Although motorcycle accidents account for 13 percent of traffic collision deaths, the mortality rate for motorcycle riders who suffer a collision is an astounding 26 times higher than passenger car fatality rates. This means that by riding a motorcycle instead of driving a car, if you suffer an accident than you are 26 times more likely to die as a result of your injuries.
In addition to this—yes, sadly, there is more bad news—due to their vehicles’ size and speed, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer otherwise preventable accidents as well as excruciating injuries due to a lack of outer protection.
Basically, riding a motorcycle—although liberating and exhilarating—is inherently risky. It has the potential to negatively affect your future. However, you can take steps to preserve the exhilaration while also preserving your life. The easiest of these steps is simply wearing the proper gear.
Lifesaving Motorcycle Gear
Before you take your bike out for her next ride, consider dressing the part with these essential safety garments:
- Heavy-duty jacket and pants. Tear-resistant material such as leather, ballistic nylon, or thick denim can act as a second layer of skin that’ll protect your body from scrapes and abrasions. Taking the initiative to wear more durable attire. Your clothing will protect you by taking some of the damage during an accident, possibly sparing you from painfully severe road rash.
- Heavy-duty boots. Thick boots can not only provide traction when putting your feet down at a stop, but they can also protect your feet and ankles from scrapes and potential road rash injuries.
- Gloves. Gloves can give you a better grip on your bike’s handlebars (especially for “ape hangers”). In addition to decreasing your chances of your hands accidentally slipping, biking gloves can also protect your hands from being scraped or torn if you use them to catch yourself during an accident.
- Eye protection. Eye protection is essential to prevent blinding winds and debris from blurring your vision. When traveling at upwards of 70 mph, even a small piece of grit can slice painfully into your eye, causing you to lose vision and focus. If your helmet doesn’t already have facial protection, proper eyewear is highly recommended to keep debris and wind sheer from affecting your vision.
- Helmet. Speaking of helmets, they are the most essential piece of safety equipment a motorcyclist can wear. Although Florida law does not require bikers over 21 years old to wear helmets, your decision to protect your head is just plain common sense. Head injuries are some of the most common and debilitating injuries for motorcyclists. Unprotected head injuries are often fatal, but those bikers who survive face significant chances of having permanent brain damage. However, by wearing a protective helmet, you can decrease odds of permanent damage by nearly 67 percent.
Wear and Tear, or Dare?
As motorcycle accident attorneys who have seen our fair share of injuries, we’d like to know how you feel about motorcycle safety gear. Do you think it’s necessary? Should bikers be required to wear specific articles of clothing when they ride? Let us know your opinions, insights, and concerns in the comment section provided. You can also contact us directly to freely discuss your personal experiences with motorcycle injuries and see how we can help during your recovery.