What Can I Do to Protect Myself from Motorcycle Injuries in Tennessee?

As a recreational biker or an enthusiast who spends every possible moment on the back of a bike, you know about the ongoing debate in the biking community about whether or not to wear a helmet and whether that decision should be left up to the individual or the state. The fact is that helmets save lives, preventing traumatic brain injury in many serious collisions. However, personal freedom does come into play in this debate and many states have decided that as long as the rider is old enough and has sufficient medical insurance to cover injuries then he or she may forego the helmet. Tennessee yet again is considering legislation about whether to join 31 other states that allow riders to take to the road without a helmet.

Regardless of what happens when motorcyclists have the choice to strap on a helmet or not going forward, there are things that a rider can do to decrease the risk of getting into an accident while enjoying the open road, including:

Perform proper maintenance on your bike – Oftentimes, avoiding an accident will come down to the ability to react fast enough to a dangerous situation and to have a bike that will respond to the evasive maneuvers. In addition, mechanical problems can lead to a serious accident, either directly through an accident caused by the equipment failure or indirectly from a collision that occurs while the motorcyclist in on the side of the road, working on the bike or waiting for a ride.
Wear appropriate clothing – While most bikers understand the importance of wearing leathers or other protective clothing that will minimize the negative effect of sliding on asphalt, there are those who eschew safety gear for comfort. This decision may have serious, long-term consequences. In addition to wearing proper outer wear, there are sophisticated reflective items that increase visibility on the road and can be added to an outfit with minimum effort.
Continue with rider education – No matter how long you have been riding, there are always new things to learn, as cliché as this may sound. Investing a little time in a motorcycle safety course may provide you with information that helps you avoid an accident.
Do not drink and ride – As with any type of driving, having a few beers and getting on a bike is a bad decision that could have negative consequences for you and others. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in fatal accidents involving a motorcycle and at least one other vehicle, the motorcyclists was two and a half times more likely to have been drinking than the other driver. Wait until after you are done for the day before enjoying that drink.
Motorcycle riders face a lot of risk while on the road, including lower visibility, susceptibility to negligent or aggressive drivers, the dangers of road debris, and few physical protections. When a biker does get into an accident, the likelihood of suffering from a serious injury is far higher than that faced by the driver of a vehicle in the same crash.

Motorcycle accident victims face a long road to recovery and may never reclaim all aspects of their previous life. Let the knowledgeable Tennessee motorcycle accident attorneys at Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC work to get you the compensation that you deserve while you recover from the harm that you suffered because of someone else’s negligence. Please call us at (888) 470-9143 to schedule a time when we can sit down and discuss the specifics of your accident and the best strategy to get you the damages award that you deserve.