3 Important Tips To Drive Your Motorcycle Safely In Alberta

Most motorcycle accidents are serious accidents that result in severe injuries. Below are a few tips you can follow to help you ride your motorcycle safely in Alberta.

1. Expect the Unexpected

One of the most important tips that will help you stay safe on the road while riding your motorcycle is paying attention to the small details and slight changes that the cars around you might make. For instance, watching the wheels of a car can give you more insight than signals would on what the driver intends to do. At a stop light or during an intersection, car drivers tend to “get ready” to make a turn by slightly turning the wheel. They might forget to turn their signals on or wait for the green light before indicating a turn, but they will almost always slightly turn the steering wheel when preparing for a turn. This tiny detail can be a great indicator of what to expect from the drivers next to you and help you prepare accordingly.

When driving on either side of a car, make sure you stay out of the vehicle’s blind spot. To avoid driving in the blind spot, you can do one of two things:

Accelerate your speed so that you are visible to the driver from their window or their windshield.
Decrease your speed so that you are a few inches behind the car next to you, and you are able to see the driver in their side mirrors.
Driving ahead or behind the vehicle next to you will ensure that the driver can see you at all times.

2. Stay Alert

From the moment you get on your motorcycle to the moment you get off, you must stay alert and be attentive to the vehicles around you. If you can’t visibly see that the road is safe ahead of you, don’t go. Safety is key when you’re sharing the road with other cars, so make sure that other drivers can see you and you can see what’s happening around you. For example, if you feel the distance between you and the car in front of you is decreasing, but you can’t see their brake lights turn on, slow down and try to move away. During this situation, the driver’s brake lights might be broken, giving you the false impression that they’re still driving at the same speed. In order to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation, make sure that there’s a 3-4 second distance between you and the driver ahead, and once you notice that the distance is getting smaller, give yourself enough time to slow down or move away.

Be cautious of drivers around you and always prepare for sudden turns. Whether you’re making a right turn or waiting for a vehicle to make a left turn, always expect that the driver might not see you. It’s always safe to glance at the driver’s eyes to make sure that they can see you and they’re not looking past you – when establishing eye contact, you allow drivers to acknowledge your presence and signal you to move over or make the turn.

3. If you’re in an Accident, Contact an Injury Lawyer.

No matter how minor the accident might seem to be, getting into a motorcycle accident usually results in serious injuries. If you experience a motorcycle accident, contact an injury lawyer immediately. Motorcycle claims are much more complex than other claims and require experienced lawyers who know the ins and outs of Alberta’s personal injury law. James H. Brown and Associates have over 250 years of combined experience representing victims of car, bicycle and motorcycle accidents. Our team of experienced motorcycle lawyers has successfully advocated for many victims of motorcycle accidents and is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.