How Can I Be More Visible to Other Drivers While Riding My Motorcycle?
One common cause of motorcycle accidents is that motorcycles are often difficult for other motorists to see. All motorists should be aware that motorcycles may be sharing the road with them, and they should pay attention to their surroundings so that they will see any motorcycles that are nearby. There are also things that motorcycle riders can do to increase how visible they are to the other motorists with whom they share the road.
The way that you ride can affect your visibility. For example, tapping your brakes reminds drivers behind you that you are there, and can come in very handy if you see that they are distracted or you feel that they are not giving you enough room. Making passes quickly and making an effort to stay out of blind spots is another way to ride in such a way that you are sure to be seen by the motorists around you.
The color of your motorcycle can make a difference in whether other drivers are able to see that you are riding your motorcycle near them. Black and other dark colored motorcycles are the most difficult to see. Brightly colored motorcycles are much easier to see, and can help to make other motorists aware of where you are on the road. Regardless of the color of your bike, you can increase your visibility by adding a brightly colored jacket, helmet, or both. Putting reflective tape on backpacks, saddlebags, rims, and clothing is another way that you can stand out in traffic.
Accessories on your motorcycle can also help you to increase your visibility. Using your headlight during both day and night can make it easier for other drivers to see you. A headlight modulator is a useful device which makes your headlight flash rapidly, like a strobe light, making it even easier to see. Auxiliary lights can be added to both the front and rear of your motorcycle. Adding these lights can help other drivers to see you, and to more accurately predict your speed and distance from them. Your horn is a great way to grab a driver’s attention if they get too close, if you think that they may be distracted, or if you think that they are simply unaware that you are there. Loud pipes and a strategically timed engine rev or two are not only fun, they create additional awareness of your presence on the road.
Even when you do your best to make yourself and your motorcycle visible to the other drivers and riders on the road, accidents can happen. If you or someone that you love has been injured or has died as the result of a motorcycle accident, it is important that you consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Each skilled Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer at Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC are here to assist you every step of the way. Our attorneys will carefully evaluate your case, answer all of your questions, and sit down with you to determine the best way for you to proceed. Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries, which can require lengthy periods of recovery. Sometimes, motorcycle accident victims must adapt to living with a permanent disability. Fatal motorcycle accidents cause a great deal of suffering for both the victims and their families. No two motorcycle accidents are the same, and we will give your case the individual attention that it deserves in order to obtain the best possible outcome. Please call our office, at (888) 470-9143 and make an appointment to discuss your case with us. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.