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Auto and Motorcycle Accidents
Automobile and motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of personal injury and death in the U.S., with almost three million injuries and over 40,000 deaths each year.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident because of the negligence of others, you may be entitled to payments for personal injury or wrongful death. We may be able to help you to recover payments for medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, physical pain and emotional suffering, disability, and future losses.
Even though someone is wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the motorcycle rider or their passenger can be severely injured, even killed, when the motorcycle is hit by a motor vehicle weighing thousands of pounds more than the bike. Often the motorcyclist’s injuries are catastrophic, such as a spinal cord injury like a broken neck or back, resulting in permanent paralysis from the neck down (“quadriplegia”) or from the waist down (“paraplegia”).
The motorcyclist may suffer broken arms, legs, ribs, and other bones. Even though the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, it is still possible for him or her to suffer traumatic brain injury by the brain’s hitting against the inside of the skull. The motorcyclist may also suffer severe friction burns by being dragged along the asphalt or pavement for any distance. You also risk the possibility of a ruptured fuel tank catching fire, causing you to be severely burned (“thermal” burns).
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is imperative that you call us today.
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Motorcycle Accidents
According to Texas Department of Transportation’s “Count of Vehicles in Accidents by Body Style” report, 8,322 motorcycles were involved in vehicle accidents across the State of Texas in 2021. Out of these, 2,820 involved a suspected serious injury or a fatality. In fact, there were only a little over 1,100 motorcycle accidents that did not involve any injury to those involved out of the over 8,300 motorcycle accidents.
If you or someone you care about has been in a motorcycle accident, contact us now for a free consultation. We will explore the legal options with you and do our best to help you through this situation. Contact An Expert Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Motorcycle Safety
Motorcycle accidents can be very severe, with over 2,000 in Texas alone involving incapacitating injuries in 2021, which is an almost 5% increase from 2020’s 1,800 motorcycle accidents involving serious injuries (https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2020/28.pdf). That is why it is important to curb the numbers this year and understand how to stay safe while motorcycling. Here are some guidelines on how to stay safe on the roads:
· Don’t Drink and Drive: No matter what kind of vehicle it is, a drunk (or drugged) driver should never be behind the wheel. Countless deaths and injuries have been caused by people who had consumed alcohol or some sort of drug before or during driving, even when they did not think they were very drunk. Never drink and drive.
· Obey Traffic Laws: Whenever on the road, “obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits, and lane markings” (https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles). Failure to do so may very well result in serious injury or death, no matter what you drive.
· Wear a Helmet at All Times: Whenever you take your motorcycle down the road, it is generally required that you wear a helmet AT ALL TIMES, especially if you are under 21 years old. If you get in an accident, a helmet can drastically reduce your chances of getting a serious brain injury or death from an accident while on the road. According to TXDoT’s records, out of the 521 motorcyclists killed in 2021 in the State of Texas, 45% were not wearing a helmet (https://ftp.txdot.gov/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2021/01.pdf).
· Stay Out of the Center of the Lane: When driving your motorcycle down the road, TXDoT says that you should “Avoid the center of the lane where debris and oil build up” (Motorcycle Safety).
· Never Drive Without a valid Motorcyclist ID: It is important to never drive your motorcycle without a proper ID. Not only is this a very unsafe practice, but it could result in serious consequences if you are found without one on the road, it could mean a nearly $200 fine according to https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.521.htm, Section 521.025 (c).
While these are not all of the safety guidelines you should follow as a motorcyclist, these cover the basics of motorcycle safety that should be followed almost regardless of circumstance. In addition to those listed above, always make sure that you have taken a safety course on motorcycling before getting onto the roads. Also make sure that you know your motorcycle well enough before driving on open roads by both test driving and performing an inspection to ensure that it function properly. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, call us now to receive a free consultation. Call Giunta Law 800-515-7200 Now!
