Motorcycle riders need to be extra careful on the road. Did you know that in 2015, there were 5,010 motorcycle riders killed in traffic accidents in the United States? That’s a staggering statistic.   

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But don’t let it scare you away from enjoying the wind in your hair and the freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle. 

Just follow these safety tips for new motorcycle riders, and you’ll be sure to stay safe on the road.

1. Get trained and licensed

Before you even think about hopping on a motorcycle, make sure you are properly trained and licensed. In many states, you need to take a formal motorcycle training course and pass a written exam and on-cycle skills test before you can get your license. 

2. Wear the right gear

One of the most important safety tips for new motorcycle riders is to always wear the proper gear, including a DOT-approved helmet, eye protection, protective clothing, and sturdy boots. 

3. Get familiar with your bike

Before you head out on the open road, get to know your motorcycle and how it works. Review the owner’s manual and become familiar with the controls. Practice starting up the engine, shifting gears, braking, and turning. 

4. Start out slow

Once you’ve got the hang of your motorcycle, take it easy at first and avoid busy streets or highways. Stick to quiet side roads where you can build up your confidence and skills before tackling busier areas. 

5. Be visible

Make sure you are highly visible to other drivers, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. Wear bright clothing, and equip your motorcycle with reflective tape and proper lighting. 

6. Use caution when passing

Use extreme caution when passing other vehicles, and always signal before you change lanes. Make sure you have plenty of space and time to complete the maneuver before returning to your lane. 

7. Watch for road hazards

Be on the lookout for common road hazards such as potholes, gravel, oil slicks, puddles, and debris. These can all cause a motorcycle to lose control, so avoid them if possible or proceed with caution if you must ride over them. 

8. Be aware of other drivers

One of the most important safety tips for motorcycle riders is to be aware of the other drivers around you and anticipate their actions. Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, so other drivers may not see you or may misjudge your speed or distance. Always give yourself enough space to react if another driver makes a mistake. 

9. Ride sober

Never drink alcohol or take drugs before riding a motorcycle. Not only is it illegal in many states, but it will impair your judgment, slow your reaction time, and make it more difficult to operate your bike safely. 

10. Take breaks on long trips

If you’re going on a long trip, take breaks every few hours to rest and stretch your legs. This will help you stay alert and focused on the road. 

5 Things you should never do on a motorcycle

Now that you know some basic safety tips for motorcycle riders, let’s take a look at five things you should never do on a motorcycle.

1. Don’t ride without a helmet

Never, ever ride without a helmet. It’s not only illegal in many states, but it’s also incredibly dangerous. A helmet is the best way to protect your head in the event of a crash, and it could save your life. 

2. Don’t ride without insurance

Another thing you should never do is ride without insurance. If you are involved in an accident, motorcycle insurance will help pay for damages, injuries, and other costs associated with the accident. 

3. Don’t speed

Speeding is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents, so it’s important to always obey the speed limit and never ride faster than you are comfortable with. 

4. Don’t tailgate

Tailgating, or following too closely behind another vehicle, is dangerous for any driver, but it can be especially hazardous for motorcycle riders. If the car in front of you suddenly stops, you could rear-end them or be thrown from your bike. 

5. Don’t lane split

Lane splitting, or riding between lanes of traffic, is illegal in most states and can be extremely dangerous. If a car suddenly changes lanes, you could be hit or pinned between the two vehicles. 

By following these safety tips and avoiding these dangerous behaviors, you can help keep yourself safe while riding a motorcycle. Remember, motorcycle accidents can happen even when riders are being careful, so always stay alert and ride defensively.

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#SanMarinoGP race. 
An excellent performance and spectacular finish marked Enea Bastianini’s race on home turf at Misano, which saw the standard bearer of Team Gresini MotoGP battling for the win up to the finish line with Pecco Bagnaia - his future teammate starting next season. 
 
It was not an easy race for Enea, however, especially at the beginning, but he managed it the perfect way before recovering the right feeling and pace in the final laps, when he fought hard on equal terms with the Ducati rider #63. Courtesy of today’s result, ‘Bestia’ goes from sixth back to fourth in the standings, with now 138 points under his belt.
 
It was an uphill encounter for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who after the coming together with Franco Morbidelli was still able to make it to the chequered flag, while gathering important data and fresh feedback ahead of the last leg of the season.

#SanMarinoGP qualifiyng: The mixed conditions of a late-summer Saturday have shuffled the cards for Enea Bastianini, who after comfortably making his way to Q2 at his home Grand Prix, he was able to confirm his top-form status aboard the Ducati #23 by securing a front-row start at the #SanMarinoGP. The Italian finished with the third-quickest time, even though he will line up second on the grid due to the penalty inflicted to Bagnaia – who was ahead of him in the qualifying classification. 
 
It was a Saturday of improvements for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who did his best both in FP3 and Q1 and finished 14^th his qualifying day. Tyre choice will be crucial for both riders ahead of tomorrow, with track conditions continuously evolving temperature-wise.

Hundreds of thousands in compensation after motorcyclist sustains brain injury 

Stewart* was riding his motorcycle at speed when a car emerged from a side road, directly into his path which caused a collision and Stewart to be thrown from his motorcycle.

He suffered a traumatic brain injury and multiple serious orthopaedic injuries including fractures to his spine, clavicle, ribs, wrist and hand and a complex degloving injury to the knee which required extensive multiple surgeries. He also developed urinary urgency and erectile problems.

As a result of the brain injury, Stewart suffered a change in personality, cognitive deficits and the loss of his professional career. His mobility was significantly restricted due to his orthopaedic injuries.

Liability, causation and quantum were all fiercely contested by the car driver’s insurers  such that Stewart’s previous solicitors, appointed by Stewart’s own insurers, advised him to accept an offer of £50,000 stating that this would be the best possible outcome that he could hope to achieve.

Stewart rejected that advice and sought representation from Potter Rees Dolan.

We argued that Stewart travelling at speed was not the primary cause of the collision and instead  the driver had failed to make the appropriate checks before emerging from the side road.

We were successful in reaching a compensation award of £200,000 for Stewart which was net of an agreed liability apportionment of 80/20% basis.

Mark Robinson, personal injury solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:

This is yet another timely reminder that in cases involving motorcyclists, it is especially important that a firm who specialises in such claims and in dealing with life changing injuries should be instructed. Fortunately, our client recognised this in time, and we were able to achieve a settlement that was commensurate with the significant injuries that he sustained.

* The name and identifying details of the client have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved

Article supplied from Potter Rees Dolan

In a complex case and at a liability only Trial on 1 February, His Honour Judge Sephton QC awarded James 25% of the full value of his claim

James* was riding his electronic bicycle on his way to work when he was hit by an oncoming vehicle whilst making a right hand turn across its lane.

Despite James wearing a high-vis jacket at the time, the driver of the vehicle (the Defendant) maintained that he was driving within the speed limit albeit close to it and had not seen James until he was immediately in front of his vehicle due to the dazzling effect of the low-lying sun which was directly in front of him. It was at this time that the Defendant maintained that he had applied his brakes to avoid the collision.

Liability was therefore strongly contested throughout without any kind of offer being made prior to the Trial.

After hearing the evidence of both parties, the Judge held that the risk posed by the dazzling sun was clear and obvious and that the Defendant should have reduced his speed or even stopped altogether as advised in the Highway Code.

In addition, with the assistance of experts instructed on James’s behalf, the Judge accepted that the Defendant had not seen James and had not applied the vehicle’s brakes himself. The vehicle’s automatic braking system had been activated once James had been identified by the system as a hazard in the road.  

As a result of the accident, James sustained a severe traumatic brain injury with multiple serious orthopeadic injuries which required surgery.

The amount of compensation will be assessed by the Court at a later date. 

Mark Robinson, personal injury solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:

I am delighted by the outcome in this hard fought and technical case that was strongly disputed for several years. As in most cases involving cyclists and motorcyclists, expert evidence in many areas is key to prove that the driver is at fault by not reacting to the driving conditions and taking those steps within his control such as braking to avoid the collision.

* The names and identifying details of the client have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

Article supplied by Potter Rees Dolan