Motorcycle accidents happen. In fact, in one year, 13.8% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involved a motorcycle as well as 3.9% of all injury crashes. Wearing the right motorcycle safety gear can, quite literally, be the difference between life and death.
At Disparti Law Group Accident and Injury Lawyers, we want every motorcycle rider to make it home safely to their families after every ride. Protect yourself in case of a motorcycle accident with essential motorcycle protection gear.
In This Article:
- Choosing the Right Motorcycle Helmet for You
- 5 Other Must-Have Motorcycle Safety Gear
- What Happens If You’re in a Motorcycle Accident Without Safety Gear
- Steps to Take if Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
Choosing the Right Motorcycle Helmet for You
A motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of motorcycle safety gear that protects from life-threatening injury. So it’s important to take your time to find one that will be safe and comfortable to ride. Illinois does not have any laws requiring riders to wear a helmet. So you don’t necessarily need to worry whether your motorcycle helmet is compliant with Illinois laws.
However, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) strongly recommends that riders wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle. While you’re shopping for a helmet, try to find one that is DOT-certified.
This simply means that the helmet meets the Federal standard for safety. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a DOT-certified motorcycle helmet.
Shape
Size
When it comes to measuring your head for a helmet, accuracy is key. Grab a cloth tape measure and begin just above your eyebrows, wrapping it around to the thickest point at the back of your head. This measurement is crucial for finding the right size helmet for you.
Once you’ve got your measurement, it’s time to consult a helmet size chart. This handy reference will help you match your head circumference to the appropriate helmet size.
But remember, a helmet that’s too loose won’t offer adequate protection. It might shift around or fail to sit snugly on your head. On the flip side, a correctly sized helmet will feel slightly tight, providing consistent pressure without any uncomfortable points. When you give your head a shake, the helmet should stay put, ensuring your safety on the road or wherever your adventures take you.
Style
Motorcycle helmets come in a variety of styles, each tailored to different riding preferences, bike types, and safety needs, accommodating various price ranges.es complete head coverage with a sturdy chin bar, ideal for high-speed rides.
- Modular Motorcycle Helmet: Offers versatility with a flip-up chin bar for convenience without compromising safety.
- Dual-Sport Motorcycle Helmet: Balances aerodynamics and durability, suitable for both on-road and off-road adventures.
- Off-Road Motorcycle Helmet: Prioritizes ventilation and lightweight construction, perfect for rugged terrain.
- Hi-Viz Motorcycle Helmet: Enhances visibility with bright colors and reflective accents, ensuring safety in low-light conditions.
- Half Helmets and Open-Face Helmets: Provide a minimalist option, offering a compromise between protection and freedom, ideal for leisurely rides.
5 Other Must-Have Motorcycle Safety Gear
2. Jackets and Trousers: In case of a motorcycle accident, you should also wear safety gear that protects from injuries of the skin such as road rash. Look for jackets and trousers that are made with durable materials like synthetic or leather. Be sure there are no loose parts that can get entangled in motorcycle parts.
3. Gloves: Choose durable gloves, preferably made of leather or special fabric with grip strips suitable for all weather conditions.
4. Footwear: Avoid sandals, sneakers, or similar footwear and opt for leather boots covering the ankles or durable athletic shoes as an alternative. Avoid sandals, sneakers, or similar footwear as they offer little to no protection.
5. Visibility Enhancement: Enhance visibility for other motorists by opting for brightly colored upper body clothing or lightweight reflective vests. Additionally, consider incorporating retro-reflective material on clothing, helmet, and motorcycle to increase visibility, particularly during nighttime rides.
What Happens If You’re in an Accident Without Motorcycle Safety Gear
Wearing the proper motorcycle safety gear does not only protect you from injuries if you’re ever in an accident. It also sets you up for a strong case for compensation when filing a claim with your insurance or filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit against a negligent driver.
Riding without motorcycle gear is not illegal in Illinois — for both minors and adults — but that doesn’t mean that your insurance company or opposing party won’t try to use it against you when determining fault for your injuries.
Wearing safety gear every time you ride will show that you did everything in your power to prevent your injuries.
Steps to Take if Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
Even with the best motorcycle safety gear, injuries are still possible especially when the accident involved another motor vehicle. Here are some steps to take if you are injured in a motorcycle accident.
1. Seek medical attention right away.
If you’ve been injured, call 9-1-1 right away. Be sure to get checked out at the hospital so all your injuries are clearly documented. Hopefully you were wearing the best motorcycle safety gear to help protect you from major injuries.
2. Exchange insurance information if other drivers were involved.
Make sure not to skip this step. It’s always best to go through someone’s insurance than to take their word for compensation. It will be helpful to show insurance companies that you took every precaution to protect yourself from injuries by choosing the right gear to ride in.
3. Take pictures and document everything that happened.
Law enforcement will often take pictures once they arrive on the scene. But if you’re able, it’s always a good idea to take pictures of your own. Also, as soon as you can, write down everything you remember about what happened as details can get fuzzy over time.
4. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can help ensure the process with your insurance runs smoothly as insurance companies are often looking to pay as little as possible. A lawyer can also file a motorcycle accident lawsuit against negligent parties on your behalf.
At Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, our skilled Chicago team has the experience to help maximize the compensation you may be owed following a motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a FREE consultation and find out why thousands say… Larry wins!
