Every time a motorcyclist climbs on his or her bike and gets on the road, he risks his or her life. It’s no secret that motorcyclists face copious amounts of danger while they are on the road. They are far less protected than those in vehicles since occupants in vehicles are protected by car manufacturing – all a motorcyclist has is his or her person. It’s even worse when negligent or careless drivers fail to take reasonable precautions when driving around motorcycles. For instance, a report made by the NHTSA stated in 2013, the “most harmful event for 51% of the 4,774 motorcycles involved in fatal crashes was a collision with a motor vehicle in transport.
Texas isn’t without motorcycle collisions either. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 94% of crashes involving motorcycles result in injury in Houston, Texas. Additionally, in 2018, there were 618 motorcycle crashes, producing 168 injuries, 131 serious injuries, and 26 fatalities. This also occurred in Houston alone.
This alone is why motorcyclists need to take precautions before they get on their bike. In collaboration with the Houston car accident lawyer Hank Stout, we provide you five key equipment products motorcyclists should have on their person or their bike.
Helmet
The one thing any motorcyclist needs to wear is a helmet. Helmets save lives. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2017, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled.
Motorcycles are more at risk to be in an accident than a motor vehicle, this is why it’s essential for motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Additionally, significant impacts occur to the head when motorcyclists are injured. A study by Dietmar Otte on helmet impacts indicates that 66% of helmet impacts occur around the chin bar and forehead areas.
Any kind of helmet is necessary for a motorcyclist, but professionals recommend a full-face helmet so as to protect the chin and forehead areas. These helmets offer maximum protection while motorcyclists are out on the road.
One helmet proven essential to most riders is ones that offer not only protection but are also lightweight and Department of Transportation-approved. One that includes Bluetooth as well will be useful since riders can accept calls or play music while riding rather than risking earphones or a portable Bluetooth headset underneath the helmet.
If you want to learn more about helmets and protective gear, visit protectivegearz.com.
Ear Protection
You know when the wind hits your ears and your ears end up hurting? That’s when ear protection comes in. Motorcyclists suffer potential ear damage whenever they get on their motorcycles. They are prone to high gusts of wind, and noise from engine and traffic. All this combined with the frequency of rides can attribute to excessive ear damage.
The best protection out there motorcyclists can have on hand is earplugs. The lower external noises to a comfortable level to where the hearing ability won’t be drastically affected.
The best part is that they are easy to buy, and are comfortable to place under the helmet.
Eye Protection
This one may fall similarly to helmets, but one of the most important gear motorcyclists should own is eye protection. Humans rely on their eyesight up to 100 percent of the time. They are essential for riding out on the road, and why it’s must-have equipment for any rider.
Fragments from dust, gravel, debris, dirt, or any other kind can cause discomfort while out riding. Even bugs can get in your eyes. This leads to closing your eyes and getting distracted while on the road.
Second to helmets, eye protection like sunglasses or goggles is necessary for riding a motorcycle. With no fragments in your eyes, no need to close your eyes and risk an accident.
Pants/Knee Guards
Clothes may be the last thing a motorcyclist should look at, but it is an important part of a motorcyclist equipment arsenal.
Motorcycle pants and knee guards protect the skin that is so around the dangerous fumes of a motorcycle, not to mention jeans shred easily if you happen to slide on the pavement (but hopefully that type of situation never occurs). Be sure to purchase pants that are durable, waterproof, windproof, and breathable. You can even go a step above and get pants with reflective pads for fellow nighttime drivers. As for guards, they are there to protect your knees and/or shins.
Multi-Tool Kit
Just like with cars needing jumping cables, motorcycles need toolkits. It’s important every time you go for a ride, a toolkit is there. Accidents happen when a motorcycle isn’t proper maintenance so be prepared for roadside repairs!
A toolkit we suggest is one that comes with wrenches, motorcycle spoke wrenches, Allen sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, cable ties, multi-purpose tools, and microfiber towels. It also wouldn’t hurt to also have extra fuel storage on hand just in case fuel runs low on a ride.
Texas Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, recovery and treatment are of the utmost importance. Its critical victims seek medical attention before continuing their journey of seeking justice.
If you don’t seek attention, the at-fault party or their insurance company may take advantage of you and try to deny you compensation. If you have medical proof of your injuries, they can’t try and downplay your injuries or claim they are from a separate incident.
Seeking a motorcycle lawyer following a medical inspection is the next vital step. A motorcycle accident lawyer can relieve stress from the victim by communicating with the at-fault party and their insurance company. The lawyers can also make sure your interests are prioritized and that you will receive a fair and just settlement.
If you or a loved one has suffered significant harm in a motorcycle accident, you should contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer right away. The aggressive, experienced law firms are here to help you in any possible way.
