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Tips for Motorcycle Safety Gear

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

As warmer weather draws near, motorcyclists nationwide are preparing to take their bikes back out on the road. Despite the excitement for spring and summer, it is very important that all riders wear the appropriate safety gear to prevent serious injuries should an accident occur. Here are some tips to ensure that you’re fully prepared and ready for the open road!

  • Helmet

Although wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is not required by Illinois law, doing so is strongly advised, and the reasons are clear: wearing a helmet could be the difference between life and death, and the risks of serious injury or death far outweigh a simple personal preference, especially on longer trips. If you are shopping for a helmet, it’s also recommended to choose from new helmets rather than used, as previously-owned helmets may have questionable durability or structural damages which reduce their effectiveness.

  • Gloves

Wearing protective gloves while riding is often overlooked, and this is a rather common cause of injuries in motorcycle accidents. When we fall, throwing out our hands to break the fall is a natural instinct; at a high rate of speed, friction against the gravel can cause abrasive damage to the skin and even fracture or break the fingers or wrists. Protective gloves add an extra layer over the skin and some are even designed to protect against broken knuckles in a way similar to mixed martial arts (MMA) gloves.

  • Pants and Sleeves

As the temperature gets higher, sleeves and pant legs get shorter. However, it is recommended to cover as much skin as possible while riding for the same reasons as gloves: falling on the gravel, even at relatively low speeds, can cause severe “road rash” to your skin if it is not protected. If you don’t have particularly-thick sleeves or pant legs, denim is a decent, though less effective, alternative.

  • Footwear
    No matter how hot or humid it may be, sandals and flip-flops are not appropriate footwear for a motorcycle! In some cases, they may even be more dangerous than bare feet, as the part in-between the toes could tear through the skin in an accident. They also offer no protection to the ankles. Closed-toed shoes are always recommended, and high boots offer maximum protection via height – which helps secure the ankles and prevent broken bones – and thicker material.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact 844 See Mike, LLC for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

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