Essential Gear that Reduces the Severity of Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident

By Your Health Magazine

Riding a motorcycle through Kent is an experience like no other. The rolling countryside, winding country roads, and even the historic city streets make for some of the best rides in the US.

But as much as we love the freedom of the open road, we have to be real about the risks. A crash, even at a low speed, can be brutal if you’re not wearing the right gear. Even though a Kent motorcycle accident lawyer can help you get justice for being the victim of a motorcycle accident, it would do you a great deal of good if the injuries you suffered were minimal.

Essential Safety Gear Every Motorcyclist Should Have

Here are some of the gear that reduce the impact of injuries in a motorcycle accident:

Helmets

If you’ve ever seen what happens to a helmet after a crash, you already know why it’s a non-negotiable piece of gear. Kent sees its fair share of traffic, when you’re riding down any of the city’s ever-busy roads, you need to protect your head.

A full-face helmet is the best choice because it protects your skull, jaw, and face. Even a slow-speed accident can send you flying, and your head hitting the pavement without protection is just a life-altering injury waiting to happen.

You should look for helmets that are DOT-approved (Department of Transportation). And don’t just grab any helmet, be sure to pick out one that fits your skull. A helmet that’s too loose won’t absorb impact properly, and one that’s too tight will be uncomfortable and distracting.

And of course, make sure to pick out one with a built-in visor that will keep the rain and wind from turning your ride into a battle for visibility.

Riding Jackets

A good riding jacket does a lot more than make you look like a badass. It’s your skin’s best friend in a slide. In Kent, where the weather can switch from sunny to rainy in an instant, you’ll want a jacket that’s both protective and weather-resistant.

Leather is a classic choice because it’s tough and abrasion-resistant, but modern textile jackets with built-in armor are just as effective and often more breathable.

A quality riding jacket should have reinforced padding on the shoulders, elbows, and back. If you go down, these are the spots that will suffer the most impact.

Gloves

Think about the last time you tripped and fell, what’s the first thing you did? You put your hands out to break your fall. Now imagine doing that at 40 mph on a road in Kent. Your hands are literally the first thing to hit the ground in most crashes, and without gloves, that’s a recipe for shredded skin, broken fingers, and months of painful recovery.

The best motorcycle gloves offer reinforced palms, knuckle protection, and a snug fit. Full-gauntlet gloves are the best for ultimate protection, but even short-cuff gloves with proper padding are better than nothing.

If you’re riding through Kent’s busy intersections or even just gripping the throttle on a long ride, gloves are non-negotiable. You need them for grip, control, and, most importantly, protection.

Riding Boots

If you’re wearing sneakers on a motorcycle, you might as well be barefoot. Regular shoes won’t protect your feet when a crash happens, your feet and ankles take a beating in an accident. In a place like Kent, you need boots that can handle anything.

Motorcycle boots come with ankle support, reinforced toes, and non-slip soles; you’ll come to appreciate all of these features when you’re stopping at a red light on a wet road or keeping your balance when parking on uneven ground.