Motorcycle enthusiasts will attest that there’s no thrill quite like soaring down an open road while the wind blows through your hair. The inherent risk of the activity is, of course, part of the thrill, but as a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer, your safety is my concern. And motorcyclists have to be more careful than drivers — in fact, more careful than ever before.

Riding a motorcycle is much more dangerous than driving a car — and fatalities are on the rise.

It’s been long established that motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in an accident than drivers. The injuries are also more severe, ranging from traumatic brain injuries to spinal injuries and severed limbs. It makes sense: motorcycles are less stable than cars during emergency braking and swerving. Drivers do not always spot motorcyclists from afar, and during crashes, there isn’t the extra protection you have with cars.

Fatalities are more common with motorcycles. In 2016, there were nearly 28 times as many deaths on motorcycles than cars in the U.S. per mile traveled.

Despite more helmet laws and safety measures, fatal motorcycle accidents are on the rise. 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2017 — more than double the number in 1997.

Safety tips from a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer

  • Leave enough distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. When a car merges, allow plenty of space.
  • At red lights, try to stop to the side of the lane.
  • You’ll need to apply a different amount of pressure to the brakes than you do while driving. Practice riding and braking in an empty lot.
  • Use your mirrors — often! Frequently check them to see what’s behind you.

Finally, this one should go without saying, but it bears repeating: Always wear a helmet. Helmets can be the difference between life and death. They can save you from brain injuries. Some studies have found that they lower the risk of death by almost 40%. Motorcyclists without helmets are 3 times as likely to have a traumatic brain injury. Plus, here in Tennessee — and almost everywhere in the U.S., for that matter — it’s the law.

Get help from an experienced Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, call me for a free consultation. My experience as a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer will help you receive the compensation you deserve.