Jason Stephens | May 23, 2022 | Motorcycle Accidents
On May 15th, 2022, a motorcycle rider was killed in an accident with a car in Fort Worth, TX. While the events leading up to the accident are unclear, the fact is that the rider’s life ended, and the passengers of the other vehicle were unharmed.
Every year there are thousands of similar accidents in the United States. Motorcycle riders die in accidents where car drivers would have survived. Unfortunately, motorcycles simply do not offer the protection that other vehicles provide during an accident, and this increases the likelihood of a fatality.
How Deadly Are Motorcycle Accidents?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycle riders are roughly 20 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers of a passenger car per mile traveled.
This doesn’t mean that more people die in motorcycle accidents than in car accidents. It just means that when a motorcycle accident happens, the chances of a fatality are much higher.
How Can Motorcycle Fatalities Be Prevented?
The best way to lower the likelihood of a fatality in a motorcycle accident is to wear a helmet properly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets can reduce the risk of a head injury by almost 70%, and saved nearly 2,000 lives in 2017. This means that helmets reduced deaths that year by approximately 30%.
But helmets aren’t the only way to mitigate fatalities. Motorcycle accident fatalities can be reduced by a mix of safety measures and circumstances.
Wearing Bright Colors
Motorcycles are much smaller than cars. This makes it more difficult for car drivers to notice motorcycles on the road. By wearing bright colors, you make it easier for car drivers to notice you, particularly if that clothing has reflectors. An accident avoided is the least dangerous type of accident.
Riding in Urban Areas
Urban areas are significantly safer for motorcycle riders than rural areas. In urban areas, medical attention is much closer and will arrive much faster if you are in an accident. The presence of immediate medical attention significantly increases the likelihood that you’ll survive a serious accident.
People also drive more slowly in urban areas. This matters a lot in motorcycle accidents. The slower the speed of all vehicles in a motorcycle accident, the less likely that there will be a fatality.
If you need to drive outside of urban areas, it is best to drive in a car, possibly towing your motorcycle for use where you are going. If you must ride your motorcycle, staying below the speed limit and riding in the slow lane will decrease your likelihood of getting into an accident.
Being Fully Aware of Your Surroundings
Trusting car drivers not to hit you is almost a sure-fire way to end up in an accident. When riding a motorcycle, you are much safer if you are always paying close attention to your surroundings. Give cars on the road plenty of room, and you are less likely to get into accidents.
Non-Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Can Ruin Your Life, Too
Just because an accident wasn’t fatal doesn’t mean it can’t ruin your life. Non-fatal accidents often result in lifelong injuries like paralysis, dismemberment, or serious scarring.
While all of the previous advice should help you avoid these injuries, there is one more thing you can do. Always wear all types of protective gear — like gloves, boots, and goggles — whenever you ride. This will make injuries from non-fatal accidents less serious.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Fort Worth, TX
If you’ve been harmed or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Fort Worth, Texas, contact our Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyers at Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents to schedule a free consultation and get legal help. We’ll examine the cause of your collision to determine who is at fault and who may be held financially liable for you or your family member’s motorcycle accident.
Stephens Law Personal Injury | Wrongful Death | Truck Accidents
1300 S University Dr # 300
Fort Worth, TX 76107
(817) 420-7000