What to Know Before Taking a Passenger on a Motorcycle

You can let a passenger ride on your motorcycle, but it is important to plan ahead before you do. If your passenger knows what to expect when they ride with you on your motorcycle, they can take the necessary precautions. Plus, you can explain the risks of a motorcycle accident and help this individual make an informed decision about whether they want to travel with you on your bike.

At BDIW Law, our Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorney can help victims seek damages from negligent motorists. To learn more, please reach out to us. We can connect you with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.

8 Things You Need to Know Before Taking a Passenger on Your Motorcycle

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to safe travel with a motorcycle. However, there are several tried-and-true things it helps to know before you ride a motorcycle with a passenger. These include:

1. Your Passenger Needs the Right Safety Gear.

Give your passenger a helmet, gloves, jacket, and other safety gear. With the right safety gear, you can reduce the risk that your passenger will suffer serious injuries if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. Safety gear can even prevent a wrongful death in a motorcycle accident.

2. Weight Distribution Is Key.

Before you hop on your motorcycle with a passenger and start riding, consider your bike’s weight distribution. You may need to adjust your bike’s suspension to make sure that your weight and your passenger’s weight are evenly distributed. If you fail to do so, uneven weight distribution can impact your bike’s stability and cause it to tip over.

3. It Helps to Teach Your Passenger Motorcycle Hand Signals.

You cannot turn around and talk to a passenger while you are riding your bike. Conversely, you can use motorcycle hand signals to communicate with a passenger. Share hand signals with your passenger, so you can keep this individual up to date any time you are about to turn or change lanes and any hazards you see while riding.

4. You Should Not Rush the Ride.

Your motorcycle can go fast, but you should give your passenger plenty of time to adjust to traveling on your bike. Instead of starting out on a highway, you may want to bring your passenger on back roads where there is little traffic. This can help your passenger get used to riding on your bike.

5. Leaning Can Play a Role in a Safe Ride.

You will lean into turns when you are riding your motorcycle. Ideally, your passenger will follow your movements and lean with you. You should teach your passenger how to lean, so they can do so without tipping over your bike.

6. You Can Show Your Passenger Where to Place Their Feet.

A motorcycle typically has footrests where a passenger can place their feet while they are seated behind you. You can show the passenger where the footrests are located and how to use them. Also, you should answer any questions your passenger has about your motorcycle’s footrests.

7. You Should Not Start Your Ride Until Your Passenger Is Ready to Go.

Be 100% sure that your passenger is good to go before you start your motorcycle. Remember, you want to provide your passenger with a great riding experience and avoid a tip-over. Rather than start your bike when your passenger is not completely settled, wait until this individual gives you the all-clear prior to beginning your ride.

8. You Should Explain What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident.

Even if you take every precaution, you can still get into an accident with a car. You should explain what your passenger should do following an accident. If an accident happens, your passenger can respond accordingly and protect themselves and anyone else involved in the incident.

Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.

SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAY

Tips to Help a Passenger Prepare for a Ride on Your Motorcycle

You want your passenger to get the most out of their time riding with you on your motorcycle. To achieve your goal, there are several things you can do to help your passenger get ready. These include:

Be open and honest about what can happen during a motorcycle ride. Encourage your passenger to share any concerns or questions with you, and you can give them all of the information they need to prepare for a safe ride.
Help your passenger pick out the right safety gear. You can help your passenger find safety gear that blends function and style.
Do not push your passenger to do something rash. If a passenger is uncomfortable riding on your motorcycle at this time, give them as much time as they need to prepare.

Ultimately, you want to help your passenger remain safe and comfortable when they are on your motorcycle with you. On the other hand, it can be difficult to avoid an accident with a negligent driver. If you are riding with a passenger and get into a motorcycle accident, it helps to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you out.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident While Riding with a Passenger

If you and your passenger are involved in a motorcycle accident, try to remain calm. At this time, you can:

Get to a safe spot away from traffic. Move to the side of the road or another spot where you and anyone else involved in your accident are away from traffic.
Call 911. By calling 911, medical personnel and police officers will arrive on the scene to assist anyone in need.
Connect with a personal injury lawyer. You can sue an at-fault driver for any harm you suffer in a motorcycle accident.

BDIW Law offers legal help to those involved in motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma. For more information, please get in touch with us. Our motorcycle accident lawyer can take a look at your case right away.