In 2012, it was said that the state of Texas contained within its borders 80,000 miles of highways. And every day these highways see thousands of vehicles travel through them. Along with the cars, trucks, eighteen wheelers, are hundreds of motorcyclists driving through. In 2017, statistics showed more than 386,938 bikers were registered in the state. Perhaps because of that, Texas is often in the lead when it comes to motorcycle accidents. We thought we’d take a look at some of the main causes of these accidents in order to be more aware of motorcyclists on the road.
Unsafe of reckless lane changes. One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents are unsafe lane changes on the part of vehicles or the motorcyclists themselves. What happens too often is vehicles will fail to look at their blind spot before switching lanes. Because motorcyclists are easy to miss in these blind spots, this scenario will be the cause of many accidents. This is often also caused by failing to use the turn signal when switching lanes and thus failing to give ample warning to surrounding motorists.
Speeding and reckless driving. Going at a high speed is one common cause of car accidents across the board. When it comes to motorcyclists, speed becomes very dangerous. If the person on the motorcycle is speeding, it puts them at high risk of being unable to react properly and increases the chances of them losing control. Similarly, if vehicles around are speeding and fail to follow the rules of the road, motorcyclists are at high risk of injury due to their vulnerability.
Alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol related motor accidents are still very much a problem. The rise in driving services like Uber or Lyft, these accidents have diminished but they continue to be a factor. Motorcycle riders that drive under the influence put themselves at high risk of accident or injury, particularly if they neglect to wear a helmet.
Left-Hand Turns. You might be surprised to find out that a big percentage that involve a motorcycle and a car happened when a car made that left hand turn and failed to indicate it properly, or the motorcycle driver was distracted.
Take Precautions and Protect Yourself
In Texas, there is no motorcycle helmet law, but wearing one can really protect motorcycle drivers. Estimates indicate that implementing a helmet law might protect thousands of motorcycle riders and even reduce medical bills and costs every year in the state.
Protect Yourself With the Right Legal Defense
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident you may be entitled to compensation. These cases can get complicated and it’s best to have an experienced attorney guide you through the process. Quinonez Law Firm will guide you through the necessary steps to insure you see the payment you deserve.