Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 22, 2022 | Motorcycle Accidents
It’s an unfortunate fact that roads and highways see motorcycle accidents regularly, and Fort Worth transit is no different. In particular, the summer has seen regular fatal motorcycle accidents in the area. After all, motorcyclists are completely exposed to the forces of other vehicles. They also face a significant risk of injuries from the road itself that motor vehicle drivers and their passengers do not.
Motorcyclists in Texas Are on the Rise
In 2021, over 500 motorcycle riders were killed on Texas roadways, and another 2,318 suffered serious injuries. However, motorcyclists remain undeterred. Each year, the number of motorcycles registered with the Texas Department of Transportation increases. As of 2022, there are nearly 420,000 bikes registered with the state.
With an ever-increasing number of motorcycles and riders, you can reasonably expect a corresponding increase in motorcycle accidents. However, does this mean that you face a greater risk of being in a motorcycle accident?
It depends. More important factors play a role in your chances of getting in a motorcycle crash than how many motorcycles are on the road. In fact, according to former TxDOT Executive Director James, the majority of motorcycle crashes he’s seen were caused by motor vehicles at intersections, not other motorcyclists.
Reducing Your Odds of Getting in a Motorcycle Accident
Although it is impossible to give an exact number representing your odds of being in an accident, you can take action to reduce your risk and take to the roads safely.
Your Safety Starts With You
First and foremost, you can directly reduce the odds of experiencing a crash by observing all of the motorcycle safety rules, including:
- Wearing a helmet
- Wearing other protective gear, such as goggles and protective clothing
- Having a properly functioning and equipped motorcycle
- Having experience enough to ride safely
- Obeying traffic rules, including refraining from lane splitting
- Refraining from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
You can also help reduce your odds of experiencing a motorcycle crash by driving defensively. Defensive driving keeps you in an elevated state of awareness while on the road, especially when motor vehicles and other motorcycles are present.
Understanding the Time of Year
The majority of motorcycle accidents and fatalities take place from May to October, a fact that should be unsurprising to most bikers. After all, the weather is usually pleasant, ideal for riding.
Across the nation, and in Fort Worth especially, people are ready to get out and enjoy the fresh air. However, Texas roads see a lot of travel at this time, and not just from motorcycles. With so much traffic on the road, it’s important to take extra care during this time.
Location and Context
Single-motorcycle crashes do occur. However, safe riders are typically only involved in crashes with motor vehicles due to the negligence of the car or truck driver. Frequently, these crashes come down to size and visibility. Many motorists fail to yield to riders at intersections and therefore run into them. Due to not having a metal exterior protecting them, low-speed intersection crashes that would merely dent a car may prove to be fatal for a motorcycle rider.
As such, increasing your visibility and expecting a car to hit you can help reduce your odds of getting in a wreck, as well as always driving in a safe and responsible fashion.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
