Protective Gear Can Reduce Motorcycle Accident Injuries
One of the many reasons that people choose to ride a motorcycle is the feeling of freedom they provide. Without a steel frame, there is nothing between a motorcycle rider and the road. Unfortunately, this lack of a protective cage is also what puts riders at risk for catastrophic injuries, or death, in a crash.
One way that riders can minimize injury severity in a crash is with protective gear. Working with numerous crash victims, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau have seen how protective gear can reduce motorcycle accident injuries. We encourage all riders in Daytona Beach, FL, Palm Coast, FL, and surrounding areas to take advantage of safety gear that can save their lives.
Motorcycle Fatality Risks
As fun as motorcycles can be, they pose a real risk to riders. While motorcycles are not necessarily more prone to be involved in a crash, riders are more likely to sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries when a crash occurs.
According to data reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2018. This is actually a 5 percent decrease from the previous year, but it is still disproportionate based on how many motorcycles are on the road and involved in accidents.
To minimize accident injuries and fatalities, riders must rely on personal protective equipment. There are several key pieces of protective gear that have proven vital in reducing the severity of motorcycle accident injuries.
Helmets
Helmets are the most vital piece of protective gear for a motorcyclist, which is why they are legally required in most states. Motorcycle helmets protect the head and face from penetration or abrasion, while absorbing the impact of an accident to minimize trauma to the head, brain, and neck. Since head injuries are a leading cause of death for motorcycle accident victims, this piece of protective gear can truly be lifesaving.
Leather
It is important to protect not only the head and neck when riding a motorcycle, but also the body. One of the most common motorcycle accident injuries is road rash. Road rash describes abrasions and contusions along the body. While some road rash injuries may damage just the surface of the skin, others can be deep enough to damage underlying tissues. Riders should wear a leather jacket and pants to protect against road rash. Other good alternatives to leather include Kevlar and Cordura.
Boots
To protect themselves from the risk of burns, foot, leg, and knee injuries, motorcyclists should wear a pair of tall, sturdy boots when riding. Boots should be tall enough to cover the ankles, have a non-slip sole, and be made of a durable material such as leather.
Gloves
Gloves are a piece of protective gear that are not used by motorcyclists as often as they should be. Gloves protect against the wind to keep the hands warm so that they remain more flexible. Gloves also give riders a better grip on motorcycle handles. Finally, if an accident occurs, gloves can protect against abrasions and cuts along the hands and fingers.
Contact Us
Even with proper protective gear, motorcycle accidents can result in injuries and costly financial losses. If you would like to find out how the motorcycle accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can help you collect compensation for accident damages, send us a message at your earliest convenience or call our Daytona Beach law firm at (386) 258-7313.