SAFELY CRASHING A MOTORCYCLE - There are techniques to potentially save yourself in a motorcycle accident. Before you crash, slow the motorcycle as best as possible with the brakes. The front brakes will offer the most stopping potential, so they should be applied progressively to reduce your speed. You can also progressively apply the rear brakes to reduce your velocity before the crash. Pick your spot to go down if possible. You wouldn’t think you have much of a choice, but you still have some control over the motorcycle just before a crash. Let go of the motorcycle once you’re down. A motorcycle can easily tumble and crush you if you’re caught under it on the ground. Tuck your appendages and roll if you can. If you’re able to slide, slide like you’re stealing a base. Think of a stick and a rope. A stick will break, and a rope will not. Be a rope. When you think you’ve stopped sliding or tumbling, count to five. Don’t stand up immediately. Crawl away from the scene to safety.

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Safely Crashing a Motorcycle

How to Safely Crash a Motorcycle

You wouldn’t think you have much of a choice, but you still have some control over the motorcycle just before a crash - you can give some direction of left or right to avoid oncoming objects and try to find the softest spot possible

Michael Padway

You wouldn’t expect ‘safely’ and ‘crash’ to be paired together, but there are techniques to potentially save yourself in a motorcycle accident.  

These are what we suggest you become comfortable with:

1.    Before you crash, slow the motorcycle as best as possible with the brakes.

The front brakes will offer the most stopping potential, so they should be applied progressively to reduce your speed.  

You can also progressively apply the rear brakes to reduce your velocity before the crash.

2.    Pick your spot to go down if possible.

You wouldn’t think you have much of a choice, but you still have some control over the motorcycle just before a crash.  

You can give some direction of left or right to avoid oncoming objects and try to find the softest spot possible.

3.    Let go of the motorcycle once you’re down.  A motorcycle can easily tumble and crush you if you’re caught under it on the ground.  

As soon as you’re down, let it go its separate way.

4.    Tuck your appendages and roll if you can.  

Don’t reach out to brace for impact as you’re more likely to break a bone (or multiples) trying to lessen the impact.

5.    If you’re able to slide, slide like you’re stealing a base.  

You can reach out with your arms and legs to spread yourself wide to add drag. This will help slow you down faster.

6.    It’s hard to think about relaxing in a time like this, but relaxing your body will prevent injuries tendons and ligaments.  

Think of a stick and a rope. A stick will break, and a rope will not. Be a rope.

7.    When you think you’ve stopped sliding or tumbling, count to five. Don’t stand up immediately.  

Your balance could be off and you may actually be moving and not realize it. Counting to five will give you that extra time to be sure you’re stopped.  

After the five seconds, don’t stand up. Crawl away from the scene to safety.  

Standing up and walking away (or trying) can make you a moving target for another motorcyclist that they didn’t expect.

Michael Padway is a motorcycle accident attorney with over 40 years of experience in motorcycle cases. He’s been a lifelong motorcycle rider, and fanatic for its culture, advocacy, and safety. If you need assistance with a motorcycle accident, contact him at (800) 928-1511 or visit michaelpadway.com for a free consultation.

https://www.motorcyclelegalfoundation.com/how-to-crash-a-motorcycle-safely/