1. on is key here unless you have anti-lock brakes. Make sure to engage the rear brakes as well since they can also help you to slow down.
2. Try to pick a spot to go down. This depends on the circumstances of course, but if there is time and space to do so, you can maintain some control of the bike as it is going down so that you can choose the safest place to land. For example, if the road is on one side of you and a wall or barrier is on the other, then you may be better off sliding on the pavement rather than hitting an immovable object at high speed.
3. Let go of the motorcycle once you have gone down. The motorcycle could easily tumble around and hit you, or drag you with it if you try to hold on to it, so let go of it once you have hit the ground.
4. Tuck and roll or slide; the choice depends on the circumstances. Tucking and rolling is better if you have little space to move around and can prevent you from breaking any bones or reduce the number and severity of any bones that do get broken. You can slide if there is a lot of space around you since spreading yourself wide by extending your arms and legs will add a drag factor that can slow you down.
5. Try to relax as much as possible. This may sound counterintuitive, but relaxing your body can reduce the amount and type of injuries you may receive from the crash. That is because tendons and ligaments are more likely to get damaged when they are tensed up in anticipation of a crash.
6. Count to five and then crawl away from the accident scene to safety. You need to count to five after you think that you have stopped sliding or tumbling in order to make sure that you are not still in motion. It will also give you a chance to regain your balance and discover whether you have been injured or not. You should crawl, instead of walk, to safety because you may still be a little dizzy and disoriented and may not be able to walk properly just yet.
What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
Once the crash is over, there are steps that you should take to ensure your safety and to increase the chances of receiving compensation if the accident was caused by someone else.
Check for injuries. Even if you think that you are okay, adrenaline and endorphins could be masking any pain or injuries. Do as thorough a head to toe check as you can to find out if you have any bruises, lacerations, or fractures.
Call 911. Get help as soon as you can; first responders will attend to you and anyone else involved in your motorcycle accident and can contain the scene to prevent other unsuspecting drivers from running into any debris.
Do not admit fault. Regardless of the circumstances, you should never admit or imply that the accident was your fault. It can be reflexive to apologize after an accident, especially if you were not hurt too badly. However, doing so may jeopardize your chances of receiving a settlement if you were not at fault. So help if you can and cooperate with the first responders, but do not apologize.
Collect evidence. This simply means taking pictures of the scene and getting the contact information of any witnesses. This can help you to make a stronger case for yourself later on as the more evidence you have, the better it is for you.
Get medical attention. Even if you feel fine, you could have internal injuries that take a while to show up. So get treated as soon as you can because your health and well-being is of the highest importance.
Hire a motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney can represent you and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf. They are your best chance of receiving compensation that can cover medical costs, repair bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Do so as soon as you can before the statute of limitations on your case runs out.
Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst
That is the mantra of disaster preparedness and it also applies to motorcycle accidents. When you go out riding you never expect an accident to happen, but you should always be prepared if an accident does occur. That means knowing what to do as the accident is happening and knowing the steps to take in the aftermath of the accident. Contacting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is one of the more important steps because they can help to make sure that you do not have to pay out of pocket for any expenses caused by the accident. So ride safely, but always be prepared.