If you ride a motorcycle, you already know that it's important for you to wear the right safety gear, have a good helmet, and obey the traffic laws if you want to avoid an accident. It's also a good idea to take a driving course (even if you've been riding for a while) in order to learn how to manage your bike in all kinds of conditions.
Unfortunately, even the best-prepared motorcyclist can't avoid all of the problems out there on the road. Here are some of the top dangers you can expect to encounter:
1. Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is near epidemic in the United States today -- and most experts think that it has a lot to do with the popularity of mobile devices. Cellphones today are more powerful than many computers were just a decade ago, and they're ultimately very entertaining -- and distracting. Some drivers simply don't know when to put down their phones. They'll talk and text even while behind the wheel, convinced that they can multi-task better than others.
In addition to cellphones, drivers also have a host of other distractions, like the GPS systems in their cars, radios, and passengers during a long commute. Some drivers also routinely eat and drink while driving -- which presents another distraction that most drivers don't think of as remotely serious.
2. Drunk And High Drivers
There have been some pretty aggressive campaigns against drunk driving in the past few years -- but that doesn't mean that the message is getting through. In addition, it's more common than ever for drivers to be impaired through the use of both prescription and non-prescription drugs. States with legalized weed, for example, are experiencing recent spikes in the number of highway accidents they see.
3. The "Invisible Biker" Syndrome
In recent years, researchers have confirmed what many motorcyclists have known for decades -- the drivers of other vehicles can look right at them without actually seeing them, especially when a biker is alone. It's almost as if a lone motorcycle somehow becomes invisible!
The problem has to do with the way that human brains tend to automatically filter out whatever they don't expect to see and don't consider important. A lone motorcycle registers as "less of a threat" -- and therefore becomes less noticeable to other drivers.
4. Blind Spots
All passenger cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles have blind spots -- and some of them are pretty large. A motorcycle can actually be swallowed up inside one of those blind spots fairly easily, making it harder than ever for a biker to stay safe.
Were you injured while riding your motorcycle due to another driver's negligence? If so, a personal injury attorney may be able to help you.
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