Given that one out of every two motorcycle accidents involve another bike, it becomes imperative to follow certain safety precautions when you go out for a ride.
A second is all it takes for a catastrophic accident to take place. That is why motorcycle riders should operate their vehicle with the utmost safety. There are many ways you can prevent an accident while riding a motorbike.
Tips to avoid bike accidents
- Maintain awareness of your surroundings :
Many motor vehicle accidents happen when vehicle operators, including motorcyclists, fail to pay attention to their surroundings. Regardless of riding experience, it is important to remember that you are dealing with a heavy vehicle that is capable of moving at high speeds and there are other people around you.
Ensure that you are always aware of the road and road conditions before attempting to speed up or overtake another vehicle.
- Wear a helmet :
When you are on your two-wheeler, a helmet acts as a protective savior. It is fundamental to be mindful of the importance of a helmet and wear it no matter how short your trip is. Who knows? You might happen to meet a friend on the road who you want to offer a lift to. Keep an additional helmet on the bike for just such an occasion.
Do not purchase a used helmet because it has a greater chance of being damaged and not protecting you properly. Purchase the latest motorcycle safety gear when purchasing a helmet.
- Keep all your senses open :
Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. This is how the human body receives sensory information. It is essential to keep all your senses open when riding a bike or any other vehicle. Maintain proper visibility. Keep your eyes on the road. Use your senses to determine whether it is safe to pass or overtake another vehicle.
Never underestimate the power of the vehicle’s horn. You should use it appropriately if and when the situation calls for it to protect your safety.
- Hone your riding skills :
If you want to become a skillful rider, you need to hone your riding skills through regular practice in a safe environment. Besides learning the basics of riding, you should also stress the crucial aspects of safe driving, such as practicing defensive driving. You should enhance your skills to overcome any accidents with minor injuries.
You should have the capabilities to stay alert and act wisely in an emergency, especially in a motorcycle accident. This will help you to safely stay on the road.
Handle road accidents using these steps:
- You should get yourself to safety by seeking medical help.
- Remain calm and composed.
- Consider reporting the accident to the local police. You should never leave the scene until the accident has been reported unless it is an emergency.
- Board an ambulance if you are injured. If not, you can wait for the police to arrive.
- If you have severe injuries due to the accident, you should consult a legal professional once you are medically stable. An attorney will evaluate your case to determine whether you can get compensation for your losses and expenses.
Let’s talk about injuries in motorcycle accidents
Many crashes are caused by somebody else’s negligence. Victims have the right to file an injury claim and seek compensation for physical and mental suffering.
The worst possible outcome of an accident is death. There are other dangerous consequences, like head or brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Several other injuries can make us suffer from lifelong issues with severe mental and physical medical conditions. You should be aware of the causes of brain injuries. Here are some types of accidents where brain and spinal cord injuries are possible:
- Car or motorbike accidents
- Slip and fall
- Construction site accidents
- Sports injuries from football, boxing, soccer, baseball, etc.
- Blasts from any accident
- Blow on the head with a hard object
These accidents can cause trauma. We can also suffer from non-traumatic brain injuries from the following accidents:
- Drowning
- Consumption of narcotic medications
- Encephalitis or similar meningitis infections
- Cold weather
Traumatic injuries:
- Concussion: A concussion can impair the brain’s functioning. You can lose consciousness or suffer from severe headaches. While it may not be severe, it is important to see a doctor to make sure you do not have a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
- Contusion: This is a higher level of concussion. When we have a bruise on the head or our brain starts to bleed, a contusion occurs. A hard blow of the head can cause a contusion. This condition is so severe that we might be in grave danger if we do not see a doctor quickly after the accident. A head injury lawyer can stand by your side in such cases.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): The axons are the brain’s long connective nerve fibers. This injury occurs when there is tearing of the brain’s axons caused by the brain shifting and rotating inside the skull. A DAI can cause coma and injury to several parts of the brain. Changes to the brain may be microscopic. A computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be necessary to properly diagnose the condition.
- Ischemia: This type of diffuse injury causes insufficient blood supply to different parts of the brain. You will need medical attention to treat the condition.
Non-traumatic injuries:
- Brain Tumor: This is one of the most severe non-traumatic brain injuries. A tumor can be either malignant or benign. Malignant cancer is more dangerous as it causes brain cancer. On the other hand, a benign tumor is less harmful. Tumors may or may not be caused by accidents, but we include it here for informational purposes in case it is relevant to your personal injury claim.
- Stroke: Strokes can happen due to shock caused by an accident or due to poor health. While several things can lead to a stroke, the after-effects can be more severe than the stroke itself. People can become paralyzed or impaired for life from a stroke.
- Hypoxic-Anoxic Brain Injury: The brain requires sufficient oxygen to function properly. A hypoxic-anoxic injury (HAI) occurs when oxygen to the brain is disrupted, preventing it from performing. Hypoxic refers to a partial lack of oxygen. Anoxic means a total lack of oxygen. The more the brain is deprived of oxygen, the more harm to the brain and the greater the consequences.
- Encephalitis: This is inflammation of the brain tissue, typically caused by an infection or an autoimmune response. Inflammation causes the brain to swell, which leads to headaches, a stiff neck, light sensitivity, confusion and seizures.
Contact the Right Authorities
You should contact the police or other authorities after an accident without delay. Most public institutions and businesses have specific policies that compel them to report the incident.
- Provide Necessary Details
A safety officer might ask you to fill out a report that discusses every necessary detail regarding the accident. The details are generally a short description of how the accident occurred, as well as the accident time and place. In addition, you should take pictures of the floors or stairway where you were injured.
Take clear photographs of any wounds and injured areas of the body so that you have substantial evidence of your injuries. It will be easier for you to sue the liable party and seek compensation for your damages with photographic evidence of your injuries.
- Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Contacting the authorities will help you get immediate medical care after you experience a mishap. You may not be able to move correctly if you suffered from a critical head or back injury due to the accident.
Therefore, making the authorities aware of the accident and your condition will help you receive emergency medical care from a physician as soon as possible. You should communicate how the incident took place in detail to the medical professional so that it is properly documented.
Act Wisely and Seek Effective Legal Representation
To sue the at-fault party whose negligence caused your injuries, contact a legal professional. You are entitled to recover the amount you spent on medical treatment for your injuries. You should not be forced into financial hardship due to the carelessness of others. File a claim immediately after the mishap.
The steps mentioned above are important to properly sue the party responsible for your health conditions and obtain fair compensation.
If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident, or other personal injury, caused by someone’s negligence, you can obtain legal assistance from a reputable Auto Accident Lawyer who will fight to get you the compensation that you are owed. A lawyer will improve your odds of a successful claim. Contact us today.