Unfortunately, we can’t always prevent motorcycle accidents. No matter what you do you can’t control another person. However, there are some things that you can do at home that can actually help protect you. The proper motorcycle maintenance not only ensures that your motorcycle is in good condition, but can also help to prevent crashes.
Here are key parts of your bike to examine in order to ensure you will be safe.
1. Look at your tires, wheels, and brakes.
Before each ride, it’s important to look at your tires, wheels, and brakes for their wear and tread depth. Take a look at the air pressure in your tires and add air if it is necessary. Test your brakes to ensure that they are working properly.
2. Check and confirm that your controls are working properly.
While you may not be able to fix controls if they aren’t working, it’s likely that you’ll still be able to identify the problem on your own. Before each ride ensure that your throttle, cables, hoses, levels and pedals, and handlebars are working properly. When in doubt about your ability to replace or fix something, seek professional help from a local repair shop. Also, check to be sure that your mirrors are clean and not cracked.
3. Ensure that your lights and electric features are in order.
The lights on your bike and headlamp are extremely important. That’s why you should check them before each ride. If the bulb is merely burned out, you can change it at home. A professional can handle electrical issues, such as insulation coming off of wires (unless you know what you are doing).
4. Always check your oil and fluid levels before a ride.
As with a car, ensuring that you have enough oil and other fluids is essential before a ride. If necessary, top off anything that needs it before your ride. After your ride, look to see if there are any leaks. You can determine this by looking for any drops that are coming off through cracks.
5. Examine your frame and suspension before and after each ride.
Before each ride take a look at the frame, suspension, belt/chain, and fasteners on your bike. While you may have an idea of what to do if a part must be replaced, you can always allow a professional to do it for you if you are at all uncertain. This ensures that it is done properly.
While there is certainly a lot to examine on your bike before and after each ride, it shouldn’t take you that long. It can also be the difference between being safe and becoming seriously injured.
The Attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. Can Help
While these practices may help to prevent motorcycle crashes, such crashes are certain to still occur. Often times, these crashes are due to motor vehicle drivers’ failure to see motorcycles. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should not have to be bear the burden alone. When you are already dealing with so much, the last thing that you want to do is to have to worry about tackling the legalities of your situation. The Michigan personal injury attorneys at Miller & Tischler, P.C. will fight for the compensation that you deserve. We understand the seriousness of your injury and the physical, emotional, and financial hardships that you have endured (and will continue to endure). We will gather the necessary evidence and build a case to help you receive the most optimal outcome. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!