According to the Texas Department of Transportation, a motorcyclist is killed on average in a crash on Texas roads every day.
Last year, motorcycle accidents caused 482 fatalities, which accounted for 12% of all traffic fatalities statewide.
The major cause of motorcycle accidents is another motorist’s failure to detect and recognize the riders in traffic.
A motorcyclist’s position on the bike and overall visibility may be limited by other vehicles, the sun, or the glare on their helmets, which may keep them from seeing all potential hazards at once. This means motorists must make a concerted effort to look twice for motorcycles before switching lanes or making turns.
Here are the other major causes of motorcycle accidents, injuries, and personal injury attorneys in Austin.
What are the Top Ten Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas?
Outside of passenger vehicle drivers “not seeing” motorcyclists before a crash occurs, there are many other factors that can lead to these catastrophic collisions.
They include:
- Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, including talking on the phone, texting, grooming, or interacting with other passengers, is the leading cause of car accidents in the United States. The same is true for motorcycle accidents.
However, motorcyclists must also be aware of their surroundings, and be on the lookout for drivers who are not paying attention.
- Left-Hand Turn Accidents
Over half of all motorcycle accidents occur when drivers turn left in front of a motorcyclist. Whether they misjudge how quickly the motorcycle is traveling, or simply think they can beat the biker, these crashes often tragically result in the motorcyclist being ejected from their bike.
- Head-On Collisions
When a vehicle crosses the centerline of a road, is traveling in the wrong direction, or swerves to avoid a pothole, animal, or another road hazard, he or she can change a motorcyclist’s life by hitting them head-on.
- Speeding
33% of all traffic collisions are caused by speeding drivers. The same is true in fatal motorcycle accidents.
- Impaired Driving
Drivers — whether they are in a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle — should never drink or do drugs and drive.
- Road Hazards
Because motorcyclists are on two wheels instead of four, losing control can happen quickly when they encounter potholes, wet pavement, objects on the road, or animals crossing the street.
- Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when motorcyclists drive in gaps between passenger vehicles during heavy traffic — and it is illegal in Texas. When motorcyclists take lane-splitting “short cuts” their chances of getting hit by another car that does not see them grow exponentially.
- Colliding with a Stationary Object
Stationary objects like guardrails, road signs, construction warnings, or other obstacles can cause serious injuries or even death for motorcyclists, as they are typically ejected from the bike when they do collide with them.
- High-Performance Motorcycles
High-performance motorcycles are optimized for racing. That means they are faster and more agile than standard street motorcycles. When they are operated off the course, they can prove too powerful for traffic patterns and lead to catastrophic accidents.
Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys’s experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Texas are rider advocates who are dedicated to helping motorcyclists who have been injured and to family members who have tragically lost their loved ones while riding.
Contact Our Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys Today
Our experienced team of professionals is founding members of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, and we are committed to protecting the rights and well-being of our biker communities throughout the state.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Texas, call us at Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
We pursue dedicated, driven results for our clients, and there is never a charge to talk to an attorney. We stand ready to help you. Call (512) 883-0277 today.
