AVOID INJURY IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS - WEAR CORRECT CLOTHING
From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx; Queens Injury Attorney)
FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INJURY, WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES, GLOVES AND CLOTHING.
Thick, protective garb not only provides comfort against the elements, but also may be all there is between you and the pavement in the event of an accident.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT:
Studies show that the head, arms and legs are most often hurt in a motorcycle crash. Protective clothing and equipment serve a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists: comfort and protection from the elements; some measure of injury protection; and through use of color or reflective material, a means for other motorists to see the motorcyclist and prevent an accident.
Helmet: This is the most important piece of equipment. In New York State, use of a helmet is required. Passengers should also wear a helmet. Safety helmets save lives by absorbing the impact of head injury in the event your motorcycle goes down. Make sure your helmet fits comfortably and snugly, and is fastened while you ride. In choosing a helmet, look for the DOT (Department of Transportation) label on the helmet. The DOT label on helmets is the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to Federal law. Helmets come in different styles, varying the amount of face coverage. Some riders prefer the smallest helmet, which leaves the ears exposed. A full-face helmet covers the head and jaw and offers maximum protection against face and jaw injury in event of an accident.
A consumer information brochure about motorcycle safety is available on-line from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Eye Protection: Since many motorcycles don't have windshields, riders must protect their eyes against insects, dirt, rocks or other airborne matter - even at night. Even the wind can cause the eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative to avoid an accident when riding. Choose good quality goggles, glasses with plastic or safety lenses, or a helmet equipped with a face shield. Goggles, glasses, and face shields should be scratch free, shatter proof, and well ventilated to prevent fog buildup. Only clear shields should be used at night since tinted shields reduce contrast and make it more difficult to see. Even if your motorcycle has a windshield, eye protection is recommended. Some motorcycle-approved eyewear is available in prescription.
Jackets and Trousers: Clothing worn when riding a motorcycle should provide some measure of protection from "road rash" in the event of an accident or fall. Clothes should be of durable material (i.e., special synthetic material or leather). Jackets should have long sleeves. Trousers should not be baggy or flared at the bottom to prevent entanglement with the chain, kick starter, foot- pegs, or other protrusions on the sides of a motorcycle. Also, long pants reduce the possibility of suffering a leg burn injury on a hot exhaust pipe. Do not wear shorts.
Gloves: Gloves should be of the non-slip type to permit a firm grip on the controls. Leather gloves are excellent, as are special fabric gloves with leather palms and grip strips on the fingers. Gauntlet-type gloves keep air out of the rider's sleeves. Appropriate gloves are available for all types of weather.
Footwear: Proper footwear affords protection for the feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs in case of an accident. Leather boots are best. Durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles are a good second choice. Sandals, sneakers, and similar footwear should not be used since they provide little protection from abrasion or a crushing impact. Don't even THINK of wearing little flippy-flops. Beware of synthetic soles that can melt on a hot exhaust pipe. Avoid dangling laces that can get caught.
Note: Upper body clothing should be brightly colored. Some riders wear lightweight reflective orange or yellow vests over their jackets. Retro-reflective material used on clothing, helmet, and the motorcycle helps to make the rider visible to other motorists, especially at night. A high percentage of car-vehicle accidents occur because the driver of the other vehicle failed to see the rider in time to avoid the crash.
