Deadly Myths In Motorcycle Safety
Bikers love to talk about riding. Motorcycle riders also recognize the danger that riding a bike can pose, especially if an accident on a motorcycle includes a car. Not surprisingly then, the occasional urban legend or misconception springs up about motorcycle safety. Below find some common misconceptions to avoid while out on the road.
Helmet Safety
Some of the biggest myths surrounding motorcycle safety include helmets. From believing that a helmet will make it more likely to get into an accident due to loss of vision, to doubting the ability of a helmet to help, some riders carry with them misinformation regarding helmets. Here are some helmet facts:
- A helmet will help in an accident. Some riders take a bit of a cavalier attitude toward wearing a helmet. Some figure that if they get into an accident on the highway a helmet isn't going to help anyway. But that ignores several facts, such as that most accidents will happen at low speeds, helmets can in fact perform fantastically even during high-speed crashes, and it certainly won't hurt your chances to survive.
- Similarly, some riders think that it is more likely for them to get brain damage after getting into an accident, rather than simply dying, and choose to not wear a helmet on that basis. However, there is no indication that this is true; in fact, you are more likely to get brain damage from a low-speed accident that would otherwise have not caused injury if the rider was wearing a helmet.
- Motorcycle helmets do not make it more likely to suffer a broken neck in an accident; despite the extra weight, studies have shown that helmets can absorb energy in an accident and help to avoid neck and spinal injuries.
- Helmets do not block a rider's ability to see fully or to block hearing from danger. In fact, a helmet can cut down on wind resistance which helps a rider to see and avoids eye fatigue. It is not completely clear why (maybe just because riders who wear a helmet tend to be more cautious) but helmet-wearing riders are in fewer accidents than non-helmeted riders.
Other Myths
Unfortunately safety myths aren't limited to helmets. Other misinformed riders claim that a skilled rider does not need anti-lock brakes, but no matter how skilled or experienced the rider, anti-lock brakes work better. Others believe loud pipes will help to keep a rider safe by making everyone aware of him or her, when studies have shown this is not true. And finally, some riders still claim that a beer or two doesn't really affect motor skills enough to be a danger while riding; this has been proven false through many tragic motorcycle accidents.
If You Have Been In an Accident
However much you practice safe riding, motorcycle riding is an inherently dangerous activity and accidents do happen. If you have been in a motorcycle accident contact a personal injury lawyer. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 10 percent of all traffic fatalities involved motorcycles. With that kind of potential for severe injury, it is important to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages or the death of a loved one.
