The culture of riding is enticing, and it’s easy to understand why. You may have had a lifelong interest in building motorcycles—or perhaps you became interested in riding after seeing so many other happy souls out on the roads enjoying a different sense of freedom in travel. It could also be that you were looking for a more economical way to commute back and forth to work, or perhaps you tuned into a few too many episodes of Sons of Anarchy and decided to follow suit.

No matter the reason for riding, motorcyclists around the US enjoy so many benefits, and amidst all the safety concerns, health and exercise is one of them. Riding is a full body workout, especially for the core, along with requiring constant brain activity due to intense focus on the road. And while it may seem important to ‘dress the part,’ the leather and boots—usually imparting a serious look of cool—can be critical to real protection. And in considering the statistics for motorcycle crashes in Florida, as well as common injuries sustained by those involved, you should want to stock up on all safety gear possible.

While a fender bender when driving a car may be all too common on the roads today, resulting in no injuries and both parties often just walking away, the majority of motorcycle crashes end in injury or even death. And in Florida especially, caution must be taken as the roads are more dangerous than ever. Safety gear begins with the helmet—and even though it is not required in Florida if you are 21 or over, wearing a helmet improves your chances for preventing traumatic brain injury and other major problems. With leather protection, you may also be able to prevent losing a significant amount of skin when hitting the pavement.

Road rash is an all-too-common injury, and leather pants and a jacket (or a full riding suit) offer a valuable safeguard. The amount of skin you could lose due to lack of protection is alarming—even if you were going at a relatively slow speed in the event of a crash. Without protective clothing, you could risk road rash in a variety of degrees—similar to burns—with some of the most serious cases requiring skin grafting. If you have suffered or are suffering from road rash, then you know how painful it can be whether it is first, second, or third degree, with infection being an added risk.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact the attorneys at Heintz Law. We’ve helped victims from Bradenton, Sarasota, and all over Florida get compensation for their damages and medical expenses after accidents. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!