Motorcycles are not like cars. They have a slim profile; they’re not generally painted bright colors, they don’t come with seat belts and otherwise offer riders very little protection from others.
Thousands of motorcyclists lose their lives after being struck by a car driver each year. Many motorists report that their failure to see the motorcyclists resulted in their accident. There are steps that motorcyclists can take to increase their chances of being seen, though.
What is high-visibility clothing, and how might it keep motorcyclists safe?
High-visibility clothing can greatly reduce your chance of ending up in a collision.
Research shows there the likelihood of a motorcyclist having a crash decreases by 37% when they wear fluorescent or high-visibility clothing. Neon vests, bright colored shirts and decorative helmets can greatly increase the chances that drivers will notice a motorcyclist and thus not crash into them.
According to the Hurt Report published by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 75% of motorcycle accidents involve a passenger vehicle. The study found: “the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominant cause of motorcycle accidents.”
In addition to wearing high-visibility clothing, motorcyclists must use headlights, especially at night. You should adjust the riding gear you wear for the season. Some colors are more visible at different times of the year and in certain weather conditions.
What to do if a motorcycle accident leaves you injured
Some individuals are lucky enough to walk away without any lasting injuries if they have a motorcycle accident. Others end up suffering such debilitating ones that they cannot return to life as it was before their incident.
You may be eligible to recover compensation to help you foot the bill for your injuries depending on the circumstances surrounding your incident. You may want to familiarize yourself with your legal options to ensure that you preserve your rights to file a claim against the negligent party that caused your wreck.
