With the summer heat, there is nothing that you love more than riding your motorcycle. You like being able to feel the breeze as you ride. You feel connected to the road and nature.
It is no secret, however, that riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. You have to be cautious about dry areas of gravel that could cause you to slide, quick-moving currents after a sudden rainstorm and other drivers who may not be looking for motorcyclists on the roads.
There are some common causes of motorcycle crashes that you should know. Some of the most common reasons for collisions include:
- Riding with distracted drivers
- Failure to yield
- Traffic violations, like failing to stop at a red light
- Speeding
- Improper lane changes
Of these, one in particular, improper lane changes, is something you should be cautious of on your motorcycle. Since your vehicle is smaller than others, it can often fall into drivers’ blind spots. As a result, a driver may begin to merge into your lane without realizing that you’re occupying that space.
How can you prevent that from happening? One thing many riders do is to have their motorcycles tuned up to be louder so that it’s obvious that they’re in the lane. Another option is to always push forward ahead of traffic or slow down to get behind the vehicles to your left or right. Leaving more space means that you’ll have more time to maneuver if they decide to move into your lane unexpectedly.
These are a few helpful tips for you, but they won’t necessarily prevent all crashes. If you do get into a collision, remember that you can pursue a claim against the negligent driver.