10 Common Motorcycle Accidents – Don’t Let this Happen to You

You have probably been told or heard a million times that riding motorcycles is very dangerous. The good thing is that most motorcycles are well equipped to prevent such nasty accidents with their grippy tires and strong brakes. The problem is most riders are not well equipped. When riding a motorcycle, unlike vehicles, you have to depend greatly on personal skill and quick decision making to evade nasty accidents such as:

If a car turns left in front of you, it is probably because the driver did not see you or misjudged your distance while turning at an intersection. The only way to avoid getting thrown off the road is to always be ready for evasive action.

Hitting a patch of sand, gravel or a slippery surface around a blind corner can be serious cause for panic. If you do not want to wipe out, you should slow down around corners so you have time to take action.

Tight corner is the Achilles’ heel of motorcycle rides. If you hit it too fast, you may not make it around. You can tell tight corners coming around using road signs or telephone poles. If it is too late, just ride it out and trust your tires to grip through a lean angle.

Getting into a car driver’s blind spot can cause an accident when they change lanes. You should expect most cars to start changing lanes when traffic slows down but always stay out of the blind spot.

Many motorcycle rides often get rear ended when slowing down at a light or intersection and these accidents can be fatal. You can avoid getting rear ended by moving to the side of the lane when slowing down or entering a safety zone in front of a car that has already stopped.

Avoid scooting through the gap between parked cars and stalled traffic, you could easily ram into a suddenly opened car door.

Good group riding etiquette can also help avoid many common motorcycle accidents. You need to know how to ride in staggered formation when on the road with your riding buddies. The staggered formation improves the line of vision of each rider and helps avoid collisions in case of a lapse.

The front brake alters the speed of a motorcycle much faster than the engine. You should learn how to stop the vehicle safely without grabbing a fistful of brakes and sending your motorcycle sprawling down the street.

If it is cold, snowing or raining, and the ground is wet or slippery, you are more likely to run into trouble while riding. Make sure your tires are in great condition, avoid riding when there is a heavy downpour or snow and if you absolutely have to, ride safe at a reasonable speed.

Finally, always keep a clear mind when riding. It takes a sixth sense to be able to safely ride a motorcycle, something you cannot have when intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.