All motor vehicle drivers have a duty of care to other public road users that requires them to operate their vehicles safely and lawfully. If someone violates that duty and collides with you while you are riding your motorcycle, they may be liable for any harm the accident causes you. This could include medical bills, motorcycle repair costs, and physical pain and suffering.
However, there are several precautions you can take as a rider to minimize your chances of sustaining serious injuries in the event of a preventable collision. Wearing proper protective gear and staying visible are just a few safety measures that can make a significant difference. As any experienced motorcycle wreck attorney will tell you, preventing a collision is always preferable to seeking civil compensation in the aftermath of one. Here, KGS Law PLLC recommends some safety measures to prevent motorcycle accidents in Houston.
Check Your Motorcycle Carefully Before Every Ride
Motorcycle accidents are not always the result of someone else’s negligent driving. They can sometimes happen due to a mechanical malfunction in one of the vehicles involved. Checking your motorcycle to ensure its throttle, brakes, tires, and other vital components are all in good working order before a ride is an important safety measure to take to prevent a collision in Houston.
Wear Appropriate Riding Gear
Another important preventative measure you can take to avoid a motorcycle accident in Houston is to wear appropriate riding gear. This applies to more than just your helmet. While a properly sized and secured safety helmet reduces your risk of suffering serious head injuries, it cannot prevent a crash from happening. However, wearing garments that fit close to the body and closed-toed shoes reduces the risk of clothing becoming snagged inside your motorcycle’s moving parts.
Maximize Visibility to Other Drivers
Ensuring that other drivers can see you is another vital precaution you can take to prevent a bike crash in Houston. In addition to wearing bright-colored clothing and using reflector strips where possible, you should also try to avoid riding during bad weather, at night, and inside other drivers’ blind spots.
Follow Traffic and State Laws While Riding
Finally, it is worth emphasizing that motorcyclists are as responsible for their actions and upholding the duty of care as other motor vehicle drivers. Among other things, this means you should:
- Stay at or under posted speed limits
- Always obey all traffic laws and signals
- Yield the right-of-way when appropriate
- Never ride while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Ensuring your and other Houston road users’ safety by obeying the law is crucial to preventing serious motorcycle accidents.
Contact Us To Learn What Precautions Can Help Avoid Houston Motorcycle Collisions
While being responsible and riding in accordance with the law can reduce the risk of a wreck occurring, it cannot eliminate it. Unfortunately, many motorcycle wrecks happen as a result of negligent drivers, and taking effective legal action against them for the harm they cause can be challenging, particularly if you try to do it alone.
At KGS Law PLLC, our dedicated attorneys are here to help you through every stage of your legal proceedings. To learn more about safety measures to prevent motorcycle accidents in Houston and how we could help you in the event of a collision, contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation.