Serious motorcycle accidents can leave riders severely injured and facing significant medical bills, so motorcyclists and drivers alike must understand the causes and consequences of motorcycle collisions.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Texas Each Year?
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 2,422 motorcyclists suffered injuries in accidents in a recent year, and 562 were killed. More than half of these fatal motorcycle accidents resulted from collisions with cars or trucks.
In the same period, 17 people died, and 149 suffered suspected serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents here in Comal County.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas?
Many factors may cause or contribute to motorcycle accidents in Texas. Because motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, drivers often fail to notice them or misjudge their speed or distance from them. These factors, along with crowded roadways and increasing distraction, result in rising accident numbers.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Texas include:
- Distracted Driving – When drivers become distracted by texting, interacting with passengers, or other causes, they are more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Left-Hand Turn Accidents – More than half of all motorcycle accidents occur when motorists attempt to turn left in front of a motorcycle. Many misjudge how fast the motorcycle is going or think they can turn before the motorcycle crosses their path.
- Impaired Driving – Drivers who use drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause a motorcycle accident.
- Speeding – Speeding drivers who exceed the posted limit cause many motorcycle accidents.
- Driver Error – If a vehicle travels in the wrong direction, crosses the center line, or quickly swerves to avoid hitting an object, it can hit a motorcyclist head-on.
- Road Hazards – Motorcyclists can lose control if they encounter wet pavement, objects in the road, or potholes.
- Stationary Object Collisions – Road signs, guardrails, and construction equipment can cause serious injury if a motorcyclist collides with them, which can happen in loss-of-control accidents.
The easiest way for all motorists to avoid motorcycle accidents is to always pay attention to the road and follow traffic laws.
Who is Injured and Killed in Texas Motorcycle Accidents?
The victim of a New Braunfels motorcycle accident tends to sustain more severe injuries and is at a much higher risk of getting in a fatal crash than the drivers or occupants of passenger vehicles.
Tragically, many of the motorcyclists who were killed were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Of the 562 motorcyclists killed in a recent year, 217 were not wearing helmets, according to the Texas Department of Transportation, nor were 992 seriously injured motorcyclists. While wearing a helmet does not offer total protection against injury, it does save lives and prevents some head injuries from being even more severe.
Contact a New Braunfels Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Help
Motorcycle accident victims have the right to pursue compensation if another motorist caused their injuries. Burch Law Firm can help. Troy Burch has practiced in New Braunfels and the surrounding area since 1990 and has an established history as a successful motorcycle accident attorney. Contact Burch Law Firm today for a free case consultation.
