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Each year, well over 10,000 motorcyclists are involved in collisions that result in more than 6,100 severe injuries. These incidents frequently occur abruptly and without warning, leaving victims with major, often life-threatening, injuries.
In fact, per the latest data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,579 motorcycle fatalities, accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities reported in the last year alone. This is the highest level of motorcyclist deaths since the FARS reporting program began in 1975.
Sadly, it's not surprising that these incidents result in such severe injuries and fatalities. After all, the only thing separating the majority of motorcyclists from the road is their protective equipment.
If you've been involved in a motorcycle wreck in Texas, it's important to contact an accident attorney as soon as possible. In the meantime, learn more about other essential steps to take in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident.
Officials in Texas reportedly saw a nearly 18% rise in motorcycle deaths throughout 220 compared to 2019, despite a 2% decrease in motorcycle collisions and significantly reduced traffic as a result of the pandemic.
In point of fact, over the course of the year, roughly 480 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents on Texas highways. There were about 7,480 motorcycle accidents in Texas in 2020, resulting in more than 1,855 severe injuries on top of these fatalities.
Each year in May, the Texas Department of Transportation launches its annual campaign to raise awareness about the need to look twice for motorcycles on the road and keep the common causes of these incidents in mind.
According to the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), a leading cause of death for motorcyclists is left-hand turns by motorists who fail to account for the bike's size and speed. Tragically, nearly a third of all motorcyclist deaths in Texas last year were caused by or connected to an intersection. And needless to say, motorcycle accidents frequently occur at the hands of distracted drivers.
Motorcycle accidents, like other forms of traffic collisions, are often caused by the negligence of one or more drivers. However, motorcycle accidents in Texas often have catastrophic results and are generally the result of a few common (yet reckless) maneuvers. Some examples of these main causes include but are not limited to the following:
Nearly a third of motorcycle deaths are caused by speeding, whereas just 18% of typical car accident fatalities are caused by speeding.
Motorcycle riders who collide with immobile objects account for approximately 24% of fatal accidents.
Another driver is involved in over 40% of fatal motorcycle accidents. Oftentimes, this second driver causes the collision by making a left turn in front of a motorcyclist.
Unfortunately, a left-turning vehicle poses the greatest threat to motorcyclists approaching an intersection from that direction. In fact, this is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents and deaths. Traffic experts say most motorcycle accidents at intersections involve left turns (52%), whereas just about 5% involve right turns.
Drunk or otherwise intoxicated motorcyclists cause about 27% of all deadly motorcycle crashes on the road. Furthermore, around 42% of fatalities reported were from single-vehicle motorcycle accidents involving a biker who had been drinking.
Other major causes of this kind of accident in the Lone Star State are:
In motorcycle accidents, head and brain injuries are almost 70% less likely to occur if the rider is wearing a helmet. Authorities estimate that about 1,630 motorcyclists survive accidents each year, on average, because they wear a helmet.
Aside from wearing the proper gear, it's important to stay alert and aware of your surroundings while riding a motorcycle. Ensure that you never exceed the speed limit and never ride while impaired.
First and foremost, your health and safety should be your main focus after an accident. Verify that you and the other parties involved in a wreck have not suffered serious injuries.
If you've been hurt, consult a medical professional right away. Always request a copy of your medical files after seeing a doctor. Your attorney may utilize these documents as evidence in case you end up in court or need to file an insurance claim.
Having law enforcement present at the site of the collision may also assist with any legal claims that may arise as a result of the incident. Get a copy of the police report so that your motorcycle accident attorney can use this document for evidence.
Motorcycle accident scenes should be photographed, with all other details recorded, as soon as possible. In order to prove fault, your attorney will need you to provide photographs of the accident site.
From there, get everyone's names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers. You and your lawyer will require the contact details of all individuals involved and their respective insurance providers.
If possible, jot down any witness statements from anybody who saw what happened or was involved in the collision. These testimonies may assist in confirming a neutral narrative of the events.
Of course, securing evidence from many sources helps strengthen your case. Likewise, it's important that you never provide a recorded statement to an insurance company or accept any fault at the scene of an accident (in other words, don't apologize, even if you're sure about who is at fault). Let your motorcycle accident lawyer in Dallas do the talking for you.
Fear of legal fees should not prevent you from obtaining the representation you need to win your case. At the Rasansky Law Firm, our team has more than three decades of experience assisting victims of accidents caused by negligent and irresponsible drivers.
What's more, in the event of a personal injury or unlawful death resulting from a motorcycle accident, you pay nothing unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf. Our fee will be deducted from the finalized settlement proceedings, so you'll never have to stress about paying out of pocket in advance.
Victims of motorcycle accidents whose injuries were caused by the carelessness of others must act swiftly to protect their legal rights. Waiting can put your chances of receiving a settlement award at risk.
As soon as you're ready to get started on your case, we're here to help you and yours evaluate your legal options and discuss the details of your accident. Call our attorneys at 214-651-6100 for a free case evaluation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Dallas will stop at nothing to safeguard your legal rights at this frustrating time in your life.
Note: The information that was utilized in this post was gathered from the use of secondary sources. This information used has not been confirmed or independently verified. If you locate any information that is not correct, please contact our firm as soon as possible so that we can make the appropriate corrections. If you find any information that is false, we will remove or correct the post immediately after it is brought to our attention.
Disclaimer: As a valued member of the Dallas community, Rasansky Law Firm’s goal is to improve the safety of all residents in the great state of Texas. These posts should not be viewed as a solicitation for business and the information included herein should not be taken as medical or legal advice. The photos used in this post are not representative of the actual crash scene.
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