Motorcycle Mishaps

What to Do When You Get a Flat Tire, Break Down, or Crash

As the saying goes: Accidents happen. From flat tires and breakdowns to accidents, there is a world of possibility when you head out on the open road. If you ride a motorcycle, make sure you know what to do in case you experience any of these common mishaps!

Flat Tire

Flat tires are an inevitable reality for all vehicle owners. If you get a flat tire while riding a motorcycle, the first thing you want to do is move safely to the side of the road. Avoid sudden changes in momentum and direction. Do not apply the brakes. Instead, smoothly roll off the throttle. Try to remain as centered and balanced on top of the bike as possible. Only once you have slowed down significantly should you gently use the brakes to come to a complete stop.

Never try to ride a motorcycle with a flat tire. If the tire is fixable and you have a repair kit with you, try to repair. If you don’t have a repair kit, call someone for roadside assistance.

Tubeless Tires: If the flat tire is not caused by a broken rim or the puncture is not near the sidewall, you can most likely repair it by applying a patch or plug commonly found in repair kits.

Tubed Tires: If you have tubed tires, it’s a smart idea to ride with an extra tube. Using basic tools, take the wheel off the bike and pry the tire off the wheel. Then pull out the old, punctured tube and replace it with the new one. Use a CO2 cartridge to put air back in the tire.

Break Down

There is a wide variety of mechanical issues that could cause your motorcycle to break down on the side of the road. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have general knowledge of some basic fixes to common mechanical issues before heading out for a ride. In addition to your flat tire repair kit, you should also carry a simple tool kit. This tool kit should include any hardware you may need to adjust cables, access and/or change a spark plug, and service a carburetor. Other items that can come in handy are vice grips and cable zip ties.

Crash

Many motorcycle accidents are caused by other vehicles on the road. Drivers do your due diligence and drive carefully to avoid causing a motorcycle accident. If you are in a motorcycle accident, take the following steps:

1. Dial 911 and report the accident, letting them know if there are any injuries.
2. Do not move your motorcycle before the police arrive.
3. Take picture of the accident from a distance so that the full scene and all vehicles involved are visible. Include pictures of the damage, license plates of those involved, and the drivers involved.
4. If there are any witnesses to the accident, ask them to wait until the police arrive so they can give a statement. If they cannot wait, take a picture of them holding their identification.
5. Once the police arrive, make a statement about how the accident occurred. Have the police talk to any witnesses, and if any witnesses left, show the police the picture of their identification.
6. If you are injured, never refuse medical treatment from rescue personnel.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact us today! The team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Rob Levine & Associates can help you get the justice you deserve.