How Protective Motorcycle Gear Could Save Your Life

Motorcyclists love the freedom of the open road, particularly during the summer when they won’t encounter hazards such as ice and snow.

However, even in warm weather, it’s important to wear the proper safety gear to protect yourself from climate-related and other road hazards.

Some of this protective gear is mandatory. Virginia is one of the states in which it’s the law for motorcyclists to wear helmets. In this article, I highlight how fatal accidents for motorcyclists rose in states that repealed their helmet laws.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation points out protective gear is important to protect you from debris, insects, and bad weather, to help you stay comfortable and to help you in the event of a crash.

As a motorcyclist you need as much protection as you can get. Statistics suggest riders are 39 times more likely to die in a crash than car drivers.

Here are the pieces of protective clothing you will need when riding a motorcycle in Virginia or North Carolina.

1 A Helmet

When you select a helmet, it’s important to comply with Department of Transportation standards. More details are provided by Ultimate Motorcycling. Helmets save lives by reducing the occurrence of head injuries.

2 Face Protection

Most helmets have visors. If you don’t have a visor, you’ll need face protection in the former of goggles. Riders need to protect their eyes against dirt, insects, rocks, or other airborne matter. The wind alone can affect vision. If your vision is impaired you are more likely to become involved in an accident.

3 Jackets and Pants

The so-called “Hurt Report” compiled in Virginia by the National Technical Information Service, highlighted how riders should cover their bodies with leather or another abrasion-resistant fabric.

Make sure your clothing is comfortable without binding. You should avoid loose clothing like scarves and wide pants. A flap of material over the zipper of a jacket will give you additional protection against the wind.

4 Gloves

Use full fingered motorcycle gloves to protect your hands from blisters, sun, wind and cold temperatures. Make sure gloves fit properly and are not too tight because they may cut off your circulation.

5 Footwear

I have often seen riders wearing inappropriate footwear like sneakers or even flip flops. You should invest in sturdy, over-the-ankle boots that will protect you from a wide range of hazards, including flying road debris and exhaust heat. Aim to wear rubber-based boots with oil-resistant soles that will give you a strong grip on the pavement and help you keep your feet on the pegs.

Protective clothing may not save you from serious injury if you are involved in a motorcycle wreck, but it will increase your chances. If you have been hurt in a crash caused by another driver, call our Virginia motorcycle accident lawyers today at (757) 333-3333.