May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This month, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is running advertisements and enforcement campaigns to help drivers be more alert and attentive on the road for bikers, and to ensure that motorcyclists ride as safely as possible.
At Ponce Law, we appreciate the efforts that law enforcement makes to keep people safe on roads throughout the Volunteer State. But we also know that riders can’t count on other drivers to always be on the lookout for them. Ultimately, it’s up to riders to protect themselves and be their best safety advocates.
The best way to stay safe while riding is to:
- Wear full gear—Never skip any piece of gear, regardless of trip distance, weather, or time of day. A crash can happen at any time.
- Don’t speed—When you speed, you have less time to react, slow down, or stop. Riding at or below the speed limit can significantly reduce your risks.
- Scan the road ahead—Always be on the lookout for the movements of vehicles and hazards in the road ahead. Be especially careful during and after rain showers, at intersections, and when you see vehicles that are about to turn left.
- Don’t ride at high-risk times—Be smart about when you ride. If you’re able to avoid riding at night, when it’s raining, or when temperatures dip below freezing, do it.
After motorcycle crashes, riders often get a bad rap from insurance companies. Our Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers work hard to ensure that all the facts come out when they need compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation if you or someone you love was injured because of someone else’s negligence while you were riding.