Motorcycle accidents and the importance of hydration

Staying well hydrated is vital to all human beings. Put simply, without water we die. But, of course, it is only under very extreme circumstances that the danger of death caused directly by dehydration will be of concern. However, for motorcyclists, dehydration while out riding on the roads can have very serious consequences, and may even result in a fatal motorcycle accident.

The dangers of rider dehydration are never more acute than in summer, a time when heightened temperatures result in our bodies heating more quickly and perspiring more readily, meaning that riders must drink plenty of fluids.

The effects of dehydration on physical performance are well documented. Dehydration can lead to damaging changes in our cardiovascular, thermoregulatory and metabolic systems, all with the effect of making a rider less comfortable and less alert.

Dehydration can also cause undermine the function of the central nervous system, impairing visuomotor, psychomotor and cognitive functions - that is, sight, movement and understanding. These changes are probably the most worrying, as they are vital to safe riding, and any impairment of them will greatly increase the likelihood of a motorcycle accident.

The effects of rider dehydration can be greatly compounded if personal protective clothing does not provide sufficient ventilation.

One motorbike blogger who was forced to go to Accident and Emergency suffering from dehydration in the summer of 2003 explains this risk, recounting what an A&E doctor told him:

"Your protective clothing had you sealed in from head to foot, so it was like being in a pressure cooker. As your body heat increased, your blood vessels dilated in an attempt to cool you down. And went too far. Excessive dilation meant your blood was not getting round the body, which is why you started to get dizzy. Add that to dehydration from the heat and you were literally starting to boil over."

No win, no fee motorbike accident compensation specialists
The no win, no fee solicitors on YouClaim's panel firms understand that the circumstances of riders differ from those of other road users.

We also understand that compensation claims for accidents involving motorbikes are different from those that only involve cars and require different skills and knowledge on the part of your legal representation.

This is why we have no win, no fee solicitors on our panel firms who specialise in representing the claims of riders.

They know the law as it applies to you inside out and have, over the years, forged an excellent success rate.

When handling a motorcycle accident compensation claim we never charge a single penny in fees, costs or disbursements, while protecting you from those incurred by the opposing legal side.

Furthermore, our no-cuts commitment delivers 100% compensation in every winning case, as the majority of ours are.

Getting in touch with us is easy. Just fill out a claim form, have an echat, or phone us now, on 0800 10 757 95.