Texas Motorcycle Safety Courses
Texas tends to face a high number of motorcycle accidents. The state has over 380,000 registered motorcycles. With that number of registrations comes a higher risk for motorcycle accidents.
In its 2021 traffic crash report, Texas noted 8,261 motorcycle accidents. These accidents killed 521 motorcyclists and injured 7,721 riders. According to past reports from the federal government, as many as 42% of those injured or killed may not have taken the motorcycle safety course required to get a Texas motorcycle license.
Read on to learn about Texas motorcycle safety courses and how they can reduce your risk of an accident. And if you’ve recently been involved in a motorcycle accident, our attorneys can help you obtain compensation from the responsible party. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to go over your case. Call Stephens Law at (817) 420-7000 today.
Table of Contents
How Stephens Law Can Help After a Motorcycle Collision in Fort Worth, TX
Stephens Law has over two decades of experience handling accident cases. Since its founding, the firm has helped thousands of clients to recover tens of millions of dollars in injury compensation.
If you hire our Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyers to represent you after a wreck, you can expect us to:
- Help you investigate the cause of your motorcycle accident and who is liable for your damages
- Handle your claims from start to finish while you focus on recovering
- Consult leading experts as we build and value your motorcycle accident claim
- Keep you updated and ensure that you understand your legal options
- Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, and take your case to court if the opposing parties refuse to settle in good faith
Contact Stephens Law to discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you can seek for the injuries you suffered.
How Often Do Inexperienced Riders Cause Motorcycle Accidents?
Texas does not release crash statistics describing the licensing status of motorcycle crash victims. But it does release crash statistics about the age of motorcyclists involved in motorcycle crashes.
In the 2021 crash report, 18.2% of motorcycle riders killed in crashes were 25 years old or younger. Even worse, 20.1% of motorcycle operators who suffered a serious injury were 25 years old or younger.
Across all age groups, 25-year-olds were the most likely to suffer a fatal or serious injury in a motorcycle crash, according to the 2021 crash report.
Not all of these young riders lacked motorcycle training. But many of them lacked experience, which is one of the goals of Texas motorcycle safety courses.
Overview of Texas Motorcycle Safety Courses
Motorcycles require balance and skill to operate. If you lose your balance while riding a motorcycle, your bike may tip over and go into a slide.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles provide little protection for a rider in a crash. As a result, motorcyclists can suffer serious injuries in motorcycle accidents.
The most common body parts injured in a motorcycle crash are upper and lower limb injuries, such as broken bones, burns, and road rash. These injuries often happen when the motorcyclist’s body hits or slides across the pavement.
Brain injuries are also common, even when you wear a helmet. Head injuries happen when you hit your head on a solid object like the pavement or another vehicle.
Who is Liable For a Texas Motorcycle Accident?
If a driver’s actions cause a motorcycle accident, that driver bears liability for the resulting damages. Even if you are an inexperienced rider, drivers around you should not make unreasonably risky maneuvers. But insurers may question whether you could have avoided the accident if you had more training.
Texas Motorcycle Rider Requirements
Texas requires all applicants for a motorcycle license to complete a motorcycle safety course. New applicants must take a course in Texas and submit the certificate of completion with the application.
Those who hold a motorcycle license from another state do not need to retake the motorcycle safety course. But because many states require the same course, these license-holders would have previously completed the training.
Texas motorcycle safety courses must satisfy the U.S. Department of Transportation standards for an entry-level safety course. The largest developer of compliant courses is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
A course developed by the MSF includes 15-16 hours of instruction. This time includes:
Five Hours of Classroom Instruction
The classroom portion of the course covers:
- Inspecting the motorcycle
- Wearing appropriate safety equipment
- Starting and stopping safely
- Controlling the motorcycle
- Avoiding hazards and dangerous situations
Safety courses also cover some strategies for driving, including tips for remaining visible to motorists and driving defensively. For example, many motorists fail to watch for motorcycles in the surrounding lanes. Riding safely could therefore include staying out of blind spots.
Ten Hours of Hands-On Instruction
Hands-on instruction takes up the majority of the course. This portion of the course takes place on motorcycles. Some course operators allow you to bring your own motorcycle. Others supply you with a bike to ride.
You must also come dressed to ride. You must wear gloves, long pants, boots, and a helmet during the hands-on portion of the course.
During this section of the course, you will learn how to maneuver the vehicle under normal road conditions. Operating a motorcycle requires different skills than driving a car. You must maintain your balance while using your hands to accelerate and brake and using your foot to shift gears.
You will also learn how to handle emergency maneuvers. Motorcycles handle certain road conditions differently than cars. Sharp turns and hard braking can tip your motorcycle over or throw you off the bike. Hands-on training can prepare you to drive confidently and cautiously.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Attorneys After a Wreck
Even when motorcyclists have proper training, collisions will still happen. Contact Stephens Law for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident and the injuries you suffered.
