We are in the midst of the greatest time of year to be out riding your motorcycle. For some, there is no better way to get around then on two wheels, but what happens when those two wheels break down and you’re stuck on the side of the road or worse, a piece of equipment fails and you find yourself in a Connecticut motorcycle accident.
When you get on your bike to head out for a ride you are not expecting to run into any issues, but if you don’t perform some basic checks before you go you might find yourself in a situation that is unsafe and could cause you to become injured. Spending a few extra minutes or even an hour or so getting your bike ready before you go on a ride is the best thing you can do to keep yourself safe.
The good news is that most of these checks are quick and easy to do without a whole lot of mechanical knowledge. If there is something on the list that you don’t feel comfortable doing you should consult a mechanic, but most of this you should be able to do unless you are a complete novice of a motorcycle rider.
1.) Tire check. The most important thing you can do when you’re riding a vehicle that has two wheels is to check to make sure those tires are properly taken care of so you are getting maximum grip with the road. You will want to make sure they are inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) recommended by the manufacturer. This is something you will want to be consistently checking because tire pressure fluctuates quite often with the temperature and if you’re not checking the pressure you could be putting yourself at risk.
2.) Turn signal check. You may need someone to help you perform this check, but it will be worth the small favor to keep you safe while you’re out riding. To do this, simply stand your bike up and flip on your left signal and your right signal and have the person you are working with stand behind you to make sure that the light blinks on and off, it is really that simple. If it doesn’t, you may need to replace a bulb or get into some electrical work which may require you to seek the assistance of a mechanic to solve the issue. It is a critical one, so make sure you don’t skip this step.
3.) Handlebar check. Without good, solid steering you could be in a heap of trouble when you’re riding your motorcycle. Making sure your handlebars are properly tightened and adjusted can be the difference between getting into an accident and arriving at your destination safely. If you aren’t sure how to adjust the handlebars correctly you may want to seek the expertise of a motorcycle mechanic to make sure you are operating your motorcycle properly.
Not performing the above checks will not guarantee you will get into a Connecticut motorcycle accident, just like performing them will not guarantee you that you won’t get into an accident, but taking these small steps will set you up for safety along the way. There is nothing worse than getting into an accident because you failed to take a few extra minutes to check the important equipment on your motorcycle.
If you end up getting into an accident and get injured you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience handling situations like yours. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will learn about your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.
