Tips For Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents in the Rain
| January 24th, 2023
Stormy, rainy, and icy weather increase the risk of accidents, especially for motorcycle riders. Roads become slippery, and the rain obstructs visibility, making it easy to lose control. If a motorcyclist has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Sacramento, they should get in touch with a motorcycle injury lawyer in Sacramento. At Berg Injury Lawyers we offer a free consultation, where we assess the merits of your case and advise of your legal options.
This article discusses safety tips that can help you avoid motorcycle accidents when riding in the rain.
Use Rain Gear
When thinking about rain gear, you must consider more than simply clothing that will keep you warm and dry. You must consider safety as well.
So, in addition to warm clothing, you should invest in a pair of gloves with grips to prevent your hands from slipping off the handlebars. You should also have a full-face helmet or shield to protect your eyes from the rain. Consider a helmet visor that does not get foggy or that is designed to improve visibility when it rains.
Another important thing in your rain gear arsenal is a pair of high-traction tires. These types of tires may need replacing more often, but it is better to spend a few dollars now and then than risk severe or fatal injuries.
Be Visible
Motorcyclists should stand out in low visibility and low light conditions. Candlepower bulbs have a higher light output than traditional headlamp bulbs, so you should consider them to increase visibility from the front. You should also install a brake light modulator to increase visibility from behind. Finally, be sure to wear bright and reflective gear to make yourself more visible.
Check Your Tires
Worn-out tires can cause the air pressure in your tires to go low or lead to dangerous blowouts. Under-inflated tires increase your chances of having an accident, even when riding in dry conditions. They also cause poor braking performance, poor handling, and reduced riding precision. These effects are enhanced in rainy or snowy weather.
You can avoid unnecessary accidents by inspecting your tires beforehand to ensure they are not worn out and that they have enough pressure.
Give Yourself More Time to Brake
Braking too fast can cause your motorcycle’s wheels to spin out. To avoid this, you should give yourself extra time to brake, and stop if the need arises. If you need to stop or reduce speed, you must brake earlier than you usually would, then ease into it.
Also, you might need to focus harder to see things in the rain. Going slower and keeping extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will give more time to notice and react to hazards on the road.
Slow Down and Ride Safely
The faster you go, the higher the risk of hydroplaning. Riding fast also increases your lean angle, which is dangerous in slippery conditions. To avoid an accident, you must ride slower in the rain than you normally would. If you need to be somewhere by a particular time, you should leave earlier than usual to give yourself time to slow down and drive safely
Stand Up
Another safety measure when riding in the rain is standing up from time to time as you ride to remove the water that pools on your laps. If left for too long, water could seep past the zipper of your riding gear, making you uncomfortable and reducing your attention.
Never Tailgate
When traveling at highway speeds in normal weather conditions, you should always maintain 275 ft. between you and the vehicle ahead of you. This distance should be doubled when it is raining because you need that much more time to stop safely.
Be aware of “Black Ice”
Black ice is a glaze that forms on the roadway when light rain mixes with oil and grime and freezes over. It often blends in with the rest of the roadway but is actually translucent and very slippery.
Black ice is dangerous because it is hard to detect. Be wary of areas on the road ahead that look smoother and shinier than other parts of the road, especially at night and in the early morning.
Also, take note of any car ahead of you that suddenly swerves for no apparent reason. It probably hit a patch of black ice that you want to avoid. If you find yourself riding over black ice, slow down and avoid accelerating or braking until you have passed over it.
Avoid Puddles
It can be hard to know what is inside a puddle and how deep it is. What may seem shallow can damage or stop your wheels and throw you off your motorcycle. A puddle can also contain sharp objects that can puncture your tires. Riding over a puddle also increases the risk of hydroplaning. For these reasons, you should avoid puddles completely.
Look Out for Manhole Covers
You should avoid manhole covers and other metal surfaces because they could be raised, loose, or slippery. If you must ride over them, you should cross them in a straight line slowly without accelerating or braking.
Use Extra Caution at Intersections
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 70% of all car vs. motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Some causes of accidents in intersections include left-turning cars and rear-end accidents. Therefore, you should pay extra attention to every vehicle and motorcycle in an intersection and determine who has the right of way.
If you get involved in an accident at an intersection, speak to a personal injury lawyer immediately. With the help of a Motorcycle injury lawyer, Sacramento motorcyclists who are involved in accidents can hold the at fault party financially accountable for their injuries, the damage to their bikes, and other related losses.
Ride the Dry Line
If there is a dry area on the road or pavement, use it. If not, try riding in the tire tracks of other motorcycles and cars ahead of you, as their tires may have pushed water off the road briefly. But be sure to keep your eyes on the road as you ride the dry line.
Know When Not to Get Out on the Road
If your tires and rain gear are not fit for riding in the rain, do not go riding. Likewise, you should avoid getting out on the road if the rain is too heavy or if there are reports of flooding.
Know When to Get Off the Road
After all the safety measures mentioned above, riding a motorcycle in the rain is still dangerous, and your safety is still not guaranteed. Therefore, if you decide to ride in the rain, it is important that you recognize when it is time to get off. For instance, there is no point in risking your life by continuing to ride after a slight downpour has turned into a storm. Simply find a safe place to pull over and wait until the storm has passed.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in Sacramento?
The tips above can help you reduce the risk of having a motorcycle accident if you are forced to ride in the rain. If possible, you should keep rain gear strapped to your bike or stored in your saddlebags in case you need them when riding.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Sacramento, a motorcycle injury lawyer at Berg Injury Lawyers can help you. Our dedicated, compassionate, and determined lawyers protect the rights of injury victims throughout Northern California.
Contact us today for a free case assessment.
