Posted on Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 at 11:48 pm
Do you have a friend or family member who loves to ride a motorcycle? If so, you might worry about your loved one’s safety when he or she is on the road. Sadly, thousands of riders are injured and lose their lives in motorcycle crashes in the United States. During 2015, 4,976 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents, an eight percent increase from the prior year. California had the second highest number of motorcyclist fatalities in the nation during 2015. During that same year, roughly 88,000 riders were injured in crashes.
Even the safest motorcyclist cannot account or anticipate all hazards or dangers he or she might encounter while riding. For example, riders cannot control the actions of other motorists, like motorists who fail to yield the right of way or follow too closely. Likewise, riders cannot control the weather or the road conditions. Loose or cracked pavement and slick roads can cause the most experienced rider to lose control and crash.
Helping Motorcyclists Protect Themselves from Injuries
One thing a rider can do to reduce the severity of injuries is to wear protective gear each time he or she rides. It has been shown that wearing protective gear can reduce the risk of severe injuries and death in motorcycle accidents.
This holiday season, why don’t you purchase gifts for the motorcyclists in your life that can help protect them if they are ever in a motorcycle accident.
Some of the protective gear you might want to consider as Christmas gifts this year include:
- Motorcycle Helmets — Motorcycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of death and severe head trauma. According to the NHTSA, the use of motorcycle helmets saved 1,772 lives during 2015. Wearing helmets can save more lives and prevent injuries.
- Protective Clothing – There is a variety of different garments that can help protect a rider from injury during a crash. Leather coats and pants, high-quality boots, and gloves are a great start. You might also want to consider rain gear too.
- Face Protection — Do not forget that a rider needs to protect his eyes, ears, and face while riding. Specially designed glasses, face protectors, and ear protectors are available for motorcyclists. Consult with your local motorcycle shop for suggestions if you are unfamiliar with these items. You can also purchase a gift certificate to most shops so that your friend or family member can shop for motorcycle safety equipment after the holidays.
Encourage your loved ones to wear protective gear each time they ride their motorcycle. Remind them how much they mean to you and that you want them to be healthy so that they can be around for a very long time.
Contact a Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
Insurance companies like to blame the rider for the accident because some people assume all motorcyclists are reckless. Even though this is not true, the company will use whatever information it can to avoid paying a claim.
Before you speak with the insurance adjuster, contact our office for a free legal consultation with a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. You can reach The Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.
