While many people view motorcycles as an adventurous form of transportation, there is much danger that comes with them. Compared to the other passenger vehicles on the road, motorcycles do not offer a lot of protection. So when an accident occurs, the subsequent injuries and damages can be detrimental. Continue reading to learn what motorcycle safety tips you should follow and how an experienced Toronto motorcycle accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A., can be of any assistance necessary.
What are Toronto’s motorcycle helmet laws?
Every province of Canada, including Toronto, requires motorcyclists wear a helmet that meets its approved standards. The approved standards are that your helmet must have a strong chin strap and fastener that is in good condition, fits snugly on your head, and is securely fastened.
Notably, a motorcycle helmet will not only protect you from a head injury but will reduce the noise of the road, along with protecting wind, rain, bugs, stones, and debris, from blowing in your face.
What are other motorcycle safety tips?
In addition to a protective helmet, motorcyclists must also wear protective clothing. Examples of such read as follows:
- Protective jacket: a jacket will protect you from the impact of debris and from fatigue when driving in bad weather. Importantly, your jacket should completely cover and snugly fit around your arms. It should be made of leather or special synthetic material. A jacket with bright colors or reflective items can make you more visible to other drivers on the road.
- Protective boots: boots will protect your ankles from the impact of debris. Importantly, your boots should be sturdy and high enough to protect your ankles. They should have hard soles that will grip the pavement when you are stopped, along with short heels that will not catch on rough surfaces.
- Protective gloves: gloves will protect when driving in bad weather. Importantly, gauntlet gloves that extend over your wrists can protect your wrists, fingers, and muscles. They should be sturdy and made of leather so that you can better hold the handgrips and controls.
What are the common causes of motorcycle accidents in Toronto?
Oftentimes, motorcycle accidents are due to no fault of the motorcyclist but the fault of another motorist on the road. For example, a motorist may tailgate a motorcyclist. Or, a dooring accident may occur, where a motorist opens their car door without checking their surroundings first, and a motorcyclist gets struck.
When a motorcycle accident occurs, injuries that may come with it include, but are limited to, the following:
- A head trauma injury.
- A spinal cord injury.
- A lower-extremity injury.
- A road rash.
- Broken bones.
If you are suffering from any of the above injuries after your motorcycle accident, you likely incurring hefty medical bills for your treatments, along with other pain and suffering. This is why you must take action and file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver. For this, retain the services of a skilled Toronto auto accident lawyer today.
