmet under Kentucky law, failing to do so will hurt your injury claim. Just because doing something is legal doesn’t make it a good idea. Using a helmet reduces the risk of suffering head injuries, including those that may kill you, according to a 2008 medical journal article.

The fact something solid like a helmet on your head will offer more protection if it hits another vehicle, the pavement, or another hard object than riding without one is not rocket science. It’s common sense.

Head injuries can cause catastrophic brain damage that can shorten or severely limit your life. It may be the bulk of your injury compensation claim, and if you rode without a helmet, you may end up with a fraction of an award you would’ve received otherwise.

Always Ride Defensively

You must be aware of your surroundings at all times. That includes vehicles in your lane, oncoming traffic, bicyclists, pedestrians, and road conditions. You need to plan evasive action to prevent an accident or at least reduce your injuries if one happens.

Issues you should be aware of include:

• Accidents involving vehicles turning into the path of motorcycles are common, so don’t assume a driver in the opposite lane approaching an intersection or driveway will stay there
• Be wary of potholes, frost heaves, or spilled oil on the road, which could cause you to lose control
• The faster you travel and the less light, the more difficult defensive driving becomes. You’ll have a harder time seeing possible threats and less time to react

Don’t let your guard down if you’re close to home. Many accidents happen when drivers near the end of their trip. They’re more relaxed in familiar territory and assume they’re safer than they are.

Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member is injured in a Kentucky motorcycle accident, we want to hear from you because we can help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Let us be your boots on the ground and guide you through the process.

If you want to speak with an experienced lawyer at our firm, contact our Louisville office to schedule a free initial consultation. Call us at 502-589-5600 or reach us online through our contact form.