More motorcyclists are generally on the roads when the promise of fresh spring air or warm summer weather beckons. If one of your friends or relatives has a motorcycle and has invited you to ride with him, you might be excited to do so—but first, you need to know how to protect yourself from serious injury and what to do if a Virginia motorcycle accident occurs while you are a passenger on a bike.
3 Things Passengers Need to Know before Getting on a Motorcycle
Before you climb on the back of a bike, it is important to know that:
- Virginia has a universal helmet law. This applies not only to drivers, but also to passengers. You should refuse to be a passenger on a motorcycle if you do not have a properly fitting helmet to protect you from serious head, brain, and spinal cord injuries, should an accident occur. Forty-one percent of motorcycle passenger accident fatalities can be avoided if passengers wear helmets, according to the CDC.
- You are an active participant. The motorcyclist should tell you what you can do to help avoid an accident. Being a motorcycle passenger is different than being an automobile passenger. On a motorcycle, passengers are active participants who can cause or help avoid crashes.
- Size matters. You should be tall enough so that your feet can touch the footrests.
It is also important to know that you may have the right to pursue a fair and just legal recovery if you have been hurt, even if the motorcycle driver was negligent. In most cases, your recovery will come from an insurance company and not directly from the driver who is your friend or relative.
Call a Warrenton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer if You’ve Been Injured
If you have been hurt, it is important to know your rights and to protect your potential recovery. Please contact one of our Warrenton motorcycle accident attorneys today at 540-341-0007 or 888-907-2631 to schedule a FREE consultation and to learn more.
