There are times when you see a car crash coming just before it actually happens. It might be because you hit an inopportune patch of ice or because you see someone barreling through an intersection and you don't have time to stop before you hit them. In any regard, you can make sure that you lessen your chances of getting seriously injured by remembering that there still may be time to react.

Step 1: Know Where to Go

Make sure you pay attention to side roads, sidewalks and other paths of travel that might get you out of the way. These are called escape routes. You should constantly be surveying the road ahead for them. For example, if you know you can cut left at an intersection without hitting anyone, you may be able to veer away from a driver who negligently turns in front of you.

Step 2: Train Yourself

Your number one resource in a fast and dangerous situation is training. If you haven't taken driver's ed since high school, it's time to take a defensive driving course. They're actually pretty enjoyable and the skills you get may well save your life someday, or someone else's.

Step 3: Know Your Vehicle

Being on the open road on a motorcycle is one of the most incredible feelings in the world. There's no reason that you should be afraid to do it, but you do have to give a little bit of extra consideration to the drivers around you. You face three primary threats you're on a motorcycle: people cannot see you very well; you don't have the same protection as the people driving in cars; and you're more susceptible to the effects of weather. There are three ways that you can help to reduce the significance of these three threats.

Be Seen

Some motorcycle drivers always wear high-visibility vests or jackets to make themselves stick out a little bit more. Traditionally, motorcycling gear is dark colored; usually black leather. The trade-off when choosing brighter colors is that you lose the protective qualities of leather. High-visibility clothing does have its advantages, but make sure that you leave your lights on and always assume that none of the other drivers on the road can see you at all. Drive accordingly and you'll be far less likely to get into certain types of accidents.

Know Your Limits

We've all had those moments when we got into a sort of impromptu competition with another driver, usually because of anger. If you do this on a motorcycle you will lose every single time. If someone is driving aggressively or trying to crowd you off the road, just get out of their way. Pull over if you have to. If they're being genuinely dangerous, get their plate number and call them in.

Know the Weather