PHILADELPHIA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER, JEFFREY REIFF, OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO REDUCE YOUR CHANCE OF INJURY OR DEATH WHILE OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE
Although many states define a motorcycle as a motor vehicle, motorcycles by their design offer many safety issues with the driver. Motorcycles offer very little protection to riders in the event of a crash or collision, often leading to severe injuries and fatalities. Many safety devices are available for purchase from motorcycle manufacturers or after market. It is important to consider such safety devices that (1) increase the visibility of motorcycles to other traffic such as activation of headlights; (2) installation of crash bars to help reduce lower leg injuries; and (3) the installation of ABS braking systems to enhance the motorcycle’s breaking performance in stopping situations. Most importantly is the knowledge that operating a motorcycle safely in traffic requires special skills and knowledge.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania maintains a motorcycle safety program which teaches the operator the basic skills necessary to operate a motorcycle. All Pennsylvania drivers should take advantage of the opportunity to read the motorcycle operator’s manual published by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as take the Pennsylvania motorcycle safety program. Additionally, while riding the motorcycle, one should wear proper protective clothing and head gear, ride within your limits, obey the law and “share the road” with other highway users. You should always wear a helmet designed to meet DOT and State standards. Helmets with a label from Snell Memorial Foundation gives you an added assurance of quality. Make sure that the helmet fits snugly all the way around and has no obvious defects such as cracks, loose padding or frayed straps. Whatever helmet you choose to wear, make sure it is securely fastened on your head when you ride.
Since 1979 the Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyers and the Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Reiff and Bily have represented many motorcyclists who have been seriously injured or killed in motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania and throughout the country.
It is important that the operator of a motorcycle maintain proper eye and face protection. A plastic shatter-resistant face shield can help protect your whole face in a crash. It also protects you from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and pebbles thrown up from the cars ahead. These problems are distracting and can be painful and if you have to deal with them, you cannot devote your full attention to the road. Although goggles protect your eyes, they will not protect the rest of your face like a face shield does. Your face shield or goggles should be free of scratches, be resistant to penetration, give a clear view to other side, be able to fasten securely and permit air to pass through to avoid fogging. There should also be enough room to permit the use of eyeglasses or sunglasses if necessary.
The right clothing while operating a motorcycle provides comfort as clothes protect you from heat, cold, debris, as well as the hot moving parts of the motorcycle and should make you more visible to others. Jacket and pants should cover your arms and legs completely. They should fit snugly enough to keep from flapping in the wind, yet loosely enough to move freely. Leather offers the most protection, however, sturdy synthetic material such as Kevlar provides as much protection. The operator should wear boots or shoes high enough to cover your ankles and give you support. Soles should be made of hard, durable slip-resistant material. Keep the heels short so that they do not catch on rough surfaces and tuck your laces in so that they do not catch on the motorcycle. Gloves should be worn by the operator to give a better grip and help protect your hands in a crash. Gloves should be made of leather or other similar durable material.
It is important that the operator have complete knowledge of the motorcycle. The motorcycle driver should be completely familiar with the owner’s manual and start with the right motorcycle for him or her. The motorcycle should be checked every time before every ride to make sure it is free from defects such as cracks in the tires or other defects which could pose as a safety hazard.
In purchasing a motorcycle, you should make sure the motorcycle fits you. Your feet should reach the ground when you are seated on the motorcycle and the controls should be easy to operate. Smaller motorcycles are generally easier for beginners to operate. A safety check for the motorcycle is as follows. Obviously a motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car. A minor technical failure in car seldom leads to anything more than an inconvenience. However, if something is wrong with a motorcycle, you want to find out about it before you get into traffic.
Before mounting the motorcycle, please check the following:
1. Tires/wheels. Check the condition of tread, wheels and air pressure and check for cracks in the rubber if the bike has been stored for a period of time.
2. Fluids. Always check all fluid levels. At a minimum, check hydraulic fluids weekly. Look under the motorcycle for signs of an oil or gas leak.
3. Headlights and tail lights. Switch them both, test your switch to make sure both high and low beams are working.
4. Turn signals. Check your turn signals. Turn on both right and left turn signals.
5. Brake lights. Try both brake controls and make sure each one turns on the brake light.
6. Check all levers, cables and throttle controls for proper condition, operation and routing.
7. Once you have mounted the motorcycle check the following before starting out:
Clutch and throttle - make sure they work smoothly. The throttle should snap back when you let go and the clutch should feel tight and smooth.
Mirrors - clean and adjust both mirrors before starting. It is difficult to ride with one hand while you try to adjust the mirror. Adjust each mirror so you can see the lane behind you and as much as possible, the lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror show the edge of your arm or shoulder but it is the road behind and to the side that is most important.
Brakes - Try the front and rear brakes. Leverage one at a time and make sure one feels firm and brakes and holds the motorcycle when the brake is fully applied.
Horn - Make sure it works.
Even with all these safety tips and the improvement of motorcycle design, the current figures reveal that in the United States in 2006 there were 4,810 fatal accidents and 88,000 injuries to motorcyclists compared with 2005 with 4,576 fatalities and 2004 4,028 fatalities. These figures show an increase annually of about 5%. Current trends both in popularity and economic situation with gas prices has lead to an increase of motorcyclists traveling upon the roadways. In an attempt to reduce these numbers, NTHSA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have instituted the Motorcycle Safety Program, enjoy the safe ride and sober and stop street racing, both to increase the awareness of motorcycles and drivers. We highly recommend that you participate in one or more of these programs.
Principal and founding attorney, Jeffrey Reiff, has been a motorcyclist since age 13 and has provided ground breaking theories of liability and has participated in numerous motorcycle safety and legal forums. Philadelphia personal injury attorney, Jeffrey Reiff, and the experienced personal injury lawyers at the Philadelphia personal injury firm of Reiff and Bily have worked with highly specialized experts in reconstructing and prosecuting motorcycle accident cases.
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Reiff and Bily understand motorcycle accident law and understand motorcycles and know how to review and prove damages, establish legal responsibility, assess how much financial recovery your injuries warrant and how to collect the financial settlement or judgment that you properly deserve. Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your case so that you can focus on recovering from your motorcycle injuries. We have an outstanding record of successful outcomes from our motorcycle injury clients.
Please contact Reiff and Bily today to request a free consultation with one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. Please call 1-800-421-9595 or contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com.
