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Severe accidents are an unfortunate reality for many motorcyclists on U.S. roads. Even the most seasoned motorcycle rider is at high risk of injury if they are involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. With limited protection, riders are in a particularly vulnerable state if they lose control or another driver is careless. What is the primary cause of motorcycle crashes?<\/p>\n
Why are motorcycle deaths increasing in our state despite the decrease in vehicles on the road? What can be done to help this growing problem and to keep Texas riders safe? Read below for the common factors that contribute to bike crashes and safety tips from an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer<\/a> so that we can try to prevent these devastating events from happening in the first place.<\/p>\n According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)<\/a>, there were over 9,000 motorcycle accidents resulting in injury or death in 2022 alone. Of the 562 fatalities, 39% of them were in crashes where the individual was not wearing a helmet<\/a>.<\/p>\n While failing to use appropriate safety gear is a main risk when riding a bike, there are additional factors that are commonly associated with motorcycle accidents, including:<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the common trend among these causes of motorcycle accidents is the negligent actions of nearby motorists. This means motorcyclists must be extra vigilant every time they travel from one place to another on their bikes.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In an effort to curb the increasing numbers of motorcyclist fatalities, organizations like TxDOT have ramped up safety campaigns such as \u201cShare the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles<\/a>\u201d and \u201c#EndTheStreakTX<\/a>.\u201d These programs are geared toward raising awareness and encouraging drivers to make safe choices and be aware of their surroundings on Texas roads. Yet, is it enough?<\/p>\n While the prevalence of motorcycle accidents in Texas is a scary reality, there are ways in which drivers and motorcyclists can work together to prevent crashes and injuries. Follow the suggested safety tips below to help keep drivers, motorcycle riders, and passengers safe.<\/p>\n All drivers in Texas are required to carry liability automotive insurance<\/a> to pay for damages and injuries when they are found at fault for an accident. Because motorcycle riders are often seriously hurt after a crash and have substantial medical bills, they may exhaust the limits of the liable driver\u2019s coverage. Even in a minor wreck, dealing with an insurance adjuster can be frustrating as they try to prevent fraud when the rider just needs their bills paid.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, bikers face a very real phenomenon called \u201cmotorcycle bias.\u201d This bias means both the insurance company and other drivers expect that motorcyclists are prone to driving fast and taking chances with the law. This bias can make it more challenging to prove the other motorist is at fault or that you don\u2019t bear any blame for the crash.<\/p>\n If a settlement agreement can\u2019t be reached, the injured rider may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, a jury may also be subject to motorcycle bias. In these instances, it can help to engage a motorcycle accident attorney who is skilled in negotiating against these prejudices to secure the compensation the injured victim deserves.<\/p>\n In Texas, drivers are only required to carry a minimum of $60,000 of insurance for injuries per accident and $25,000 for property damage. When you add up potential emergency transport, ER costs, ICU stays, and surgery, most motorcycle riders will need far more than that just to regain consciousness. Once they are past the worst of it, they often need rehabilitation and physical therapy services to walk and function again.<\/p>\n Other costs include repairing or replacing property, such as the motorcycle, cell phone, expensive riding gear, and computer. On top of this, the excruciating pain, mental trauma, and isolation riders may feel if they are disabled or scarred must be accounted for in the list of damages. Unfortunately, many insurance policies only cover injuries and property damage, meaning your emotional suffering is unaddressed.<\/p>\n Motorcyclists have no such protection. They can only depend on their riding skill, safety gear, and the attention of other drivers. When they are in an accident, bike riders may be injured by any of three kinds of trauma:<\/p>\n When an object strikes the rider, or they are thrown into an object, they experience blunt force trauma. In the worst instances, this is enough to kill a rider on impact. This force can damage your bones, head, internal organs, muscles, neck, and spine. Even those who are wearing an approved helmet<\/a> can suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).<\/p>\n A sudden stop during a rear-end or head-on collision puts tremendous strain on the body due to deceleration. One of the most common injuries happens when the rider\u2019s brain is moved suddenly inside the skull, resulting in a coup-contrecoup injury<\/a>. Internal organs can also be compressed or crushed by stopping unexpectedly.<\/p>\n When a foreign object enters the body, lungs, bowels, and other areas, organs can be punctured. Many riders wear full motorcycle leathers<\/a> yet can still suffer penetrating trauma if their ribs are broken.<\/p>\n Regardless of the details of their accident, motorcycle riders are prone to a variety of severe injuries, including:<\/p>\nCommon Factors That Cause Motorcycle Accidents<\/h2>\n
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Safety Tips To Prevent Motorcycle Accidents<\/h2>\n
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Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident<\/h2>\n
Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Severe and Costly<\/h2>\n
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Many motorcycle accident claims can be settled by working with the insurance company to negotiate a fair and appropriate amount for your damages. However, because bike riders can be so severely hurt, their recovery can require substantial medical expense that lasts for months or even years after the wreck. In some instances, they are permanently disabled or pass away, leaving their families with additional financial burdens.<\/p>\nCommon Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident<\/h2>\n
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Because motorcycle riders are not contained within their vehicle, they suffer the physical forces of an accident much more severely than individuals in passenger cars or trucks. Having a metal box, seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones lessen the effects of hitting another object. They also mean passengers in a car are at less risk of being thrown from the vehicle and hit by other automobiles.<\/p>\nBlunt Force Trauma<\/h3>\n
Decelerating Trauma<\/h3>\n
Penetrating Trauma<\/h3>\n
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes<\/h3>\n