The Importance of Proper Motorcycle Maintenance in Preventing Accidents

Despite the thrill and ease of access to riding a motorcycle, one must never forget the dangers that come with it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 5,500 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents in 2020, and there were more than 180,000 emergency room visits due to motorcycle-related accidents. 

Many motorcycle accidents occur because a motorist failed to see the motorcycle on the road. While one can’t control the actions of other motorists, a motorcyclist should endeavor to do whatever they can to make themselves safer when on the road. Perhaps the first place to start is proper motorcycle maintenance. 

Read further to learn why riding a motorcycle carries more risk, the role that proper maintenance plays in accident prevention, and some suggestions for what motorcyclists can do to ensure that their bike is properly maintained.   

Riding a Motorcycle is More Risky

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accident fatalities are almost 29 times higher than auto accident fatalities. 

Riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving a car. This is because, due to the lack of protection, motorcyclists are more prone to sustaining catastrophic injuries or being killed when an accident occurs. 

Riding a motorcycle is also riskier because motorcycles require much more skill and ability to handle and are less visible than most other vehicles on the road. Motorcycles are also less stable and, as such, more vulnerable to road hazards and more difficult to operate in less-than-ideal circumstances, like bad weather. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Baton Rouge

There are several factors that commonly lead to motorcycle accidents in Baton Rouge. The most common factors are:

Drivers changing lanes into motorcyclists.

75% of all motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle, and 60% of these accidents are caused by the other driver violating the motorcyclist’s right of way.

Drivers making left turns in front of motorcyclists.

In most two-vehicle motorcycle accidents (75%), the motorcyclist was hit in the front. As such, head-on collisions are a common occurrence in motorcycle accidents. 

Drivers and passengers of other vehicles opening doors in front of motorcyclists.

This often happens when a motorcyclist is traveling in between lanes of stopped or slowed traffic (lane splitting), which is illegal in the state of Louisiana. 

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a serious epidemic on American roads. Drunk drivers pose a risk of serious injury or death for motorcyclists. Likewise, riding a motorcycle while impaired by alcohol or drugs poses a significant risk of serious injury or death to the motorcyclist and others. 

Road Hazards

Along with protecting themselves from the actions of other motorists around them, motorcyclists must keep an eye out for hazards on the road ahead of them. The most common road hazards that cause motorcycle accidents, include:

• Wet surfaces
• Stagnant or standing water
• Gravel
• Bad road conditions
• Debris
• Railroad crossings

If you or someone you care about was injured in a motorcycle accident, a Baton Rouge motorcycle lawyer from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers can investigate the cause of the accident thoroughly, and work with medical professionals, law enforcement, and accident reconstruction experts to build a case that is designed to maximize compensation for your damages.

The Role Proper Maintenance Plays in Preventing Motorcycle Accidents

Understanding how to properly maintain and care for a motorcycle is an important habit for any motorcyclist to develop. Proper maintenance is not only important to keeping the bike functioning properly, but also to ensuring the safety of the rider. 

Although no motorcyclist knows in advance what kinds of situations or hazards, they will encounter when on the road, there are steps a motorcyclist can take so that their bikes function properly in all situations. Proper maintenance can go a long way toward preventing a catastrophic motorcycle accident. 

Suggestions For Keeping a Motorcycle Properly Maintained

For many motorcyclists, taking care of their motorcycle is as enjoyable as riding it. In fact, keeping a motorcycle properly maintained is an essential part of responsible riding. 

Here are some maintenance suggestions that, if performed on a regular basis, can help keep a motorcycle properly maintained:

1. Perform a visual inspection of the bike. Look for loose, worn, or missing items. 

2. If the motorcycle has a chain, adjust the chain as needed, then apply a good chain lubricant. 

3. Check the air pressure in the tires with a good gauge and add air as needed.

4. Inspect the tire treads for wear while also looking closely for nails, embedded objects, cuts, and other types of damage. 

5. Check the fluid levels for the engine, cooling system, and breaks. Top them off as needed. Consult the owner’s manual for recommended change intervals for the engine oil and keep on schedule for that servicing. 

6. Check the motorcycle’s control levers, cables, and throttle. Also check to make sure the headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and other indicator lights are functioning properly. 

If a motorcyclist does not feel capable of performing any of the tasks listed above or needs assistance, they should take the bike to a qualified motorcycle mechanic who can perform the checks they cannot do themselves. 

How a Baton Rouge Motorcycle Lawyer from Our Law Firm Can Help

If you or someone you care about has been injured in Baton Rouge due to the negligence of another party, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will fight for the medical care and financial compensation you need and deserve.

We will take care of the complex paperwork, so you can focus on your physical recovery. We will also ensure that you are treated fairly by the liable insurance company, who may try to trick you into accepting less money than your claim is worth. 

Hire Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers

Call Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers to schedule a consultation with a motorcycle lawyer that Baton Rouge residents can rely on. We provide every potential client with a free consultation. We love helping accident victims protect their future and recover the compensation they deserve.

This content has been reviewed by the Baton Rouge Dudley DeBosier office.

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