Motorcycle Accidents

Steps Involved In A Motorcycle Accident Investigation

At The Law Offices Of J. Robert Davis, we have dealt with accident sites and obtained evidence to help our clients maximize their cases. We want to make sure you receive the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses and other damages. To begin, we’ll need evidence that someone else was responsible for your injuries, such as:

• Eyewitness statements
• Crash report
• At-fault driver’s insurance policy
• Your medical records and medical bills
• Accident scene photos and evidence
• Video surveillance footage of the collision
• Repair estimates for your motorcycle and other vehicles involved

We will calculate how much insurance coverage is available after completing our study. Every motorist in Texas is required by law to have auto insurance that covers minimum liability amounts for both bodily injury and property damage. The fault system is used in Texas, which implies that the driver who causes an accident is responsible for any losses incurred by a victim.

We will file a claim and pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to after determining how much coverage is on the at-fault motorist’s insurance policy. Some policies don’t have enough liability allowances to cover all of your losses. If that happens, we may submit a claim with your vehicle insurance provider or sue the other driver in court.

Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents

Although motorcyclists themselves can sometimes cause accidents, a new study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation found that a vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused when negligent drivers of motor vehicles violate the rights of motorcycle riders on roadways, particularly at busy intersections. Intersection accidents most frequently occur when a driver turns left into an oncoming motorcycle because they failed to see it. According to studies, drivers are unable to identify motorcycles with a lower profile in traffic owing to a lack of caution and attention on the part of the driver. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Texas include the following:

An Unsafe Lane Change

If a car’s driver doesn’t check their blind spot or use their turn signal, they may hit a motorcyclist.

Speeding

When a car strikes a motorcycle at high speed, it can result in serious injuries. Drivers must abide by the posted speed limit and adapt their driving to changing road and weather conditions.

Distracted Driving

Cell phones and other forms of distraction divert the driver’s attention and focus away from the task of driving. They can’t react to an emergency, stop instantaneously when traffic comes to a halt, or stay in their own lane.

A Failure To Yield

Motorcyclists should be cautious when they come upon intersections. Motorcyclists who attempt to pass when they don’t have the right of way risk colliding with the side of a vehicle.

Tailgating

Following another vehicle too closely can be dangerous. If the back of a bike collides with the rear of a vehicle, the rider might be thrown and suffer fatal injuries.

Impairment By Drugs Or Alcohol

Alcohol and drugs reduce drivers’ abilities to drive safely. It causes slower reaction time, diminished motor skills, and sleepiness.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Bicycles and motorcycles are both two-wheeled vehicles that might be difficult to detect at times. Both cyclists and motorcyclists should be aware of a number of distinct sorts of accidents. You’ll learn about some of the most prevalent kinds of bike crashes below.

Accidents Involving Cars And Trucks

The most severe accidents are caused by other cars, particularly those with much bigger dimensions. Because the driver is unaware of the motorcycle and may inflict significant damage, the other vehicle will typically change lanes or turn into the motorcycle’s path.

Single-Bike Accidents

Police reports are frequently used to determine who is at fault in single-bike crashes. However, it’s quite typical for road debris or other roadway hazards to be the true cause. These include a high slide, a low slide, and an “endo” accident.

Rear-End Collisions

Larger cars can’t come to a complete stop as quickly as motorcycles or bicycles. There are many examples of drivers being careless until it’s too late, colliding with unsuspecting motorcyclists from behind. Collisions at the rear end may be especially hazardous, and a San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney will frequently handle such claims.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists are far more vulnerable than passengers in regular cars who have the safety of a full-sized vehicle in the event of an accident. Even when a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, he or she is frequently wounded by one or more of the following injuries.

• Spinal cord and back trauma (possible paralysis)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
• Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations or road rash
• Severe disfigurement
• Whiplash

It’s critical to remember that emergency operations aren’t always successful. There may be complications during the surgery, or the surgery’s success may not be likely. When receiving treatment, it’s crucial to realize that nothing is guaranteed. Because of a lack of knowledge or negligence on the doctor’s part, medical malpractice occurs in many cases.

Often, motorcycle accidents are caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence. When drivers fail to give motorcyclists the space they need on the roadways, collisions become common, particularly on the busy Texas roads. Motorcycle riders are also at a higher risk of being injured by intoxicated or distracted drivers, who are even less attentive. Fortunately, a San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you with your accident and recommend the next steps you should take to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Texas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The statistics on motorcycle accidents in Texas are startling. Many innocent people are killed or severely injured as a consequence of someone else’s carelessness behind the wheel. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 493 motorcycle fatalities in one recent year, with 5,264 significant injury motorcycle accidents in that year. Cases involving minor injuries numbered 1,840, and there were 1,029 non-injury crashes.

The facts are clear: motorcyclists face a high risk of catastrophic injury or death in any collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,957 motorcyclists were killed in the United States last year, up 7% from the previous year. During that period, 93,000 motorcyclists were hurt, up 15 percent compared to the prior year. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorbikes kill more than 30 people each year for every billion miles traveled. Per billion miles, motorbikes kill over 30 people per year, compared to less than 10 drivers and passengers in automobiles.

Contact An Experienced San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Personal injury claims are extremely time-sensitive and must be handled immediately to preserve the true facts of the accident. It is critical to act swiftly to maintain all evidence viable, investigate the cause of the motorcycle accident, and file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact our San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney today for a free consultation.