If you are one of millions of people in America, it is very possible that you are someone who loves to ride their motorcycle. While no one should want to stop you from your beloved pastime, there are some truths you need to be aware of every time that you go out on the road. While it may seem obvious that no one ever wants to get into any sort of an automobile accident when they are driving, motorcyclists are statistically more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal accident than other motorists. It is with that in mind that you should know these five important tips on how to avoid motorcycle accidents.

1. Wear Your Helmet While Driving a Motorcycle in New Jersey

Whether you have been driving a motorcycle before the laws were put in place, or you just do not think it looks or feels “cool” to have one on, wearing a helmet is your best chance of avoiding serious head injuries and even death if you are involved in an accident. As of now, only 19 states have a law in place requiring riders to wear a helmet. However, requirement or not, the statistics show that wearing a helmet significantly increases your chances of surviving any accident that may happen when you are riding your bike.

2. Wear Protective Clothing While Riding a Motorcycle in NJ

While wearing your helmet is the most obvious way to try and protect yourself from injury when riding a motorcycle, wearing the proper protective riding clothing is a huge help as well. Abrasion-resistant material such as Kevlar or leather is perfect for covering your arms and legs with long sleeve shirts and pants made with those materials. It is also highly encouraged to get clothing that either glows in the dark or that is brightly colored to make you more visible at night. Your face should also be protected with either sunglasses or a full face shield in order to stop any dust or flying objects you are likely to encounter while riding your motorcycle.

3. Do Not Engage in “Lane Splitting”

It would seem like an advantage to be able to drive your smaller motorcycle in between other vehicles, especially when traffic is stopped or moving slowly. However, “lane splitting,” as it is called, can be extremely dangerous and in some instances is even considered illegal. Your best bet is to always drive your motorcycle as you would a regular car, and do not share lanes – especially at high speeds. Depending on your skill level, there may be times when this can be done safely, but that will always be up to the individual rider.

4. Know Your Skill Level When It Comes to Riding Your Motorcycle

It is important to know just how skilled a motorcyclist you are and to be honest about your actual driving abilities. Whether you take classes to improve, or you learn by knowing your limits and pushing them as you become more confident, being familiar with your skill level and knowing what maneuvers you can and cannot pull off is a great way to avoid certain situations or even accidents before they occur.

5. Check the Maintenance of Your Motorcycle Before Hitting the Road in NJ

You can have all the training in the world, but if you do not keep up with the maintenance of your motorcycle, such as changing the oil and making sure the tires are filled correctly and driveable, you can easily be involved in an accident just based on the performance of your vehicle. Things like checking your brakes and making sure all of the headlights and turn signals work are even more important to do when owning a motorcycle, so always be aware of the condition of your bike before you ride off on it.

Contact an Experienced New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now

Motorcycle accident attorney Andrew Prince has a strong history of representing injured motorcyclists for over 25 years throughout New Jersey, including Edison, Woodbridge, Newark, East Orange, Elizabeth, Union, Jersey City, and Union City, NJ.  So, if you need a qualified attorney to fight for you in your NJ motorcycle accident case,  contact the Law Office of Andrew Prince today for an initial consultation.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.