Overall, motorcyclists are skilled, alert drivers, following traffic and upholding their duty of care to everyone else on the road. However, defensive driving is not always enough to prevent an accident.
Motorcycle safety gear does not guarantee you will not sustain an injury in an accident, but it significantly reduces the risk of more severe injuries and death.
After a crash, you can navigate the civil legal system with the help of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at Sevenish Law Firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, to hold the party liable for your losses accountable for their negligence.
Types of Motorcycle Safety Gear
In 2020, the number of motorcyclist deaths in the U.S. was almost 28 times the number of people who died while driving cars. Motorcycle riders are unquestionably more vulnerable to severe injuries and death. However, proper motorcycle gear can reduce the potential for deadly injuries.
Thick clothing
Pants and coats or jackets made from thicker material, such as leather and canvas, protect the body in the event of an accident. For example, in almost any collision, a motorcyclist may skid forcefully across pavement or gravel. Any exposed skin can sustain severe road rash and lacerations.
Thick materials covering the arms, chest, abdomen and legs may sustain damage but protect the skin. A fully protective suit designed for motorcyclists can reduce the risk of immense physical pain and extended hospital stays.
Helmets
Indiana law minimally covers motorcycle safety gear. It only mandates helmet laws for motorcyclists under the age of 18. Anyone over 18 is not legally liable for not wearing a helmet, though they must wear protective glasses, goggles or a face shield. Regardless, riders without helmets are much more likely to sustain severe head injuries than those who ride helmeted.
Boots and gloves
During a crash, motorcyclists may instinctively throw out their hands and feet to protect themselves. This is the most common cause of road rash and broken bones in motorcycle collisions. Riding gloves and high-quality boots are the best defense to protect hands, wrists, feet and ankles.
Why You Need Proper Motorcycle Gear
When you purchase quality, tested gear, there are benefits in daily wear and in the event of an accident:
- Protects against harsh weather: Treated leather, helmets, gloves, goggles and face shields protect you from the cold air blowing in your face and reduce the risk of severe respiratory issues.
- Provides cushioning for falls: Even the most experienced riders can hit gravel or poor road conditions and lose control. Falling in the wrong position can cause serious injuries, and your gear is the only thing between you and the hard surface.
- Saves your life: Motorcycle accidents are among the most deadly types of auto accidents. Sometimes the only thing between a rider and death is a helmet.
Wearing your motorcycle safety gear protects your financial security as well. Motorcycle insurance is commonly high, given the risk of severe injury. Accidents can increase premiums, and medical expenses can pile quickly. Safety gear for motorcycle riders is an investment, communicating to insurance providers that you are a responsible rider.
Common injuries from a motorcycle accident
The results of a motorcycle accident can range from minor scrapes and bruises to disabling injuries. In addition to road rash and broken bones, other common injuries include:
- Severe burns
- Disfigurement, including amputation
- Facial fractures
- Spinal cord and back injuries, including broken vertebrae
- Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries are the most severe. People with pre-existing conditions are much more vulnerable to recurring or worsening injuries, and victims may face temporary or permanent paralysis from damage to the spinal cord. Traumatic brain injuries can range from concussions to hemorrhaging, potentially causing life-long disability.
How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Also Protects You
Whether you regularly wear motorcycle safety gear or not, you deserve compensation for losses when someone else causes an accident resulting in severe injuries and property damage.
That is where a personal injury attorney can step in to help build your claim for losses such as medical expenses, lost income and the pain and suffering associated with your injuries. If you lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident, you deserve compensation for the emotional pain of your loss.
Your legal representation can investigate the accident and gather the evidence necessary to prove negligence and your losses. They also handle all communication with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. Motorcycle crashes are costly, and when the stakes are high, you want someone you can trust to appropriately value your claim and fight for a fair settlement.
Contact an Indiana Motorcycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Unfortunately, even an alert rider abiding by traffic laws and following all the motorcycle safety gear standards can sustain severe injuries due to another driver’s carelessness. At Sevenish Law Firm, we fight to protect the rights of motorcycle accident victims and believe they deserve compensation for their financial, physical and emotional losses.
If you or a loved one have recently suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident due to a negligent driver, contact Sevenish Law Firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, to speak with one of our experienced attorneys and schedule your free consultation today.
