Motorcycle accidents are incredibly common. Motorcycles require skill and balance to ride. If something throws off your balance, you could slide.
Even if you have excellent riding skills, your motorcycle is almost invisible to drivers. Many drivers do not spot motorcycles on the roads through a combination of size, speed, and cognitive bias. As a result, you could end up in a motorcycle accident even though you did everything right.
Read on to learn motorcycle safety tips that can reduce your chances of getting injured or killed in a motorcycle accident.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Texas?
With nearly 420,000 registered motorcycles, Texas has one of the highest motorcycle accident rates in the U.S.
In 2021, Texas had 8,847 motorcycle accidents — an accident rate of 2.1%. These accidents caused 521 deaths — a fatality rate of 124 deaths per 100,000 registered motorcycles, which is more than twice the national average.
Motorcycle accidents in 2021 also caused 8,078 injuries. Texas’s injury rate is 1,923 injuries per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Again, this is nearly double the national average.
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Overview of Motorcycle Safety Tips in Texas
Texas does not release statistics about the causes of motorcycle accidents. But it releases statistics about the causes of all motor vehicle accidents, including those involving motorcycles.
Motorcyclists can use these numbers to avoid the situations that lead to motorcycle accidents.
The top ways to avoid motorcycle accidents in Texas include:
Slow Down
The top cause of motor vehicle accidents in Texas is speeding. Speeding can take two different forms. Exceeding the speed limit means you are traveling too fast for your location. You could hit slower vehicles, construction workers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Traveling too fast for conditions means you failed to slow down based on road or weather conditions. Curves, slick pavement, and road damage can knock you off balance and send your motorcycle into a slide.
When you slow down, remain aware of cars around you. Rear-end collisions involving motorcycles can cause catastrophic injuries. If someone is speeding and tailgating you, move over so they can pass.
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Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is the second-most common cause of accidents in Texas. Distracted driving slows your reaction by delaying when you spot road and traffic hazards. Distractions can also cause you to lose control of your motorcycle.
Avoid multitasking while riding your motorcycle. Even talking on a hands-free headset can distract your mind. Since motorcycles require more skill and attention to ride safely, any distraction can lead to an accident.
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Watch for Inattentive Drivers
Even if you avoid distractions, you can still get hit by a distracted driver. Drive defensively. Drivers have a hard enough time spotting motorcycles. A distracted driver will likely fail to see you until after you collide.
The most common maneuvers that cause motor vehicle accidents include lane changes and left turns. These are also the most dangerous maneuvers for motorcyclists.
Anticipate that drivers will not see you when making left turns or passing. Leave yourself extra space and execute the maneuvers quickly to avoid sitting in the crosshairs of an inattentive driver.
Wear a Helmet
You cannot avoid every accident. Wearing a helmet will cut your risk of a head injury by 69% and your risk of death by 42%.
What Types of Injuries Usually Happen in Motorcycle Crashes?
The most common injuries in motorcycle crashes include lower and upper extremity injuries like road rash and fractured bones. When you crash, you risk going into a slide. As you slide, your arm and leg can get crushed and scraped across the ground.
Another common motorcycle crash injury is a head injury. A head injury, including injuries to the face and neck, is particularly likely when you fail to wear a helmet.
Who Bears Liability in Motorcycle Crashes in Texas?
Texas uses an at-fault system for motorcycle crashes. This means that a person who causes a motorcycle crash bears the financial liability for the resulting damages. If a driver caused your crash due to a failure to exercise reasonable care, the driver must pay your damages.
Texas also uses a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. This means that you could share in the liability if you contributed to the cause of the crash. You will even be barred from recovering compensation if you are 51% or more at fault.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Houston
You cannot avoid every crash. Sometimes, another driver’s negligence leads to your injuries. When this happens, you can pursue injury compensation.
Contact or call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000 for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you can seek.
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