--- title: "A Crash Prevention Guide for Motorcyclists and Automobile Drivers" url: https://callsam.com/blog/motorcycle-crash-prevention/ description: "Most fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. See helmet, visibility, and sharing-the-road tips for riders and drivers in Michigan." lastModified: 2026-10-11 --- # A Crash Prevention Guide for Motorcyclists and Automobile Drivers Published: May 14, 2021 Most fatal motorcycle crashes involve at least one other vehicle. Riders have little protection from the impact, so they usually suffer more serious injuries than people in cars and trucks. Motorcyclists are about [28 times more likely](https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles) to be killed in a crash, per mile traveled, than passenger-car occupants. Working with an [experienced motorcycle accident attorney](https://callsam.com/case-types/motorcycle-accidents/) after a crash can make a stressful situation easier. Here are steps bikers and motorists can take to make Michigan roads safer. ## SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MOTORCYCLISTS - Wear a helmet and other protective gear. Michigan does not require a helmet for every adult rider, but helmets save lives and reduce head injury. Use a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. Goggles, gloves and abrasion-resistant clothing also help in a crash. - Watch for road hazards. Potholes, wet pavement, uneven surfaces, branches and debris can take a bike down. - Watch for deer, especially where crossing signs are posted. Deer are more active at dawn and dusk, move quickly and travel in groups. - Make yourself visible. Use reflective gear, keep lights working and stay out of other drivers’ blind spots. - Ride defensively. Be extra careful at intersections and when turning left. Ride within your skill level. - Check the bike before each ride: tires, lights, signals, brakes and fluids. ## SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR CAR AND TRUCK DRIVERS - Leave extra space behind a motorcycle. Rear-end crashes, especially with SUVs and trucks, are especially dangerous for riders. - Pass with a signal and caution. A sudden burst of speed can unsettle a motorcycle. - Check blind spots before changing lanes or merging. Adjust mirrors. - Slow down at intersections. Use signals and look specifically for bikes before a left turn. - Dim high beams when approaching a motorcycle. - Don’t drive distracted. Michigan bans hand-held phones. Don’t program a GPS, eat or groom while moving. ## ROAD SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR EVERYONE - Never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol, drugs or impairing prescriptions. Use a ride, a sober driver or wait. - Adjust for weather. Slow down and increase following distance on wet or snowy roads. - Obey traffic signs and signals. They apply to every vehicle. - Don’t speed. Higher speed cuts reaction time and raises crash forces. - Stay in your lane. Cars and trucks should not share a lane with a motorcycle. Signal and check blinds before you change lanes. - Expect the unexpected. Keep your hands, eyes and mind on the road. ## PUT OUR EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS TO WORK FOR YOU TODAY If you are injured in a [motorcycle accident](https://callsam.com/case-types/motorcycle-accidents/), we can help. Many of our lawyers ride. We understand the pleasures and pitfalls of motorcycling, and we will put our experience and resources to work for you. Motorcycle accident law is complicated, but finding the right [motorcycle accident lawyer](https://callsam.com/case-types/motorcycle-accidents/) is simple. Don’t let the legal clock run out. 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