MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Riding a motorcycle brings a sense of adventure and freedom. However, with this adventure and freedom comes increased danger. For those who ride, you know all too well the dangers from other vehicles sharing the roadway with you. And an accident on a motorcycle offers a unique set of issues not found in your normal automobile accident. Having successfully represented injured riders in the past, we have the experience to understand those issues unique to motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle Accidents can be Serious
Motorcyclists simply don’t have the same protection that car drivers have; there is no barrier of steel between the fragile human rider and the road or other vehicles. Because motorcyclists are very exposed to all of the dangers of the roadway, motorcycle accidents are typically much more serious than a corresponding auto accident. A motorcycle rider may be thrown, crushed or pinned, whereas the chance of this happening to a car driver or passenger is much smaller.
Beyond the simple dangers inherent in riding a motorcycle versus driving a car, motorcycle accidents are far more likely to involve a stationary object than auto accidents. Poor road conditions can easily cause motorcycle accidents where riders hit trees, walls or guardrails, where a car would be much less likely to encounter the same issues. Colliding with a stationary object on a motorcycle can easily cause broken bones or internal injuries, and makes motorcycle accidents typically more serious than car accidents.
Motorcycle Statistics in Texas
In 2022, 562 motorcyclists lost their life in Texas due to motor vehicle crashes, which was an 8% increase from 2021. 39% of those killed were not wearing helmets. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and 4 times more likely to be injured.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
The motorcycle accident statistics reveal some startling trends. Many motorcycle accidents are caused because the other drivers on the road don’t give motorcycles enough space, or ‘don’t see’ motorcyclists at all. With a startling 40% of motorcycle accident fatalities in collisions with other vehicles caused by collisions with drivers turning left, vehicles turning left is one of the most dangerous things a motorcyclist encounters. Other common causes of motorcycle collisions with other vehicles include:
- Drivers merging into a lane not seeing a motorcycle
- Drivers passing another vehicle and not seeing a motorcycle during a lane change
- Drivers stopping suddenly
- Drivers turning left or right while a motorcyclist is going straight in the next lane
Defensive driving is the watchword to avoid motorcycle accidents, but “I didn’t see the motorcycle” isn’t a valid excuse. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, give me a call to make sure your rights are respected.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor scapres and bruises to fatalities. Some of the most common injuiries include:
- Road Rash: This occurs when a rider slides across the pavement, causing painful abrasions and sometime lasting scars.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a collision often results in fractures, espeially in the arms, legs, and ribs.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Event with a helmet, riders can suffer concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These can lead to paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening.
In Fort Worth with its busy interstates, and city streets, the risk of such injuries is high. It is crucial for riders to be aware of their surroundings and for other drivers to recognize they share the road with motorcycles.
Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney to Evaluate Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Motorcycle accidents are a very different type of case than auto accidents. Insurers find it easy to create reasons to deny a motorcycle accident claim, so you need an experienced lawyer who can properly investigate your case, attempt to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, and pursue your case to trial if needed. It is critical to have an experienced motorcycle injury attorney who has represented injured clients and taken their case to a jury trial. At the Fort Worth based Kisselburgh Law Firm, we have that experience. Give us a call to discuss your Texas motorcycle accident case, and say “no” to the hassle of dealing with the insurance companies and the uncertainty of not knowing whether you got what your case was worth. At the Kisselburgh Law Firm, we have the experience to represent you in your case. If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us online or call us to discuss your options.
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