Motorcycle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcyclist fatalities accounted for 13% of all motor vehicle deaths in 2016, with 4,976 people dying in motorcycle crashes.

While some accidents are unavoidable, there are several things you can do to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

Here are eight ways to prevent motorcycle accidents:

1. Wear a helmet.

According to NHTSA data, helmets saved 1,829 lives in 2016 alone and many more lives have been saved since then because so many people wear them now as compared to decades ago when many people didn’t wear them at all or wore them only occasionally. A helmet should be worn by both the driver and passenger on a motorcycle because it offers protection against head injuries that may occur during an accident or fall off the bike while operating it.

A helmet is your best friend when it comes to preventing head injuries. Even if you don’t think your accident will be serious enough for you to need one, it’s a good idea to wear one anyway — just in case. It could save your life!

2. Don’t forget your eyewear.

Always wear eye protection when riding your bike — full-face helmets with visors provide the best protection for both your eyes and face.

3. Ride safely and be aware of your surroundings.

Riding safely means avoiding distractions when riding your motorcycle. This includes things like talking on the phone or texting while driving. You should also avoid wearing headphones while riding your motorcycle because they can inhibit your ability to hear what’s going on around you.

4.Slow down when needed.

One of the most important things that you can do is slow down when needed — especially if there are other vehicles around or if it gets dark outside. You should also exercise caution when approaching intersections and stop signs because these areas are prime locations for accidents to occur.

5.Inspect your motorcycle

You should always inspect your bike before you ride it. This includes checking the tire pressure, oil level, coolant level and other fluids that may need to be topped off or replaced. If there is anything wrong with your bike’s tires or brakes, make these repairs before riding again. Below is our handy checklist:

• Check your tires, brakes, lights and controls.
• Make sure the bike is clean and free of debris that could affect its performance.
• Keep your tires properly inflated, especially when riding in hot weather.
• Wear protective gear, including a helmet and eye protection.
• Check your mirrors often to make sure you are not being followed too closely by other vehicles.

6.Never ride when intoxicated.

Alcohol and other drugs impair your judgment and reaction time — both essential skills when riding a motorcycle. If you plan on drinking while riding, don’t ride at all.

Riders who ride while intoxicated are more likely to be involved in a crash that leads to death or serious injuries because they are more likely to lose control of their bike while going around curves or stop signs and speeding through intersections.

If you plan on drinking alcohol before riding your bike, then make sure you have a designated driver or call a cab so that you don’t put yourself or others at risk for an accident.

7.Taillights should be on, especially at night

Motorcycle tail lights are vital for both the safety of you and others on the road; they help alert drivers behind you that you’re slowing down or stopping, which can prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. If there’s no light coming from your bike when it’s dark outside, you could be putting yourself and others at risk for an accident — especially if your bike is involved in an accident and no one sees it until after it has happened.

8.Signal when changing lanes or turning.