Warm springtime weather offers the perfect opportunity to get back on your bike and explore. An avid rider himself, New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney Brad Tabakin created Bikers Have Rights in hopes of spreading awareness on how to protect your rights as a biker. Today, we’d like to share a few spring-specific safety tips that every New Jersey biker should know.
4 Strategies to Help You Ride Safer This Spring
- If bad weather strikes, pull over – Spring is notorious for sudden rain showers that can decrease visibility and leave the roads slick. If you find yourself caught in the rain on your bike, pulling over to wait out the storm in a spot that’s a safe distance from traffic is your best bet.
- Check your bike before your ride – It’s probably second nature to check the clutch, throttle, mirrors and brakes before you get on the road, but for a more thorough check, you can look under the bike for any signs of an oil/gas leak, test the lights, make sure you’ve checked the hydraulic/coolant levels in the last week, and that your tires have enough pressure and no defects.
- Ride defensively – Drivers are not typically in a state where they’re looking out for the safety riders on the road. They also may not have experience driving around motorcycles or know about sharing the road safely. Know that drivers may not see you, especially when turning or changing lanes.
- Allow plenty of space to stop – When riding behind another vehicle, it’s important to maintain a following distance of at least 3-4 seconds (doubling that in rainy or wet conditions). Also keep in mind that when traveling with extra cargo or a passenger, the increased weight can make it so you need more space to come to a complete stop.
For more helpful tips and to stay in the loop on our news & updates, be sure to join the Bikers Have Rights community on Facebook.
Seeking Skillful Legal Representation Following a Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, even when you take every precaution in your power to avoid incidents, it is still possible to be involved in a motorcycle accident. If you have been injured in a crash, contact Brad Tabakin for assistance determining your rights and the appropriate next steps.
As a highly knowledgeable, trusted Pennsylvania & New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney, Brad has decades of experience representing bikers during litigation and settlement negotiations. For a free case evaluation, contact him today at 877-333-0300.