How can you avoid getting into a motorcycle accident?

Motorcycle accidents can happen in a number of ways, but some are more common than others. If you know what some of these accidents are, you may be able to prevent them by being proactive while you ride.

For example, one of the most common motorcycle accidents is when a car pulls out in front of you. It’s not okay for a car’s driver to make this mistake, but understanding why it happens can help you slow down or avoid the accident if a situation like this does arise.

When a car pulls out, the driver may not have seen you. Motorcyclists can be difficult to see, especially if you fall in a motorist’s blind spot. Try to avoid being close to hedges, too close to vehicles traveling in front of you and remember to weave in your lane to make yourself more visible. Something else you can do is to make your motorcycle louder, which may better announce your presence.

It could be that the driver is just inattentive, or he or she could have thought you were traveling slower than you were. If you are approaching an intersection, make sure you look for signs that the driver hasn’t seen you, so you can try to prevent an accident, even though it would be their fault.

Other similar accidents could take place if a driver tries to pull into another lane that you’re already occupying. Avoid driving too close to the vehicle in another lane, since this could put you in the driver’s blind spot.

It’s a driver’s responsibility to make sure they don’t hit others. When you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation. In any case, avoiding the accident all together is best, so try the tips to prevent injury by dangerous drivers.

Source: Ride Apart, “10 Common Motorcycle Accidents,” accessed May. 14, 2015