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Most motorcycle riders understand that they face a certain level of risk when they go out on the road. Two-wheeled vehicles are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles, and this can result in a greater likelihood of a rider losing control. Due to their size motorcycles are harder to see. And, when a motorcycle accident does occur, the rider is not protected by the enclosure of a vehicle body.
There are some things riders can do to reduce the risk of injury. Wearing a helmet is one of the most important, and Maryland law requires helmet use. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, helmets reduce the risk of dying in a motorcycle crash by 37 percent. Riding without a helmet increases the risk of traumatic brain injury threefold.
Another important item of safety equipment is an anti-lock braking system. Anti-lock brakes prevent the bike’s wheels from locking up, which is a far more serious issue on a motorcycle than on a four-wheeled vehicle. When a car’s brakes lock up the car can go into a skid. When a motorcycle’s brakes lock up the rider can lose control and crash.
Unfortunately, one of the leading factors in causing motorcycle crashes is one that riders have little control over: negligent drivers in other vehicles. A distracted driver who fails to see a motorcycle or fails to yield the right of way can kill or seriously injury the rider before the rider has time to react.
A motorcyclist injured by another driver’s negligence may have the right to sue for personal injury damages. Getting the right information can help the rider recover the compensation they need to get their life back on track.