Motorcycle Safety Gear To Help Prevent Serious Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can be devastating because you are exposed to the full force of the collision. Fortunately, motorcycle safety gear can often protect you in case of an accident. However, if you were already hurt in a Detroit motorcycle accident by another driver, you need fair financial compensation to cover your bills and recover. You should not have to cover out-of-pocket costs when another driver is negligent, and our Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with your case.
Michigan Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycle accidents pose a significant challenge in Michigan, with thousands of incidents recorded each year. A comprehensive understanding of the latest statistics and trends is vital for both riders and policymakers who are striving to enhance safety protocols and decrease fatalities on the roads.
Recent data underscores the ongoing dangers faced by motorcyclists in Michigan. In 2022, the state reported a total of 3,158 motorcycle accidents, resulting in 173 tragic fatalities. The following year, 2023, exhibited a slight decline, with 3,056 crashes and 165 fatalities recorded. While these figures indicate a marginal improvement in safety, they also highlight that motorcycle accidents continue to be a critical issue that requires unwavering attention and action.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
A variety of factors contribute to the occurrence of motorcycle crashes in Michigan. Understanding these can help implement preventive measures:
Failure to Yield
A significant number of accidents happen when other drivers fail to see motorcyclists or neglect to yield the right of way. This negligence often leads to collisions at intersections.
Speeding
Excessive speed is not just a violation of traffic laws; it dramatically increases the severity of injuries sustained in crashes. Reduced reaction times at high speeds mean that motorcyclists are less equipped to evade potential dangers.
Alcohol Use
Driving under the influence remains a leading cause of motorcycle fatalities. Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times, exacerbating the risks associated with riding.
Road Conditions
The condition of the roads plays a crucial role in rider safety. Potholes, wet surfaces, and debris can create hazardous conditions that put motorcyclists at risk, particularly when corners are involved or during inclement weather.
Left-Turn Collisions
A considerable percentage of motorcycle accidents involve vehicles making left turns in front of oncoming motorcyclists. This scenario is particularly perilous at intersections where visibility may be compromised.
Fatality Rates and Safety Concerns
Motorcyclists are disproportionately at risk for severe and fatal injuries compared to occupants of passenger vehicles. National statistics reveal that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an accident than those in cars. In Michigan, a striking 84% of motorcycle crashes that involve another vehicle occur on busier streets. These incidents frequently happen during turning maneuvers, where motorcyclists may be overlooked by drivers of larger vehicles.
Helmet Use and Accident Outcomes
In Michigan, legislation permits riders aged 21 and older to operate motorcycles without wearing helmets, provided they meet specific insurance and experience criteria. However, research consistently indicates that helmet use significantly mitigates the risk of sustaining head injuries and ultimately reduces mortality rates in motorcycle accidents. States with stringent helmet laws generally report lower fatality rates among motorcyclists, reinforcing the importance of protective gear.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Initiatives such as “Look Twice. Save a Life” serve to remind drivers to be vigilant and cautious around motorcycles, aiming to foster greater awareness and responsibility on the roads.
Rider Training Programs
Michigan offers comprehensive motorcycle safety courses that focus on improving rider skills, equipping them with the knowledge needed to navigate roads safely and handle emergencies effectively.
Infrastructure Improvements
The state is actively engaged in assessing and repairing road conditions, while also upgrading signage to better inform both motorcyclists and other motorists of potential hazards.
What Motorcycle Safety Gear Do You Need?
Staying safe on a motorcycle means defensive driving, obeying traffic laws, and wearing some or all of the following motorcycle safety gear. This critical gear can protect you from an accident collision, weather, road debris, and more.
Helmet
Nothing is more critical on your motorcycle safety gear list than a helmet. Everyone knows protecting your head in an accident can prevent serious injury and death. Severe head injuries usually require the most accident recovery, and sadly, some accident victims never recover from these injuries and even die.
Many excellent helmet options exist, but the most protective has a face and eye shield. The best models have a full or partial face shield, but if you want an open-face product, you must also invest in goggles.Regardless, the helmet must be DOT approved.
Gloves
Like motorcycle riding jackets and other safety clothes, gloves can be purchased in Kevlar, leather, Cordura, or a combination of these materials. Many motorcycle gloves have additional padding for the palms and knuckles to prevent road rash if you go down. There are gloves available that offer wrist protection, too.
Jacket
A motorcycle jacket protects your body if you go down and reduces the chances of injury in a crash. Most jackets are composed of Kevlar, Cordura, or leather, protecting skin from road rash. For impact protection, your jacket should have extra padding for the shoulders, elbows, and back. There are even some motorcycle jackets fitted with airbags!
For the most versatile motorcycle jacket, opt for a removable liner and venting you can adjust. These features make the jacket more comfortable for hot or cold weather. No matter the style you prefer, there are motorcycle jackets that will protect you on the road.
Boots
Motorcycle boots are sometimes overlooked, but they are critical to keeping you safe on the road. Wearing regular shoes, or worse, flip flops, while riding can leave your feet dangerously exposed in an accident.
Motorcycle boots need to be lightweight, strong, and weatherproof. They also need plenty of stiffness to protect you but still be flexible enough when you walk. It is recommended to have motorcycle boots with more padding in the left one so you do not hurt your foot while cycling through gears.
The sole of the boot is also of critical importance. Detroit road surfaces vary, and conditions change in bad weather. So, your motorcycle boots must offer plenty of grip and resist oil and other fluids on the streets. Plus, most motorcycles weigh hundreds of pounds, so a proper boot should give you enough ankle support so your feet do not tire when you stop in traffic.
Bright-Colored Vest
The most common reason for motorcycle accidents is when the car driver does not see them. You can make yourself visible on the road with a high-visibility, reflective vest. This gear dramatically increases your safety and is inexpensive. Highway construction crews have used such vests for decades to avoid accidents, so more bikers have chosen them in recent years.
Many high-quality motorcycle jackets are available in reflective and bright colors. But if your is black or another dark color, simply add an inexpensive, high-visibility vest.
Even With Gear, Injuries Can Still Happen
Motorcyclists can protect themselves with gear and defensive riding, but bikes still lack the safety features and protection of cars. Because motorcycle riders are exposed on the road, there is still the chance that a reckless driver can hit and severely injure them. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle crash and another driver was at fault, you could receive compensation for your losses.
Payment for your medical expenses lost earnings, and property damage you did not cause may come from a settlement from the driver’s insurance policy. But if the insurance provider refuses to compensate you fairly, you may need your attorney to file a lawsuit.
How To Avoid Motorcycle Accidents
It is wise to wear motorcycle safety gear in case of an accident, but avoiding a crash is best. You can often avoid motorcycle crashes by using these safety tips:
Drive The Speed Limit
The faster you ride your bike, the less time you have to react to stopped cars, vehicles turning in front of you, road debris, etc. For example, driving 10 MPH over the speed limit could make it harder to anticipate a curve in the road. If you enter the curve too fast, losing control and crashing is more likely.
Take A Look Behind You At Intersections
Many motorcycle accidents happen because drivers do not see them. This is why motorcycles are often hit from behind at traffic signals and stop signs. You can avoid this problem by looking behind you when stopped. If it appears that a car needs to slow down faster, pull onto the road shoulder immediately.
Understand How To Drive Safely When Road Hazards Are Present
If you ride a motorcycle enough, you will deal with road hazards eventually. These hazards might be train tracks, slick pavement, potholes, rocks, branches, or even blown-out tires.
You need to know how to maneuver safely around road hazards without crashing. These maneuvering and braking methods can help you negotiate these hazards safely. One way to learn these safety methods is by taking a motorcycle safety course in your community. You will learn these and other defensive driving methods to stay safe.
Contact Our Detroit Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
While Michigan has experienced a slight reduction in motorcycle accidents, the risks associated with riding remain significant. It is imperative for motorcyclists to prioritize their safety by wearing helmets, adhering to traffic regulations, and maintaining a heightened state of awareness while riding. Similarly, drivers of all vehicle types must cultivate mindfulness of motorcyclists to prevent tragic collisions. By adopting a collaborative approach, Michigan can make continued strides in enhancing motorcycle safety and further reducing accident rates.
Did another driver hit your motorcycle recently in Detroit? You could have severe injuries, so you should have your case handled by an attorney. Contact our Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer today at Ravid & Associates, P.C., at (248) 948-9696.
(Updated 5/7/2025)
