For many Texans, the thrill of riding a motorcycle is an unparalleled experience, offering a sense of freedom that is hard to match. A motorcycle’s open design allows riders to feel the wind, connect with the elements, and immerse themselves in their surroundings as they journey to their destination. This exhilarating aspect of motorcycle riding adds a dash of adventure to life. However, it’s important to remember that the factors that make it so enjoyable also make it dangerous.
The Houston Metropolitan area, with its vibrant attractions and events like the Houston Rodeo and Galveston Lone Star Motorcycle Rally, is a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts. However, the city’s bustling streets, aggressive drivers, and large vehicles like 18-wheelers create unique hazards for motorcyclists. This makes it crucial for riders to be extra cautious and aware of their surroundings when navigating the city’s roads.
In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) noted that 599 motorcyclists were killed, a nearly 7% increase from the year prior. In 2022, more than 2,400 riders were seriously injured. TxDOT is helping drivers understand how easy it is to lose sight of motorcycles and the dangers motorcyclists face by taking part in a social media initiative and word-of-mouth campaign that encourages drivers and motorcyclists to make safer choices. Despite their best efforts, accidents will continue to occur. If you find yourself or a loved one seriously injured – a motorcycle personal injury attorney can help you navigate the aftermath of an accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Distracted Driving: Many accidents occur because car drivers fail to see motorcycles. This can happen because motorcycles are smaller, and drivers are not actively looking for them on the road. Using mobile phones, eating, and other distractions can lead to drivers not noticing motorcyclists.
- Tailgating: This is when the gap between you and the vehicle in front is too small for you to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes. Car drivers tailgating on the rear end of the motorcycle is a typical driving behavior, leaving little room for the motorcyclist to maneuver their bike safely in traffic, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
- Left-turn Collisions: Due to motorcycles’ smaller size, car drivers making left turns at intersections often misjudge the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcycle, leading to head-on collisions.
- Sudden Lane Changes: This is where a car suddenly veers into the space you are occupying on the road. Motorcycles easily fit into blind spots, and drivers are not keen to see motorcycles.
- Speeding: Speeding is a significant factor in motorcycle accidents as it limits the time to react, increases stopping distance, increases the risk of losing control, and causes more significant damage due to the force of the collision and the motorcycle’s open nature. Motorcyclists are ejected and often make a substantial impact on the pavement.
Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents
- Head Injuries: TxDOT reported that nearly 40% of the 599 motorcyclists killed in 2023 were not wearing helmets, and while helmets are legally required for Texans, there are some exceptions. However, even with protective gear such as a helmet – riders can suffer from concussions, skull fractures, brain bleeds, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries that may lead to permanent and long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
- Spine Cord Injuries: Depending on the mechanism of injury and the injury’s location and severity, damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis of the body and the limbs.
- Internal Injuries: Even with protective gear, each piece of garment has a performance limit and will only protect a person up to a certain point. The impact from the crash or from being thrown from the motorcycle onto the pavement can cause severe internal bleeding from organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs.
- Road Rash: When a motorcyclist slides across the pavement after an accident, it can cause severe skin abrasions, referred to as road rash. These can range from mild scrapes to deep wounds exposing bone that require skin grafts. Gear is designed to spread the impact to a greater area and save you from road rash. However, it won’t mitigate everything.
- Fractures: Due to the motorcycle’s open nature, arms and legs are vulnerable during an accident. The most common fractures are in the leg (tibia, fibula, and femur), lower arm (radius, ulna, and humerus), and ribs.
What Should I Do Next?
Motorcyclists often face a negative stigma on the road, leading other drivers to hold a negative attitude about sharing the road with them. Motorcyclists have the same rights as car drivers, and at Ghuneim Law Firm, we work tirelessly to prosecute negligent drivers who were at fault for causing motorcycle accidents and injuries.
Ghuneim Law Firm’s legal representation extends to the residents in the Pasadena-Houston Metro area. Call us today at 281-487-8929.
References:
Motorcyclist Deaths on the Rise in Texas. Texas Department of Transportation. (2024, May 1). https://www.txdot.gov/about/newsroom/statewide/motorcyclist-deaths-on-the-rise-in-texas.html
Texas Department of Transportation. (2024, April 24). Texas Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Facts Calendar Year 2023. https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/trf/crash-reports-