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Wearing the right protective gear can help lessen the impact of a motorcycle crash.

Gear Up to Stay Safe on Your Motorcycle

Motorcycles are fantastic in so many ways — they give you freedom to explore the open roads, a special thrill, plus they allow you to join a unique culture.  But motorcycles can also be dangerous, particularly because other vehicles on the road do not always respect motorcyclists or their drivers.  They may cut motorcyclists off suddenly, turn without signaling, or not give them the appropriate amount of space to safely drive.  Loose gravel, sharp curves in the road or inclement weather can also lead to motorcycle crashes.  And when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, the potential for injuries is incredibly high — particularly because they often lack the protection of a metal shell around them, as most riders in cars and trucks enjoy.

Bikers cannot prevent every accident, no matter how careful they are while driving.  Whether it is due to negligence from other drivers or road conditions, accidents do happen — so motorcycle riders should take it upon themselves to make sure that they are prepared for the worst case scenario.

One way that they can do this is by wearing the right gear for their ride.  A helmet is an obvious must — many states require riders to wear one, and even if they don’t, it is a smart idea to wear one anyways.  A helmet should ideally be approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and should have hard shell that surrounds the head.  A chin strap should fasten the helmet securely, and it should be sturdy in its design and manufacture.  A good helmet should also have a liner to both make it more comfortable to wear and to help absorb any direct impact.

Helmets come in a range of options, including a full face design, three quarters helmet and a half shelf helmet.  Each offers varying levels of protection and has different advantages and disadvantages.  A full face helmet has the significant advantage of protecting the entire face, and eliminating the need for other types of gear.

Protection for Your Face, Eyes and Ears

If you are not wearing a full face helmet, you must find other ways to protect your face, eyes, and ears from damage.  Even if you are not in an accident, you could still be hurt by debris that flies up in the air.  Protection for your eyes should not just be sunglasses; these may not protect you from getting hurt.  Instead, eye protection should be resistant to punctures and impact, be free from scratches and should not block your peripheral vision.  Ideally, face protection should be attached via fasteners so that it stays on in the event of a collision.  It should also allow air to flow so that your breathing isn’t obstructed.

Protection for Your Body

While it may be more important to protect your head while on a motorcycle, you should also take care to protect the rest of your body as well.  The right clothing can protect you from flying debris, cuts, and scratches.  It may not eliminate injuries, but it can lessen their impact.  Good protective clothing should cover your arms and legs completely (without causing you to overheat in hot weather!).  It should be comfortable, but not loose.  This will ensure maximum protection for you in the event of a crash.

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, please know that there is help. At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we offer assistance to victims of motorcycle accidents.  Our initial consultations are always free, and we never charge a fee unless we recover money for you.  Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn more!