How to Stay Safe on the Road this Fall
Motorcycle Accidents During The Fall – How to Stay Safe on the Road
As the sweltering summer comes to an end, more and more bikers are hitting the road to enjoy the beautiful Florida fall weather. Staying safe on the road is critical to ensure you have many more rides for years to come. Here are a few ways you can protect yourself, and what you can do in the event that you are involved in a motorcycle accident and need to contact an Orlando motorcycle accident attorney.
Safety and Weather Gear
The fall season brings Florida some up and down weather. Since Florida receives most of its rain from May to October, you’ll want to plan your rides carefully to avoid riding in dangerous conditions and on slick roads. One of the best ways you can protect yourself if you’re caught in an afternoon storm is to wear appropriate weather gear. If all else fails, make sure you have a good motorcycle accident attorney Orlando can be a rough ride at times!
Helmets
Helmet laws vary from state to state, and they are not universally required in the state of Florida. However, in states without universal helmet laws, 66% of riders who suffered fatal injuries were not wearing a helmet (versus 15% in states with universal helmet laws). While you may not be required to wear a helmet depending on your age and insurance coverage, you don’t need a law to tell you to make a smart decision.
Finding a helmet that fits properly and is designed to withstand impact is important to keep yourself safe in the event of an accident.
Leather
Leather is able to withstand scrapes at a much higher degree than normal clothing. This means that if you are in an accident, it is more likely that your leather will be torn to pieces and not your skin. Overall, it’s a good choice to suit up before you ride out. A smart rider will wear a leather jacket, chaps, and even a vest to protect the majority of the skin on their body and to reinforce their clothing underneath.
Boots
Riding boots aren’t just for looks, they are an important part of a full riding outfit that will keep you safe while on the road. They have a better grip on the bottom of the sole to help prevent your feet from slipping at stops. In addition to this, they also protect you against the dreaded muffler burn and can keep your feet protected from your motorcycle chain in the event of a crash.
Road Conditions
Overall, road conditions during the Florida fall aren’t as bad as they are up north, but that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down. Since Florida sees a lot of rain during the fall season, you want to make sure you are prepared to stop and wait out a storm or plan your outing around the time that the storms will come through. Slick roads do not make for a nice ride!
Road Hazards
A lot of the road hazards out here come from the sky during the fall. Lightning strikes, heavy rain, and hail are all hazards that riders will need to deal with. A lot of riders simply wait for winter to come before they hop back on their bike. To put it simply, riding during the Florida fall can be dangerous.
Another hazard to keep an eye on is potholes. Hitting a pothole at a high speed is a good way to lose control of your bike and wreck it.
Last but not least is to look out for other drivers! Other drivers (and riders) can create significant road hazards. If you are injured by another driver or biker, you will want to call an Orlando Personal Injury Attorney to handle your motorcycle accident in Orlando FL.
Tips to stay safe
1. Wear a helmet.
2. Wear leather.
3. Ride sober!
4. Avoid slamming on your breaks or driving fast on wet roads.
5. Always have a good attorney, like Blevins and Adams Law Group, on standby in the event of an accident.
How attorneys can help if you are injured in an accident
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and are capable of using your phone, you will want to call the police immediately. Seek medical attention, and then call Orlando motorcycle accident lawyers. If you’re in need of motorcycle accident lawyers Orlando has a few to choose from, but none are as experienced and dedicated to protecting you as the attorneys at Blevins and Adams Law Group.