Motorcyclists are much more likely than other motorists to be injured. In fact, per mile driven, motorcyclists are 26 times likelier to suffer fatal injuries than people in a car. This is because motorcycles offer much less protection to riders than other vehicles do. Motorcyclists have no metal cage to protect them from the road, from elements or from other motorists.

Other drivers are also less likely to notice a motorcycle than a larger vehicle. Motorcycles are often trapped in a motorist’s blind spot. For this reason, cars frequently turn in front of bikes or cut them off. Motorcycles can also be more difficult to control on wet surfaces.

The most obvious forms of protection for riders are a helmet and proper safety gear. Helmets are required by Tennessee law, and proper gear does a great job of preventing serious injury such as road rash. Some riders make their bikes louder as a safety feature. The idea behind “loud bikes save lives” is that other drivers can’t ignore bikes or fail to notice them when they are loud.

One of the most overlooked ways to reduce your risk of accidents as a biker is to take both beginner and advanced motorcycle safety classes. In Tennessee, successfully completing a motorcycle rider education program exempts you from needing to take either the written or practical test when applying for a motorcycle license.

More importantly, these classes will make you a more confident and skillful rider. You will learn proper turning and passing techniques. Your class will educate you on how to handle different types of intersections and road conditions.

Tennessee’s state-approved programs include three different classes:

  • Those who are new to biking or just starting out should enter the Basic Rider Course (BRC). This course mixes classroom instruction with riding experience. You don’t need your own bike to take this class.
  • For motorcyclists who already ride but want to learn more safety techniques, the Basic Rider Course Two (BRC2) teaches advanced skills.
  • An Advanced Rider Course (ARC) also exists to provide experienced riders with a chance to make their riding habits even safer.

When you complete any of these courses, your insurer will lower your insurance premium. You may be eligible for reimbursement from the manufacturer of your motorcycle for the cost of a class. More importantly, you will learn crash avoidance and survival techniques to help you stay alive.

If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash, the personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. in Bristol can help. Call us now at [ln::phone] or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.