Operating Your Motorcycle Safely and Avoiding Accidents This Winter

 Posted on December 05, 2018 in Motorcycle Accidents

While many recreational motorcyclists choose to lock up their bikes for the winter, those that rely on their motorcycle as their primary means of transportation continue to ride throughout the winter months. Riding your motorcycle during the winter requires extreme precision and care. Listed below are some simple tips that could help you avoid being injured in a motorcycle accident this winter:

• Wear Proper Equipment: While riding your motorcycle, it is important to wear the correct protective equipment. Warm clothing can protect against cold winter weather, and body armor can protect motorcyclists from further injury in the event of a collision. However, the most important piece of equipment you can wear is your helmet. Helmet use saves thousands of lives throughout the United States each year. If you choose to ride your motorcycle this winter, it is best to wear a helmet that offers full face protection, as well as clothing, boots, and gloves that cover any exposed skin. 
• Travel at Appropriate Speeds: As the weather gets colder, so do the tires on your motorcycle. Colder tires have limited ability to gain traction, leading to difficulty stopping and changing directions. The combination of icy roads and reduced tire traction can cause dangerous collisions. Due to these factors, traveling at excessive speeds can be increasingly dangerous during winter months.
• Avoid Reckless Riding: Riding your motorcycle can be a liberating activity, but during the winter months, you should exercise additional focus and care. Avoiding aggressive passing, tailgating, and other forms of reckless driving can help to ensure that you arrive safely to your destination this winter. 
• Know Your Limits: Motorcycle riding takes a great deal of skill in the best of conditions, and it becomes even more difficult during winter weather. Operating a motorcycle on snowy or icy roads requires extreme care, and the presence of other vehicles can increase the dangers motorcyclists face. If you are a novice motorcyclist or are unsure about your ability to control your bike in the winter, it may be wise to avoid riding in urban areas or lock your bike away until nicer weather returns. 

Contact a Lake County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Tragically, motorcycle accidents are incredibly common throughout the United States. In 2016 alone, over 5,000 Americans lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle collision, it is likely that the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver. At Salvi and Maher, L.L.C., our number one priority is ensuring that you and your family receive the compensation you deserve after being injured in a motor vehicle collision. To schedule a free consultation with a Waukegan personal injury attorney, call us today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources:

https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshmax/2016/01/27/how-to-ride-a-motorcycle-through-winter-5-tips/#1434f6c23f3b