For many motorcyclists, the call of the road gets stronger as the weather warms. More motorcyclists enjoy riding with friends on spring and summer weekends and commuting to work by bike. Riding a motorcycle has a lot of appeal, but sharing the road with cars and trucks that are not alert for motorcyclists can be dangerous.

Here are some tips to keep in mind anytime you get on your motorcycle in North Carolina or South Carolina:

Ride Distraction-Free

One of the most important things that you can do as a motorcyclist is to ride without distractions. When you are distracted, it is harder to keep track of other cars and trucks on the road. It can increase your risk of being in an accident. Riding distraction-free means keeping music at a reasonable volume, keeping both eyes focused on the road, and never using a cellphone or handheld mobile device while operating a motorcycle.

In addition to avoiding distractions, make sure that you always operate your motorcycle while sober. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the percentage of intoxicated motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes is greater than that of drunken drivers of motor vehicles.

Follow the Law

Another way to stay safe is to obey speed limits and traffic safety laws, which are in place to prevent accidents. For motorcyclists in North Carolina, this means using a headlight, taking a rider education course, making sure your motorcycle is equipped with mirrors, never lane-splitting, and following all posted traffic signs and laws. To increase visibility, motorcycles sold in the U.S. since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running.

North Carolina has a universal helmet law requiring all riders on the road to wear motorcycle helmets. South Carolina requires that riders under age 21 wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet when riding reduces the severity of injuries and the risk of a fatal injury in the event of a crash.

Always Ride Defensively

Be aware that most crashes occur on short trips. As a motorcyclist, if you are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle, you are likely to be the one who sustains the more severe injuries. One out of every five motorcycle crashes involves a head or neck injury. The driver of the car is protected by the vehicle’s frame and passenger compartment. To reduce the risk of being involved in an accident, you should always ride defensively, which means taking precautions and being ready at all times to react to another drivers’ actions. Do not assume that other motorists will see you or yield the right of way, even if they are supposed to do so. Always be cautious and patient. Your life is on the line.

Contact Us to See if You Have a Case

If you are a motorcycle accident victim in North Carolina or South Carolina, our motorcycle accident lawyer can help you. Contact the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor P.C. today to see if you have a motorcycle accident claim and the amount of damages that you may be able to recover. We serve all of North and South Carolina as well as Gastonia, Asheville, Statesville, and Boone. You can call our offices directly or use our online form to contact us and tell us more about your case.