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It’s more important than ever to learn how to stay safe while operating a motorcycle. While accidents can happen at any time of the year, raining weather increases the chance of an accident.
In 2018 there were 4,985 fatalities because of motorcycle accidents. On top of that, there were 82,000 accidents in which someone was injured. When roads are wet, they can be slippery, causing both motorcyclists and drivers to slide around, causing more accidents.
As long as you’re riding safely and following the tips below, there’s no reason you shouldn’t take your bike out when it’s raining.
Tips for Safely Riding Your Motorcycle in the Rain
Safe riding starts with you. You can’t control anyone else’s behavior on the road aside from your own, so make sure that you’re doing all you can to keep yourself safe.
Safety Starts With the Right Gear
When riding in the rain, choosing the right gear is key. You should wear a good quality, waterproof rain suit, gloves, and boots. You can invest in an electric vest to keep the rain from soaking you. An electric vest will help you stay warm amidst the storm.
To keep yourself warm, you should wear multiple layers. Wearing multiple thin layers is a better option than wearing a few thick options, as you can more easily remove them one at a time as they get wet, replacing them with backups as needed.
When it comes to rain gear, your helmet should be equipped with an anti-fog visor, breath guard, or an electric visor that can easily defrost itself.
Ride for the Road Conditions
When riding in the rain, it’s important to adjust the way that you operate your motorcycle. If you drive at the same high speeds and leave a short following distance, you may cause an accident and injure yourself.
You need to account for heavy rain and wet weather, meaning you should ensure that your brakes are in good working condition before you leave. You should also leave an increased braking distance, just if you’re not able to slow down fast enough.
Avoid Road Hazards
Keep your eyes on the road and watch out for potentially dangerous spots, like manhole covers, extra slippery spots, or large puddles. Avoiding these dangerous spots could help you avoid an accident.
Specifically, you shouldn’t trust puddles, as you never know just how deep they’re going to be. If you accidentally ride through a puddle, hold the throttle steady, keep your bike upright, and keep your feet off the brakes.
If you see a rainbow in a puddle, it’s because water and oil have mixed to cause a hazardous situation. These types of puddles are extra slippery and can send your bike right out from under you.
Keep Your Cool
Last but not least, make sure to keep your cool when driving through the rain. Don’t panic and press on your brakes or swerve to avoid something at the last second. Drive with confidence, but don’t be afraid to pull over if the road conditions are too bad.
If you aren’t confident in your ability to stay safe in the rain, you should consider staying home. You can also practice biking in the rain in your neighborhood until you feel safe heading out on busier roads.
What if another driver injures you?
There’s only so much you can do to protect yourself from accidents. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to control the actions of other drivers. Even if you’re a good defensive driver, some accidents just can’t be avoided.
Accidents may occur in heavy rain at the fault of a passenger vehicle driver. They may not monitor their blind spots well enough or leave enough of a following distance, which could cause an accident to occur.
Motorcycle injuries can be serious or fatal, as motorcyclists don’t have much to protect them from an oncoming vehicle. A motorcycle accident could result in injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Wrongful death
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident at the fault of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation can cover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
- And more
Injured in a motorcycle accident? Contact The Eberst Law Firm to File a Personal Injury Claim
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact our talented team of attorneys here at The Eberst Law Firm. We have years of experience working on motorcycle accident claims, and we can get you the compensation you deserve for your damages.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online using our chat box option or by calling us at 772-225-4900.
