Summer is a great time to have fun on the open road, and it’s arguably the most enjoyable time of year for motorcyclists. Tragically, summer is also the time of year with the most motorcycle injuries and fatalities. If you plan on riding your motorcycle in Flint or anywhere in Michigan this summer, you need to be aware of critical safety guidelines for motorcyclists and tips for motorcyclist safety. You also need to know what to do if you’re involved in an accident.
Why Summers Are Especially Dangerous for Motorcyclists
The summer months are marked by vacations and an increase in drivers on the road. Most children and teenagers are out of school, meaning more traveling families.
Busier roads mean more potential dangers for motorcyclists and other drivers. Many motorists fail to anticipate when there’s a motorcyclist on the road, and motorcyclists are harder to spot than the average passenger vehicle. Drivers may not notice motorcyclists when merging or turning, leading to devastating accidents.
Unfortunately, many drivers, insurance companies, and police officers hold negative beliefs about motorcyclists, and they often blame motorcyclists for accidents when another driver was partially or wholly responsible. In the event that you need to prove another driver was at fault for your wreck, you need to contact a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer.
Common Injuries After a Flint Motorcycle Accident
Unlike most drivers on the road, motorcyclists aren’t equipped with much protection if they’re involved in a wreck. Car and truck drivers have the luxury of having their bodies protected by their vehicles’ exteriors, but motorcyclists are far more exposed if they’re in an accident, which can result in serious or fatal injuries. Some common injuries that occur after motorcycle accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Lower back injuries
- Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
- Closed head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Severe burns and scarring from road friction
- Internal bleeding
- Facial injuries, such as dental damage and scarring
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one suffered from any of these injuries, you may face expensive medical bills as well as permanent disabilities that keep you from working and enjoying life. If you suffer from an injury, you need to hold the responsible driver accountable for your property damage, medical bills, and lost wages
Staying Safe in Michigan This Summer
Although you cannot control the driving behaviors of others this summer, you can improve your protection by wearing the right protective gear. Many motorcyclists make the mistake of not wearing ample protection during the hot summer months. But failing to wear the appropriate attire is detrimental to motorcyclist safety and can contribute to a serious or fatal injury.
When driving this summer, make sure to wear the following:
- A helmet that’s approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Jacket
- Boots
- Gloves
- Pants
- Elbow pads
- Knee pads
- Eye protection
- Hearing protection
- Body armor
Even though it can be incredibly hot, it’s a good idea to wear leather protection while riding your motorcycle. If you slide on the road, leather will protect your skin far more than most clothing.
In addition to wearing the right protective attire, you also need to follow all traffic laws and operate your motorcycle as safely as possible. Lane splitting, speeding, and changing lanes recklessly make it far harder for others to spot you on the road, and liability for an accident may fall on you if you take these dangerous maneuvers.
You should always be as alert as possible when driving. Never engage in a distraction, like using a cell phone, or drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You should also make sure to drive defensively and prepare for other motorists to make mistakes. By making safety their goal, good motorcyclists know how to ride cautiously around other drivers, and they avoid taking needless risks.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in Flint, you need to take immediate action to ensure your safety and accident claim. You need to take the following steps:
- If you or someone involved in the accident is injured, call 911.
- Even if no one is hurt, call the police.
- Wait for the police to arrive and answer their questions honestly.
- Don’t apologize or admit fault.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the others involved in the accident.
- If you’re able, collect evidence at the scene of the accident. You can take pictures and videos of the scene, and you can talk to witnesses. Always write down the witnesses’ contact information.
- See a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you don’t believe you have any injuries, you may have delayed onset injuries.
- Keep track of your medical bills and any additional expenses related to your wreck.
- Keep a journal documenting your daily pain levels and any limitations you may have because of your wreck.
- Never speak with the other party’s insurance company without legal representation.
- Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer
Call a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Although you aren’t required to have legal representation to file a motorcycle accident claim, a motorcycle accident attorney can greatly increase your likelihood of winning or settling your case. You may be able to recover compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and more.
For motorcycle accident experts in Flint and across Michigan, contact the lawyers at Lee Steinberg Law Firm. We’ll help you prove your claim and maximize the amount you’ll receive in damages. Call our office today at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or schedule a free case evaluation online here.
