Most motorcyclists take their personal safety seriously. After all, nearly everyone understands the injury risks associated with experiencing a motorcycle accident. Unlike motorists involved in car or truck crashes, cyclists have very little protection when colliding with other vehicles and being thrown or knocked from a motorcycle.

Purchasing and utilizing personal protective gear is one way motorcyclists can enhance their safety and reduce the severity of injuries when motorcycle accidents occur. Here are some good examples of personal protective gear for cyclists.

• Well-fitted helmets
• Protective pants, jackets or riding suits
• Sturdy footwear
• Eye and face protection
• Full fingered gloves
• Cold weather gear when appropriate

Motorcycle accidents happen even when operators practice the highest level of caution, especially if other motorists drive recklessly. In order to acquire the maximum compensation from insurance providers or personal injury claims, it is important that motorcycle accident victims can prove their own behavior did not contribute to the accident.

The use of personal protective gear might add weight to these claims, with a special emphasis placed on the word might. While Illinois does not have a helmet law or statutes addressing personal protective gear, use of such gear may play a role in helping victims prove that safety was their primary goal. In turn, this might have a positive effect on motorcycle accident claims.

One of the best ways to learn how the victim’s use of safety gear might affect motorcycle accident claims is to seek advice from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. This provides victims with a chance to discuss the details of the case and to create a strategy designed to maximize compensation.

Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation, “Personal Protective Gear for the Motorcyclist,” accessed March 21, 2018