Essential Protective Gear to Help Prevent Injury in Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle is a great way to get around Riverside. With the beautiful scenery and gorgeous year-round weather, it is almost always a great time to ride your bike. However, all riders know that riding a motorcycle comes with some risks. When involved in a crash, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer serious injuries or even death when compared with other motorists.

All bikers must take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe, such as wearing the appropriate protective gear for motorcycles.

This ensures that their safety and well-being are protected as much as possible. It can also prevent the liable party from raising the defense of comparative fault because the bikers did not try to mitigate their injuries. Below, our Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer explains the most important types of protective gear motorcycle riders can wear.

Motorcycle Helmets and Protective Eye Gear

In California, all motorcyclists and passengers are required to wear a motorcycle helmet, regardless of their age. Motorcyclists can choose from many different options, including a full-face helmet, a 3/4 helmet, or a 1/2 helmet. Of all of these, it is most recommended that bikers wear the full-face helmet, as it provides the most protection. Of all the different types of equipment, a helmet is the best motorcycle protective gear..

A full face helmet also provides eye protection for bikers to protect them against the wind and other elements. When motorcyclists are not wearing full helmets, they are required to wear protective eyewear.

Protective Clothing

Many different types of clothing act as protective gear for motorcycle riders and prevent injuries or reduce the severity of them. One of these is a leather jacket. Leather jackets are thick and durable, offering protection from scrapes, cuts, and road rash in the event of a crash.

Motorcyclists are also recommended to wear long pants as safety gear when they are on their bikes.

If they are involved in an accident, these can help bikers prevent scrapes, cuts, and other injuries.

While these types of injuries may seem minor, that is not always the case. They can also result in long-term complications, such as infections, which are very serious. Long pants should also be reflective, making it easier for drivers to see bikers.

There are also suits available that motorcyclists can wear underneath their clothing. These are typically fitted with pads and cover the biker’s arms, legs, and torso.

Gloves are an often overlooked type of protective gear for motorcycle riders, but they are very important. Gloves help bikers get a better grip on the handlebars of their bike while also offering added protection for the hands. Without gloves, a biker’s hands may slip from the handlebars if they are sweaty or otherwise wet. Gloves will also prevent a motorcyclist from losing control of the handlebars, which could make it more challenging for them to avoid other vehicles and obstacles in the road.

Lastly, the boots a motorcyclist wears are also very important. These can protect the ankles during a crash. Additionally, steel-toed and waterproof boots can help bikers grip their pedals when it is raining while also preventing toe fractures during a collision.

Body Armor

Body armor is worn under the clothes and is made of hard plastics or composite material. This safety gear for motorcycle riders absorbs the impact of an accident, protects against abrasion, and can enhance a biker’s confidence. Body armor is typically worn on the torso and abdomen and can significantly prevent damage to bodily organs in case of an accident.

Padding

If motorcyclists choose not to wear padding underneath their clothing, they may choose to wear it as a top layer. Padding is also considered one of the best motorcycle protective gear. The most common places for bikers to wear padding are on the elbows, shins, and knees. These areas of the body are very vulnerable and easily disjointed. Some motorcyclists choose to wear these pads instead of the ones fitted underneath clothing because they are easier to remove. This is particularly important if a biker is not going home but instead, somewhere wearing pads underneath their clothing may not be comfortable.

Ear Plugs

Out of all the different types of protective gear for motorcyclists, earplugs may be the most overlooked. Being on a motorcycle can be very loud. Bikers are very close to the engine of their bikes, and the surrounding ambient noise can also be very loud. All of this can be very disruptive to a biker’s ears and, over time, may cause damage.

To protect the ears from damage, many bikers choose to wear earplugs to minimize the noise. Many motorcycle helmets are also equipped with mufflers that limit noise without a biker requiring extra protection. Choosing one of these helmets offers some of the best motorcycle protective gear.

Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Riverside Can Help After a Crash

The above protective gear for motorcyclist riders is important to ensure that you do not suffer additional harm during a crash.

Unfortunately, it is not always enough, and you may have to file a claim for compensation against the liable party. At The JLF Firm, our Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer can help you through the claims process and prove that you are not partially at fault so you can obtain the full and fair damages you need. Contact us to schedule a free review of your case and to get the legal help you need.