motorcycle accident

Approaching Corners Too Fast

This is a mistake that almost always leads to an accident. The faster a motorcyclist rides their motorcycle, the harder it is for them to control it. This is especially true for hard corners where the motorcycle can skid out of control and cause an accident.

Motorcyclists must ensure they slow down appropriately when making sharp turns. They should also avoid hitting the brakes too hard, or the bike will skid off even further away from the road.

Failing to Turn Off Your Turn Signal

Forgetting to cancel your turn signal seems like a simple mistake, but it’s an accident waiting to happen. Keeping your turn signal on can mislead the vehicle trailing behind you. Thinking you’re turning in the other direction, the driver might turn in the direction you’re heading and collide with your motorcycle.

Trying to Ride Their Motorcycles Everywhere

This is another mistake that’s dangerous and detrimental to the motorcycle. Most motorcycles are designed to ride on smooth pavements like asphalt roads. As such, they tend to struggle on rocky terrains and even sandy areas.

Riding your motorcycle on rough terrain may prove disastrous, especially if you’re on the wrong type of motorcycle. Certain motorcycles are made to handle rugged and slippery terrain, while others are not.

Regardless of what you saw on TV or social media, it’s generally best to stick to normal paved roads.

St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyer

Regardless of how careful you are, there’s always the possibility that you may be involved in an auto accident. If you have been involved in an auto accident in St. Louis get in touch with our St. Louis auto accident lawyer 24/7 for a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights.

Leg injuries rank among the most common injuries after a motorcycle accident. Here are the four most common and what you can do to protect yourself.

Motorcycles can be an exciting way to travel. However, they generally offer less protection than other types of vehicles, and accidents often result in serious injuries. Leg injuries rank among the most common motorcycle accident injuries. Let’s consider four common leg injuries that result from motorcycle accidents and what you can do to protect yourself.

1. Hip Injuries

These are alarmingly common injuries following a motorcycle accident. For example, the hip may be dislocated, bruised, or the hip bursa may be inflamed. Hip injury may leave you with excruciating pain, weakness, or swelling. It would help to see a doctor immediately to kick start your recovery journey in such a case.

2. Thigh Injuries

A femur fracture is the most common thigh injury in a motorcycle accident. This occurs when a rider lands on their thighs, causing the femur neck or head to break. Typically, these injuries cause severe pain and, in extreme cases, catastrophic damage to your thigh arteries and nerves.

3. Knee Injuries

You may land with your knees bent during a motorcycle accident or hit them on the hard road surface. This may cause kneecap fracture, meniscal tear, or dislocation. If left unattended, knee injuries may lead to tragic complications or permanent impairment.

4. Ankle Injuries

The ankle joint has three bones, tibia, fibula, and talus. During a motorcycle accident, your ankle may be dragged along the road, or the bike may fall on it, thereby shattering or misaligning any of the three bones. The broken bone may pierce your skin, leading to a severe wound and intolerable pain.

How to Protect Yourself from Motorcycle Leg Injuries

The best way to protect your legs when riding a motorcycle is to use motorcycle leg protection, including Kevlar liners, knee brace, hip pads, or riding boots. These protective measures will not only protect your legs from tragic impacts but also debilitating road rash.

Pursuing Compensation

The recovery journey after a motorcycle leg injury can be rocky and treacherous. It often involves extensive surgeries, physical therapy, piling medical bills, and lost wages which can take a toll on you.

Fortunately, you can generally recover your damages if another party is responsible for your motorcycle accident. However, it’s advisable to have an experienced attorney by your side. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will have a good understanding of the laws and procedures around motorcycle accidents and can help you protect your rights and get the compensation you are legally entitled to.

St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Have you been injured in a St. Louis motorcycle accident? At The Hoffmann Law Firm, we have been helping auto accident victims for over 20 years and can help you determine how best to proceed with your case. Give us a call 24/7 for a free case evaluation.

While these suggestions can help you avoid a motorcycle crash and injuries, it is always best to be alert and adhere to all safety measures.

As a motorcycle rider, chances are you’ve heard countless myths on how to avoid motorcycle injuries. One of the common notions is that laying down your bike when you are about to crash could prevent a severe collision. You may be wondering: how true is this? Is it really a helpful safety tip?

The Truth 

Stories of motorcyclists who escaped death by laying down their bikes may be very exciting. However, in most cases, these stories are exaggerated, and the rider won’t talk of the serious injuries they sustained. 

In truth, when a crashing motorcycle is laid down, its plastic parts or metal are in contact with the ground, making it extremely hard to stop. As a result, you could suffer severe brain injuries, spine fractures, road rash, broken limbs, or lacerations. 

Situations When Laying Down Your Motorcycle Was a Safety Tactic 

When motorcycle technology was not developed, laying down a motorcycle was recommended as a safety tactic to avoid injuries. In those days, motorcycles had poor brakes that made it difficult to stop in time before a collision. Additionally, the poor maneuverability of old motorcycles made it challenging to swerve and avoid collisions. 

Now technology has advanced, and laying down may not be the safest alternative. Modern motorcycles are easy to steer, slow down, and control. In addition, they have improved maneuverability, enhanced brake capabilities, and ultra-high-performance tires, unlike in the early days. 

Instead of laying your motorcycle down, consider doing the following: 

• Stay upright: The improved traction on the tires will provide friction and slow you down. Also, try to shift your body weight away from the handlebars to help move your bike’s center of gravity as you slow down. 
• Brake quickly: Your reaction time might make the difference between life and death. You need to squeeze both brakes quickly. This will allow you to stop in the shortest time and could be enough to save you from a serious crash. 
• Swerve: If you are swerving to avoid a potential crash, you need to do it right. Always ensure you’re not swerving into the path of another vehicle. And if the emergency requires both swerving and braking, apply one at a time. 

Tips to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents 

While the above tactics can help you avoid a motorcycle crash and injuries, it would always help to be alert and adhere to all riding safety measures. Here are tips to help you stay safe on the road and avoid the risk of motorcycle accidents: 

• Wear thick protective material such as gloves, long leather pants, boots, and eye protection. Gearing up can help reduce the severity of your injuries in case of a motorcycle crash.
• Add reflective elements to your bike and clothing. Wear bright colors and always use your headlight when riding at night to enhance your visibility and allow other motorists to see you. 
• Always put on your helmet, as it will go a long way in preventing traumatic brain injuries in case of a crash. 
• Ride carefully. Check for blind spots, avoid distractions, and look out for other motorists. 

Speak With a St. Louis Auto Injury Lawyer

Have you been hurt in a motorcycle accident due to some else’s negligence? Give us a call 24/7 to learn more about protecting your legal rights. Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience and can evaluate your case for free.

Whenever motorcycle accidents occur, it is common to hear the driver of the other vehicle say, “I didn’t see you.” Here are some common reasons for this.

Motorcycles are involved in accidents for many reasons, including speeding and alcohol use. However, motorcycle accidents can also happen because a driver failed to see a motorcycle on the road. And when such an accident happens, you’ll likely hear the negligent driver say something in the lines of, “Sorry, I didn’t see you.” So why don’t drivers always see motorcyclists? Let’s discuss why these motorcycle accidents happen and how you can avoid them.

What Are the Common Causes of ‘I didn’t see you’ Accidents?

While all motorists are expected to use the road correctly and follow all traffic laws, it hardly happens. This explains the rising daily number of accidents. Here are common causes of these motorcycle wrecks:

1. A Driver May Look at You but Not See You

Most drivers are looking for other cars and trucks at intersections and junctions but forget about motorcycles. Unfortunately, such discriminatory attention is likely to result in an accident.

2. A Driver May Never Look at All

When a driver fails to look, they miss seeing you approaching and will likely drive into your way, resulting in a collision or a fall off.

3. A Driver Might Look, See You, but Ignore You

Some reckless drivers will turn in front of you (a motorcyclist) despite having seen you. They may assume that most motorcyclists speed, make loud noises, and recklessly changing lanes. And as a result, fail to drive safely around you.

4. A Driver Might Look, See You, but Forget

Considering how busy St Louis intersections are, a driver might see you but forget they had seen you seconds later. As a result, they may pull out of an intersection with no recollection of having seen you approaching, causing an accident.

How Do You Avoid These Accidents?

Preventing these accidents is no easy task. While you can control your actions, you cannot control the actions of car drivers. However, there are things you can do to minimize the risks of these accidents:

Never assume a driver has seen you. Instead, keep your distance and navigate the intersection or junction carefully.

• Use your horn if you suspect a driver has not seen you. This will draw their attention.
• Stay in your lane to increase your chances of being spotted.
• Identify drivers’ blind spots and keep off them.
• Wear reflective clothing that stands out. This will improve the visibility of drivers.

Pursuing Compensation

Being in a motorcycle accident can be devastating. The consequences can be anything from minor bruises to more serious injuries requiring extensive medical care. Fortunately, you can generally pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. However, compensation won’t be automatic; you’ll need to prove that the at-fault driver was negligent and is to blame for the accident and resulting damages.

Speak With a St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a motorcycle collision, The Hoffman Law Firm can evaluate your claim for free and help you understand what you are entitled to. We have a proven record of helping motorcycle accident victims get justice, and we can help you too.