Texas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcyclists face an increased risk of injury or death every time they use the road. The lack of safety features like airbags or seatbelts makes motorcycles more dangerous than typical passenger vehicles.

While the number of motorcyclist fatalities trended downward for several years, the number jumped from 5,044 to 5,579 fatalities between 2019 and 2020. This increase occurred despite historically low numbers of motorcyclists using the highways during the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas motorcycle accident statistics showed the same trend.

In Texas, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 17% in 2020, despite a 2% reduction in motorcycle accidents. Texas motorcyclist fatalities rose to 562 in 2022, in addition to 2,422 motorcyclists who suffered serious injuries.

Motorcycle accidents can happen in a variety of ways and for numerous reasons. If one party’s negligent or wrongful act causes the motorcycle accident, they may be liable for any losses stemming from the collision.

If you suffered injuries in a Texas motorcycle accident, contact our team at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP, today. 

Understanding Motorcycle Bias and How an Attorney Can Defeat It

Motorcycle bias refers to the prejudice and misconceptions that exist against motorcyclists, which can affect the outcome of personal injury claims following a motorcycle accident. This bias stems from societal stereotypes that unfairly portray motorcyclists as reckless, irresponsible, and prone to risky behavior. 

Such prejudice can influence how insurance companies, juries, and even law enforcement perceive motorcyclists involved in accidents. Overcoming this bias is critical for ensuring that injured motorcyclists receive fair compensation for their injuries. Here’s how an experienced Houston motorcycle attorney with Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP can combat motorcycle bias.

Recognizing Motorcycle Bias

Motorcycle bias can manifest in several ways, including the following:

• Law enforcement reports: Police officers may subconsciously or consciously attribute fault to motorcyclists based on stereotypes, resulting in biased accident reports.

• Insurance companies: Insurers may use these biases to justify denying claims or offering lower settlements, arguing that the motorcyclist’s behavior contributed to the accident.

• Jury perception: Societal biases can influence jurors, potentially leading them to side against motorcyclists in personal injury cases.

Strategies for Defeating Motorcycle Bias

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney employs several strategies to counteract these biases and build a strong case. These strategies include:

Performing a Thorough Investigation

A meticulous investigation is the foundation of any successful personal injury case. Your Texas motorcycle lawyer will gather comprehensive evidence to establish the facts of the accident, including:

• Accident scene analysis: A detailed examination of the accident scene, including photographs, skid marks, and vehicle damage, can provide objective evidence of how the accident occurred.

• Witness statements: Collecting testimonies from unbiased witnesses can help establish an accurate account of the events leading up to the accident.

• Surveillance footage: Video footage obtained from traffic cameras or nearby businesses can provide indisputable evidence of the accident dynamics.

Expert Testimony

Experts play a crucial role in dismantling motorcycle bias. For example, your Texas motorcycle attorneys may collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists who can objectively analyze the accident and provide a professional opinion on fault. Medical experts can testify about the extent and cause of your injuries, linking them directly to the accident and not to pre-existing conditions or reckless behavior.

Highlighting Safety Measures

Your lawyer may also emphasize your adherence to safety protocols to counteract bias. They can, for instance, argue you were wearing a helmet and appropriate safety gear. Your Texas motorcycle accident attorney can also provide evidence that you obeyed all traffic laws during the accident.

Personalizing the Motorcyclist

Humanizing the motorcyclist is a powerful strategy to combat bias. Your lawyer will present you as a responsible, careful, and law-abiding person. This can involve sharing personal stories and highlighting your role as a family member, professional, and community contributor. This approach can help jurors see beyond stereotypes and empathize with you.

Effective Communication

Clear and compelling communication is essential in overcoming bias. Your Texas motorcycle accident lawyer will craft persuasive narratives that focus on the case’s facts, the severity of your injuries, and the accident’s impact on your life. They’ll present straightforward evidence and refute any unfounded claims the opposition makes.

Common Types of Texas Motorcycle Accidents

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) reported that some motorcycle accident deaths occur when a driver misjudges the motorcycle’s distance and speed and tries to turn left in front of the oncoming motorcyclist.

In fact, nearly one-third of the Texas motorcyclist fatalities in 2020 occurred in an intersection or were intersection-related. Additionally, more than one-half of fatal motorcycle crashes involved the motorcycle colliding with another vehicle.

Other scenarios that result in motorcycle accidents include when:

• A distracted driver hits the back of a motorcycle,
• Another driver changes lanes and collides with the side of the motorcycle, or
• A driver forces the motorcyclist off the road.

Some distracted drivers simply do not see motorcyclists on the road, and their lack of awareness causes an accident. No matter how your motorcycle accident occurred, an attorney can help you determine if you qualify to file a personal injury suit.

Motorcycle vs. Car Accident Statistics

In 2022, Texas recorded 562 motorcyclist fatalities and 2,422 serious injuries involving motorcyclists. Approximately 39% of the motorcyclists killed in 2022 were not wearing helmets. Texas recorded 4,481 total motor vehicle fatalities, 244,092 injuries, and 15,299 serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents.

As you can see, Texas reports its fair share of motorcycle and car accidents. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact our team today to discuss your case.

Who Is at Fault in a Texas Motorcycle Accident? 

Fault is determined in a motorcycle accident by proving one party’s negligent or wrongful act caused the accident to occur. To show a party was negligent, you must prove four elements: 

1. Duty of care, 
2. Breach of Duty, 
3. Causation, and 
4. Loss. 

If you fail to prove just one element, you cannot show a party was negligent. A personal injury attorney can walk you through the complexities of establishing each element.

Duty of Care

First, drivers owe a duty of care to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. This means the driver has a duty to operate their vehicle the way a reasonable person would in the same or similar circumstances. Drivers owe this duty to motorcyclists as well as drivers of passenger vehicles.

Breach of Duty

A driver breaches their duty of care when they fail to act as a reasonable person would in the same or similar circumstances. The opposing party may breach their duty of care by:

• Speeding;
• Changing lanes without checking their mirrors;
• Driving recklessly;
• Texting while driving;
• Using social media while driving;
• Turning in front of a motorcycle that has the right-of-way;
• Disobeying traffic law, signs, and signals; and
• Backing out of a parking space without checking their surroundings.

An attorney can find proof of the opposing party’s breach by securing the police report and obtaining statements from witnesses.

Causation

Third, you must establish that the opposing party’s negligence caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. This means you need to show a connection between the opposing party’s wrongful or negligent act and the collision. 

Loss

You cannot recover through a personal injury claim if you did not suffer any losses. Losses can include your physical injuries or financial damages you incurred as a result of the collision.

Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents

As stated earlier, motorcycles lack many basic safety components in passenger vehicles. While motorcyclists can wear helmets and riding gear to protect themselves, the bike offers little to no protection from impact at any angle. Thus, motorcycle accidents typically result in severe injuries, such as:

• Loss of limbs,
• Road rash,
• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Paralysis,
• Broken bones,
• Internal bleeding, and
• Gaping wounds.

Any significant injury needs medical attention immediately. A medical report will document the extent and cause of your injuries. This information is crucial to proving your motorcycle accident claim.

Check out: 7 Critical Steps To Take After A Houston Motorcycle Accident

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP to Discuss Your Case

With Texas motorcyclist fatalities at an all-time high, motorcyclists should take extra care to stay safe on the roads. Unfortunately, getting into a motorcycle accident is sometimes inevitable. If you suffer injuries in a Texas motorcycle accident, contact an attorney at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP to discuss your claim. 

Our team has extensive experience helping injured victims recover the compensation they deserve. We recovered more than a million dollars on behalf of a teen who died in a motorcycle accident. The attorneys at Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP know what it takes to prepare a winning strategy and secure a favorable outcome for our clients.

We will not rest until the at-fault party is held responsible for their actions. Our founding partners, Scott Armstrong, and Joshua Lee, were selected as Super Lawyers® Rising Stars in 2022, a recognition reserved for only 2.5% of attorneys in Texas.

Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.