Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents with James H. Brown and Associates

With plenty of long summer days still left, many Albertans are looking to hit the open road on their motorcycles. Whether you’re commuting to work, taking a road trip around the province, or simply heading out for a relaxing weekend ride, it’s essential to stay safe and take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

Below, you’ll find James H. Brown and Associates’ top tips for motorcycle safety this summer. Additionally, you’ll find more information on what to do if you’re involved in an accident and how our experienced team of injury lawyers can help you attain justice.

Staying Safe on Alberta Roads

Wear Your Gear. If you’re in a motorcycle accident, your safety gear can (literally) save your skin! Approved helmets, eyewear, and gloves are essential for safe riding, and full leather gear is highly recommended, especially for highway rides.
Stay Alert. Riding a motorcycle safely requires total physical and mental focus. Especially during early morning commutes or after a long day on the highway, it can be easy for your attention to drift off the road. Fatigue is a common factor in many of the worst motorcycle accidents; take breaks when necessary to ensure your focus stays where it needs to be.
Be Visible. Whether it’s on a highway at dusk or in crowded rush-hour traffic, visibility is key to motorcycle safety. From adding reflective strips to your bike and gear to using hand signals and avoiding riding in other vehicles’ blind spots, ensure you’re doing everything you can to let other drivers know where you are.
Ride Safely. Just because motorcycles are more agile and have shorter stopping distances doesn’t mean you can ride recklessly. Always maintain safe and appropriate spaces with other vehicles and ensure all your passes and turns are safe and controlled. Take extra care around vehicles carrying big or unstable loads, and avoid weaving in and out of busy traffic.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

Every year, countless individuals are involved in serious motorcycle accidents across Alberta. If you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle accident, take the following steps to ensure you receive fair and appropriate compensation:

Seek Medical Attention. Even if your injuries look and feel “minor,” you still need to get checked out by a medical professional. Even minor injuries can get worse over time, and many insurance companies will question your injuries’ severity if you don’t get them diagnosed right away. When it comes to your long-term wellbeing, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Document Damages. Whenever an accident prevents you from working, leads to additional expenses, or otherwise changes your day-to-day routine, documentation is critical. Keep a detailed record of any and all expenses and changes caused by your accident; if you need to make a claim or pursue a settlement, this information will be key to getting complete compensation for your injury.
Talk to an Injury Lawyer. Sound legal advice is essential for motorcycle accident victims and their families. Alberta motor vehicle accident law is highly complicated; getting a professional opinion and an experienced team on your side allows you to focus on recovery while ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Accident Injury Law with James H. Brown and Associates

Since 1993, James H. Brown and Associates has been committed to standing up for accident victims across Alberta. Our team understands firsthand what the toll serious injury can take, and has over 200 years of combined experience successfully helping Albertans attain justice.

No two motorcycle accidents are alike; that’s why we offer a complete range of services and support for our clients, including:

An award-winning legal team with an unrivalled record of success.
Complete investigation and evidence preservation services, including accident reconstruction and analysis.
Strong relationships with organizations committed to long-term support and recovery.
And much more!