The sun is out and the mercury is rising, which means motorcycle riding season is officially here. Both motorcycle riders and other drivers should take extra care during this time of year. Every year, there are thousands of motorcycle crashes and hundreds of fatalities, just in Ohio alone.

Instead of ending up a statistic, read these motorcycle safety and driving tips. Learning how to share the road is the key to keeping everyone safe and happy.

• Ohio requires all motorcyclists to have a license. You may either get a motorcycle license, which limits your driving privileges to motorcycles only, or a motorcycle endorsement. A motorcycle endorsement allows people with regular licenses to extend their driving privileges to cover motorcycles, too. Of course, if you have a current and valid motorcycle license from another state, those will be honored as well.
• Lane sharing. Lane sharing is legal in Ohio. This means that two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in the same lane. They’re not required to do so, however. You should also be aware that no more than two motorcycles can ride side-by-side. This makes it easier for groups of motorcyclists to stay together during trips.
• Lane splitting. Lane splitting is not legal in Ohio. Lane splitting is the practice of riding in between lanes when traffic is stopped or slowed. While some states permit this practice, Ohio does not. It’s important to know the rules for motorcycles in each state you ride—otherwise, you could be subject to some hefty fines.
• Safety precautions. When you ride a motorcycle, it behooves you to take certain safety precautions—even if they’re not codified in state law. For example, Ohio doesn’t require riders to wear helmets, unless they’re under 18 or in the first year of their motorcycle license. However, riding a motorcycle without a helmet is incredibly dangerous. According to the CDC, wearing a helmet reduces the risk of death by 37 percent, and the risk of head injury by 69 percent. Ohio does regulate a number of other safety features, including seats, handlebars, eye protection and lights.

Whether you ride a motorcycle or simply share the road with them, understanding your responsibilities as a driver will help reduce accidents in the future. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, be sure to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claims process or file a lawsuit when necessary.

Call an Ohio Accident Attorney Today

Motorcycle accidents can be physically and financially devastating. If you were injured due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at 877.614.9524 today to find out how you can recover compensation for your pain, suffering, lost wages, medical bills and more.