Motorcyclist in Critical Condition After Car Accident
A motorcyclist was left in critical condition after being hit by a car on March 19 in South Austin. While no definitive cause has been stated for the accident, the scene indicated that the driver did not see the motorcyclist coming and struck him from the side. As of this writing no charges have been filed, but it is important to remember that all drivers should be especially alert for motorcyclists on Texas roads, with a failure to do so having serious consequences.
Motorcycle Accidents Happen Frequently
Texas is a state that loves its motorcycles, and with a higher number of riders comes a higher number of accidents. Data from the Texas Department of Transportation shows nearly 500 motorcyclists killed in 2015, while only California and Florida had comparable numbers in that year – the next highest number was almost 300 fewer, in South Carolina. While laws about helmet use and other safety measures may affect fatality numbers, issues such as visibility or speed do not have such easy fixes as others.
The causes of such accidents are varied as well. Alcohol and speed are common in basically all locales, but sometimes causes do differ. In Austin, for example, many accidents involving motorcycles occur when merging or leaving the freeway, because of the position of ramps and the relatively narrow lanes. Lane-splitting is not legal in Texas, so sometimes cars will not see motorcycles as they try to get over. In a less urban locale, more motorcycle accidents will likely occur on, for example, roads with poor visibility and no street lamps.
Potential Problems
If you are injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to bring suit for compensation. However, while things have improved in recent years, one important thing to keep in mind when bringing a motorcycle accident case to court is that some jurors do harbor bias against motorcyclists for a variety of reasons. Many riders are seen as risk-takers or somehow labeled as reckless, even when there is no evidence to support this at the scene of an accident.
This can be an issue with juries and judges, but it can also be problematic with police, and this can cause very real problems. Police who are biased may turn in biased reports, which can deprive you of important evidence that helps absolve you of fault. It is still possible to prevail in a motorcycle-related negligence case, but it is important to keep in mind that bias may affect your case in a way that would not occur with many other types.
Ask Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
As of this writing, there has been no change in the condition of the injured motorcyclist in South Austin, But if you are injured in an accident on your motorcycle, contacting an attorney is a good first step toward obtaining compensation for your injuries. Our dedicated New Braunfels accident lawyers at the Bettersworth Law Firm can work with you to try and get the best possible outcome for you and yours. Contact our office today to set up an appointment.
Sources:
https://patch.com/texas/southaustin/motorcyclist-critically-injured-south-austin-traffic-collision
https://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2016-12/motorcycles_2015.pdf
https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_statistics/2015/01.pdf
