Choosing gear to prevent motorcycle accidents and reduce injuries
There are many things riders can do to reduce the likelihood of becoming involved in a motorcycle accident. Foremost among these is riding responsibly.
There are even steps motorcyclists can take to reduce the likelihood of being involved in motorcycle accident that is not their fault.
Perhaps the most effective way a rider can do this is by choosing clothing that is conspicuous to other road users.
Generally known as high-visibility clothing, this kind of gear can make a real difference to the safety of motorcyclists.
Bright yellows and bright pinks are among the very loud colours recommended by road safety groups. Having a striped or polka dotted design on this kind of high-visibility clothing will further help make a rider conspicuous to other road users and lessen the chances of a motorcycle accident.
Dark earthy colours are best avoided. Anything which camouflages or blends a rider in with his surroundings should be considered a hazard. A rider in black can be hard to make out against the road, while a rider in greens and browns will often merge with the scenery.
If a rider really has no choice but to wear one of these inconspicuous colours, wearing a high-visibility vest should be considered an absolute necessity.
Other requirements of motorcycle clothing
As well as offering the rider high-visibility so as to avoid a motorcycle accident, rider clothing should also offer as much as protection as possible in the event of an accident.
Firstly, one piece motorcycling suits are always more preferable to two piece versions. As one pieces will not separate or tear in all but the worst circumstances, they offer far better all over body protection than any two piece alternative.
All motorcycling suits should be reinforced in areas where the body is most at risk of personal injury in a motorbike accident. Generally speaking, these would be the knees, elbows, thighs, shoulders, hips, back and seat.
Secondly, all protective clothing for motorcyclists should offer protection from personal injury in two further ways.
One of these is protection from impact. This is provided in the shape of padding or armour. Padding and armour protect by absorbing and dissipating the force of impact. Armour and padding can come separately or together in a combination which is known as Knox Armour.
Protection from abrasion injuries is the other essential requirement. Although in most everyday situations our skin and clothes offer good protection from abrasion injury, in a motorcycle accident the need for special protective gear is a necessity.
Motorcycle leathers provides excellent protection from abrasion as do two specially designed synthetic materials, known respectively as Kevlar and Cordura.
It goes without saying that all protective gear should comply with standards set by the European Personal Protective Equipment legislation. Furthermore, motorcycling body armour should meet the requirements of the European Standard.
For those who want the ultimate protection from motorcycling accident injuries, the Cambridge Standard has been developed by the Cambridge University Protective Clothing Research Facility.
Their standards are considered by many to be the nearest to foolproof of any testing agency. Consequently, very few items of protective clothing and equipment meet this standard.
Making a no win, no fee claim for motorcycle accident compensation
If you have been in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault and have suffered personal injuries as a result, then the chances are that you are entitled to claim compensation.
The personal injury solicitors on our panel have years of experience in successfully representing motorcycle accident compensation claimants.
All are governed by the high standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and possess resounding success rates.
Win or lose, we guarantee that you will not have to pay either us or the opposing legal side a single penny in costs or fees.
Furthermore, we never take a cut of any of our client's damages awards, meaning you get to keep 100% compensation.
To begin your path to motorcycle accident compensation today, simply call 0800 10 757 95 and speak to a skilled legal advisor.
Alternatively, you may wish to first fill out an online claims form or discuss your claim using the e-chat facility.
If you would like to speak to someone but don't have the time right now, you can click here to arrange a call back request.
