If you are a seasoned motorcyclist living in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or other city in the great state of California, you probably think you know all you need to about riding here. We’ve assembled an even dozen safety facts that might be news even to you and are certainly important to know regarding motorcycle riding in general, safety, the law in California, and more (source: the California Motorcycle Handbook, which you can read in its entirety at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/.)
- If you are involved in a motorcycle accident that results in $1,000 or more of damage, you must by law submit a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California to the DMV. This amount increased in 2017 from the previous $750 threshold.
- To operate a motorcycle with a sidecar or three-wheels, a Class C license is required.
- The majority of motorcycle accidents occur during short trips – under five miles!
- Motorcycle windshields do not provide sufficient protection against wind or debris blowing into your eyes. Neither do ordinary glasses. Instead wear a helmet with a face shield or goggles.
- Riding in cold and/or wet weather for long stretches can cause serious physical issues like dehydration, fatigue, and hypothermia. Dress appropriately so that you remain comfortably warm and dry – layered clothing is a good idea.
- Attempting to stop your motorcycle by clutching the front brake or jamming the rear brake could lead to your brakes locking up and losing control. Learn instead how to properly use both brakes in unison to slow down or stop completely.
- There are three possible lane positions: left, center, and right. Choose the best position that will allow you to maximize the space around your bike while remaining clearly visible to other drivers.
- Motorcyclists in California are allowed to use carpool/HOV lanes to travel, unless otherwise posted. Just make sure you only enter and exit an HOV lane where indicated that you may legally do so.
- While lane splitting is legal in California, it isn’t always a good idea. Some risks of lane splitting include being struck by a motorist who suddenly changes lanes, veers into you, or sticks something out of their car window unexpectedly.
- SEE is a three-step method for motorcycle riders to use in order to remain alert to potential dangers on the road. SEE stands for Search, Evaluate, and Execute.
- Most motorcycle crashes involving other vehicles or objects result from riders under-braking their front tire and over-braking the rear, not separating their braking from swerving, or not swerving at all even when it would have been the most appropriate action to take.
- The chances of losing control of your bike increase when riding over these surfaces: uneven or with obstacles (like potholes), slippery due to ice, wet leaves, or puddles, railroad tracks, pavement seams, grooves, and gratings.
Your Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney is standing by
Motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility – yours and other motorists included. Should you suffer injuries due to a Los Angeles motorcycle accident, attorney Scott J. Corwin can help you seek the justice you deserve. Contact Scott for more information at 866-477-1011.
