If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you don’t need a motorcycle accident lawyer to tell you about the potential dangers. However, it’s always a good idea to refresh yourself with some advice on riding in the colder months.
Snow, ice, and freezing rain – not to mention an increased number of drunk or drowsy drivers – can all make riding a motorcycle in the winter much more dangerous than usual. While the Tolbert Beadle, LLC law firm is dedicated to fighting for those wrongfully hurt, we also like to give advice on avoiding injury in the first place.
In this blog entry, a motorcycle accident lawyer looks at the common causes of crashes in the winter and offers advice on avoiding them.
Track Weather Conditions
One of the most effective ways of tackling harsh winter weather when you travel is to know it’s coming. There are countless apps now that will let you track weather conditions in real time, not to mention give reasonably accurate forecasts when you plan your journey. If you are intending to ride longer distances or on busier roads, it is a good idea to know what kind of weather you should expect in advance and prepare accordingly.
Maintain Your Tires
The better condition your tires are in, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident. In icy or wet conditions, tires with good tread and pressure greatly increase the traction you get on the road, which is essential for handling. If you store your motorcycle in a garage, then exposure to cold weather might cause pressure changes in your tires.
Make sure to check them and air them up if needed before you set out, and check them along the way. If your treads are looking worn, you might want to replace your tires entirely. The cost of new tires for your motorcycle is a lot smaller considering how much safer it can make your journey.
Slow Down and Ride Smoothly
It should go without saying that you should slow down in icy or wet conditions, but any motorcycle accident lawyer will tell you that many people do not heed this advice. The faster you go, the harder it can be to maintain control. In slippery conditions this creates an often deadly hazard. Slow down to give yourself and other drivers more time to react. Remember that, as a motorcyclist, you are harder to spot for drivers in other vehicles.
Keep Yourself Warm
Most of the tips you see about riding safely in winter are to do with avoiding accidents, but you should also think about your own body. Riding a motorcycle leaves you much more exposed to the elements than driving a car or a truck, so you should layer up in cold weather. Wear extra layers under your biking gear and make sure your hands are covered.
If you are on a long journey, you should stop frequently to eat, drink, and warm yourself up before hitting the road again. Symptoms of hypothermia or exposure can hit you suddenly, so be mindful of your own body. If you end up severely sick from the cold, a motorcycle accident lawyer cannot help you.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been involved in an accident that you know was not your fault, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer at Tolbert Beadle, LLC today. Our experienced and professional accident attorneys and lawyers will help you clearly make your case and will fight your corner to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. In the meantime, remember the advice we’ve given you in this blog, and ride safe this holiday season.
