Motorcycle riding is an inherently dangerous sport, and people who ride run the risk of sustaining serious injuries every time they hop on their hog. Sadly, even experienced motorcyclists who follow all local traffic laws can find themselves in a devastating collision with a drunk, distracted, or otherwise negligent driver.
Although you must assume some risk every time you ride, you can reduce the chances of sustaining serious injuries in the event of a crash by wearing appropriate safety gear. Every state has some variation of a helmet law for a reason: Helmets save lives.
State law might only mention helmets, but there is other gear that you should consider purchasing before hitting the road. Even a seemingly minor crash can result in road rash, which is costly to treat and could keep you out of work for days or even weeks. With the right safety gear, though, you can reduce the risk of suffering road rash in a collision.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident despite riding defensively and you want to hold the liable motorist financially accountable for the injuries you sustained, contact Heilman Law Group. You may be eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a case evaluation with a car accident attorney in Jackson.
Read on to learn about some essential safety gear you should wear every time you ride:
Your hands are especially vulnerable to road rash and broken bones in the event of a collision because it is natural human instinct to throw them out in front of you when falling. Gloves may not prevent injuries in a serious accident, but they will protect your hands should you have to throw you bike down and roll for some reason. Invest in a sturdy pair of leather riding gloves that have reinforced knuckles for optimum protection.
A quality motorcycle jacket will protect your arms and torso from road rash if you ever end up in an accident. Look for one that has reinforced elbows and shoulders. If you have a flexible budget, you should also consider purchasing a jacket that has an internal back brace, which will protect your spine from minor impact injuries.
If you are planning on wearing sneakers when riding, think again. Should you ever end up in a serious collision, the force of impact will literally cause the tennis shoes to fly off your feet.
Aside from injuries to the head, spine, and neck, foot and ankle injuries can be the most costly to recover from because they could keep you out of work for months. For this reason, you should never ride in anything other than sturdy ankle boots.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle collision despite wearing adequate safety gear, contact Heilman Law Group to determine if you have a valid injury claim. Call 601-914-1025 to schedule a consultation with an accident law attorney in Jackson. If you want to learn more about motorcycle accident claims in Mississippi, visit usattorneys.com/motorcycle-accident/mississippi.