What Are Crash Bars On A Motorcycle?
Motorcycle riders get a thrill when they hop on their bike and go for a ride. Whether going to work, running errands, or just out for a pleasure ride, motorcyclists enjoy feeling the wind rush over them as they ride down the road.
However, motorcycles also have the potential to cause serious injuries. Because a motorcycle has very little protection compared to a passenger vehicle, if you get into an accident, you are more likely to suffer serious injuries or even death. In fact, motorcycle riders are 27 times more likely to die in an accident than people in cars and trucks.
There are ways you can protect yourself when riding your motorcycle. You keep your bike in great working condition, checking the fluid levels, tire pressure, and chains regularly. You wear appropriate protective gear every time you go for a ride, including your helmet. You also make sure that you pay close attention to your surroundings. Other drivers may not see your motorcycle, so you need to be extra aware of what other drivers are doing to avoid a motorcycle accident.
If that happens, crash bars can protect you.
What Are Motorcycle Crash Bars Made out Of?
Crash bars are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or mild steel. Aluminum is the lightest material and adds very little weight to your motorcycle but it will also provide the least protection. Stainless steel is great for motorcycles because it will not rust, but it’s also heavy and will not absorb much of the impact of an accident. Mild steel may absorb the most out of these options but it can rust if not properly cared for.
When determining what type of crash bar to purchase for your motorcycle, you need to consider the effectiveness of each type. No matter what, you should consider this purchase, as it can help prevent serious injury.
Motorcycle Crash Bars
Motorcycles come with safety equipment and you, as a rider, often purchase additional equipment to keep you safe. This additional equipment may include special clothing to prevent burns and road rash, but you can also get additional pieces of equipment for your motorcycle.
A crash bar is a piece of metal that attaches to the frame of your motorcycle. There are several design options you can choose from but they all have the same purpose—they stick out a few inches beyond each side of the motorcycle.
If you are in a motorcycle accident, the crash bar will prevent your bike from falling completely onto the road or, more importantly, onto you. Besides protecting you, the crash bar can also protect your bike’s engine and other components by preventing the weight of the motorcycle from crushing that equipment. To learn more about how a bike can be damaged or leave you injured review the difference between a low-side crash and high-side crash on a bike.
Injuries Crash Bars Prevent
When you ride your bike, you never expect to get into an accident, but that does not mean accidents never happen. A crash bar will not prevent you from getting into an accident but it can help to prevent more serious injuries.
Leg injuries are one of the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle crash bar can help to prevent or reduce the severity of leg and ankle injuries. When your bike falls over, the crash bar can absorb the impact with the ground and prevent your bike from crushing your legs.
Because the crash bar keeps the bike off the ground slightly, it also provides more leverage for you to lift the bike easily. This, too, can help to prevent and reduce the severity of injuries because the sooner you can get out from under the bike, the more likely that you will suffer less serious injuries.
How Do Crash Bars Work
The quality of the crash bar you buy is the most important factor, and will have the greatest impact on your ability to walk away from your motorcycle accident.
If a crash bar does not provide enough support or cannot support the weight of the motorcycle, it will be ineffective. If a crash bar is too small for your motorcycle, it will also be ineffective.
Just like wearing a helmet will help to reduce the amount and the severity of injuries you might receive, a crash bar can do the same thing for a different part of your body. By being proactive and keeping your bike in good working condition, wearing a helmet and other protective gear, and adding a crash bar to your motorcycle, you give yourself the best chance of walking away from motorcycle accidents. Not every rider is so lucky.
Speak With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Despite your best efforts, you may still suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident through someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. When this happens, your only worry should be your health and well being. You may face a long road to recovery and spend a great deal of time out of work. Combined with astronomical medical bills, your reduced income could put you into a financially difficult situation.
But you must remember that none of this is your fault and you should not be on the hook for any of the financial burdens you face. To help you collect every dollar you deserve, speak with a skilled motorcycle accident injury lawyer today. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file your claim, investigate your accident, speak with experts, review police and medical records, speak with witnesses, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, take these matters seriously. Your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and ensure you do not pay a dime out of your own pocket could depend on the legal representation you choose. Speak to an experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
