Does Your Teen Ride a Motorcycle? 4 Safety Tips from a Detroit Injury Lawyer

Riding a motorcycle is both a thrilling and convenient way to commute. The excitement of riding, lower gas costs and cheaper maintenance are attractive to young riders; however, motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer injuries in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 56 out of every 100,000 registered motorcycles were in fatal crashes in 2013 – compared to just nine out of every 100,000 passenger vehicles.

If your teen rides a motorcycle, these four tips could save his or her life:

1. Enroll in a riding course;
2. Buy a certified helmet and other safety equipment;
3. Do not carry passengers;
4. And do not speed.

Unfortunately, even the safest motorcyclists are not immune to accidents – especially when other drivers act negligently. If you or your child was injured in a crash that another driver caused, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates.

An injury lawyer in Detroit will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 1-800-961-8477 to schedule a free consultation.

Here are four safety tips for young motorcycle riders:

1. Enroll in a Riding Course

Motorcycle riding courses are available for all skill levels. They teach bikers how to anticipate and avoid common accident scenarios. They also provide insight into basic motorcycle maintenance and defensive riding techniques. You can find a list of motorcycle training courses in Michigan here.

2. Buy a Certified Helmet and Other Safety Equipment

The helmet is a motorcyclist’s most important piece of safety equipment. Make sure your teen uses a helmet that has either a Department of Transportation or Snell Memorial Foundation certification. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also recommends that you purchase a new helmet because used models might have sustained damage in a previous accident.

It is also important that your teen wears a thick motorcycle jacket, gloves, riding pants and boots. If your teen rides without a visor, then make sure he or she wears a pair of certified motorcycle goggles.

3. Do Not Carry Passengers

No inexperienced motorcycle rider should carry passengers. Peers can be distracting for novice riders, and passengers affect the handling of a motorcycle, which can increase the risk of crashing.

4. Do Not Speed

The vast majority of motorcycle accidents are avoidable if riders follow traffic laws. Speeding is a particularly common factor in fatal motorcycle crashes. According to the NHTSA, more than one-third of all motorcycle riders who were in fatal accidents in 2012 were speeding.

If you were injured by a negligent driver in Michigan, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates. A Detroit injury attorney will protect your interests and guide you through the claims process.

We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-961-8477 to schedule a free case evaluation.