Motorcycle Safety Reduces Accident Risk
Our attorneys are proud to advocate for bikers
With a lot of great weather, long open roads under a big sky, and plenty of natural wonders to see, there are a lot of motorcycle riders in Texoma. However, motorcycle riders face a heightened risk of traffic accident injuries.
When bikers get into an accident, it is usually the other driver’s fault. It may be obvious that you deserve compensation for your injuries, bike, and other losses, but don’t expect an easy process from the insurance company.
After a bad bike wreck, Hoover Rogers Law, LLP can handle the claims process for you. We will investigate the accident, build a strong case, aggressively negotiate to get you a substantial payout, and, if necessary, prepare to take the insurance company to trial.
If you were injured in the Wichita Falls and Lawton area, contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. With no obligation to hire us, a member of our legal team can explain how the law applies to your specific situation and your legal options.
Motorcycle safety tips
While a motorcycle accident can happen to even the most careful rider, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of a crash. We’ve listed some below.
Wear the right protective gear. It’s important to wear all your protective gear for every ride — even short ones. Most motorcycle accidents happen during rides of 5 miles or less. Wearing an approved helmet is recommended to protect against brain injuries and death. Both Texas and Oklahoma have youth helmet laws. In Texas, riders aged 21 and younger must wear helmets, while in Oklahoma the rule applies to people aged 18 and under. Helmets are optional for older bikers, but wearing one is still a good idea.
In addition to your helmet, recommended protective gear includes goggles or a shatter-resistant helmet visor, jacket and pants made of sturdy fibers that fully cover your arms and legs, boots or shoes made of hard material that covers your ankle, and grip-improving gloves.
Get the right fit. Make sure you “fit” your bike and that your feet touch the ground while you are seated.
Check your bike. If something is wrong, you want to know before you start your ride. Before you leave, check to make sure these things are in proper working order:
- Tires — Check air pressure and tread.
- Fluids — Look for signs of gas or oil leaks and check your hydraulic fluids and coolants weekly.
- Headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals — Check them both to make sure they are working.
- Clutch and throttle — Do they work smoothly? Your throttle should snap back when you let go and the clutch should feel tight and smooth.
- Mirrors — Clean and adjust them so you can see the edge of your arm or shoulder and the traffic behind you.
- Brakes — Test front and rear brakes to make sure they feel firm.
- Horn — Make sure it honks.
Keep your distance. The best protection you can have against crashes is staying away from other vehicles. Give yourself a cushion or buffer space between you and other cars and trucks. This gives you time to react or maneuver if someone else makes a sudden move. There should be a 2-second distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Aim for high visibility. Most motorcycle accidents happen because another vehicle did not notice the bike. To avoid crashes, make yourself easier to spot. This means wearing brightly colored (red, orange, green, yellow) and/or reflective clothing, always using your headlight (even during the day), and making sure to signal what you plan to do to other drivers by using your turn signals
Stay in shape to ride. You need focus, quick reflexes, and clear thinking to spot hazards and stay safe while riding. This means that using drugs or alcohol before riding is discouraged. You also shouldn’t ride if you are impaired by fatigue, illness, or anything else that has altered your state of mind.
Our law firm does not back down
Interpreting the fine print of insurance policies, investigating a serious motorcycle accident, and engaging in high-stake negotiations is a lot to ask of anyone, let alone someone who was just hit by a car.
Hoover Rogers Law, LLP can help. When you hire us to represent your accident claim, you can expect to have a responsive, knowledgeable, compassionate lawyer by your side every step of the way.
Attorneys Ben Hoover and Grant Rogers represent injured bikers on contingency. That means we don’t get paid unless we win. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about the value of your claim.