Houston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

With the cost of gas skyrocketing we can likely expect to see more motorcyclists on the road than ever before. Motorcycles are a fast and efficient way to get around - however, the riders and other motorists should be aware of some of the more common safety tips that can make the experience better for everyone on the road and avoid a motorcycle accident.

So consider the following hints before setting out on the open road.

*MOTORcyclists should always do a thorough lane check before moving from one lane to another.

*MOTORcyclists should always slow down when taking a corner on a city street or highway. It is very easy to lose control of the motorcycle if you take the corner too fast.

*MOTORcyclists should avoid slamming on their brakes. This, too, is a maneuver than tends to destabilize the bike and cause the driver to lose control.

*MOTORcyclists should drive with greater caution on unstable surfaces such as gravel and dirt. It is harder for a bike to maintain traction on these types of roadways and easier to end up in an accident.

*MOTORcyclists should watch for potholes or other road obstructions. These are much more dangerous to a cyclist than a car or truck driver.

*MOTORcyclists should wear protective gear. This includes helmets, gloves, boots and long pants. In an accident this will lessen the extent and types of possible injuries one might otherwise sustain.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Safety" »

Sometimes the activities that seem to offer the greatest amount of amusement are also the deadliest. Just like their 'big brother' - the motorcycle - mopeds (or minibikes) are alluring for the sense of freedom and thrills they offer. What could be more fun than racing over bike trails at seemingly innocent speeds of up to forty miles an hour?

But drivers seem to forget that just like a motorcycle there is no physical protection for a person in the case of a collision except perhaps a helmet (if one is worn).

Now, the number of moped deaths is extremely small - according to one source having doubled from a mere fifty to a high of one hundred over the past four years - in comparison to the total account of traffic fatalities in general (normally the number languishes around 40,000).

Yet moped injuries and deaths have caught the attention of Washington D.C. and as the new Congress gets underway - legislation is moving forward in various committees concerning a number of aspects of moped riding - beginning with the required use of a helmet for riders under the age of 18 or 21 (depending on the state).

In addition, the fact that mopeds can be driven on public roadways in many states yet does not always require the acquisition of a driver's license has also evoked pending legislation.

Finally, in some states there are no drinking and driving statutes related to mopeds - a loophole that is expected to close over the next year.

Continue reading "Moped Fatalities" »

A study by NHTSA regarding motorcycle accidents provided the following insight into injury causation and preventability of motorcycle crashes.

The single largest factor in motorcycle accidents is that the automobile driver fails to detect or see the motorcycle in traffic. The lack of awareness that a motorcycle driver is even there combined with a lack of caution and awareness by the automobile driver is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents.

Without a doubt, injury severity goes up radically with increased speed. The higher the speed at which a motorcycle crashes the much greater potential for serious injury or wrongful death.

The lack of helmets accounts for the most severe injuries that are preventable. In Texas we have no mandatory helmet use by motorcycle riders.

The motorcycle safety training appears to provide effective ways to reduce the number of severe motorcycle accidents. The more training a motorcycle rider has the less likely he or she will be involved in an accident. The use of a helmet would further reduce the severe head injuries associated with many motorcycle accidents.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accidents - A NHTSA Study" »

Nothing beckons the open road like a motorcycle. In a recent driving vacation, with family in tow, I reminisced about the freedom of hopping on a hog and taking off - wind blowing by you. But motorcycles may very well be the most dangerous vehicle on the road. Here is why.

As recently as 2006 approximately 4, 935 people were killed in all types of accidents.
Approximately three-fourths of these motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile.

2. Approximately one-fourth of these motorcycle accidents were single vehicle accidents involving the motorcycle colliding with the roadway or some fixed object in the environment.

3. Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of these motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat.

4. In the single vehicle accidents, motorcycle rider error was present as the accident precipitating factor in about two-thirds of the cases, with the typical error being a slide out and falls due to over braking or running wide on a curve due to excess speed or under-cornering.

5. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents.

6. In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.

7. The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

Drive safely - no matter what type of vehicle you take onto the road.

Continue reading "Motorcycles are the Most Dangerous Vehicle on the Road" »

Motorcycle riders who are involved in an accident are more likely to experience catastrophic injuries than those in other types of wrecks because the rider lacks the added protection of safety devices such as seat belts as well as the weight of a car or truck to shield them.

In fact, statistics show that a motorcycle rider is 30 times more likely to die from an accident than any other type of vehicle driver. At the same time while deaths in all other types of vehicle wrecks have shown a slight decline - those of motorcycle riders have increased slightly each year.

Automobile manufacturers pour millions of dollars each year into designing safety features for their products. The question is - are there any safety devices on motorcycles?

Unfortunately the short answer to this is not many. Three fourths of motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle and 2/3rds of these are the result of motorists - not motorcycle driver - error.

When a motorcycle is hit the rider is usually thrown from the cycle. The likelihood that a 'seat belt' would minimize injuries and fatalities is a fallacy because the rider would simply slide with the bike and suffer other equally hazardous injuries.

The motorcyclist has at his or her disposal three of the most effective safety devices that have been designed to date for choppers - the horn, headlight and helmet. THE first two help to remind vehicle drivers that a motorcycle is present and near them on the roadway - and to give the motorcycle its due right of way.

A helmet helps to minimize devastating injuries and fatalities by up to 50% in some accidents. Finally, there is specific outerwear designed for the motorcyclist to prevent major skin injuries in the case of an accident and this clothing has been determined on more than one occasion to be worth the investment.

Continue reading "Motor Cycle Riders Need Extra Protection" »

Over 5200 fatalities from motorcycle crashes across United States as recently as 2008. Of these fatal motorcycle accidents at least thirty percent-involved alcohol and a whopping 59% were NOT wearing helmets.

It is equally distressing to note that thirty five percent of fatal motorcycle accidents were speeding and younger motorcycle riders accounted for more deaths than those in the over forty category.

Finally, a disproportionate number of motorcycle fatalities occur with unlicensed motorcycle riders who did not have a motorcycle permit and, in addition, poor road conditions can affect a motorcycle rider's safety to a much greater extent than other vehicle drivers.

It should come as no surprise that these statistics mirror those of vehicle collisions with the exception of the lack of helmets and accidents caused my potholes in roads.

Drunk and distracted driving is the main culprits of vehicle and motorcycle collisions and requires continued conversations about preventive safety measures that have life saving potential.

Several of the most common defensive driving suggestions for motorcycle riders are:
First, wear a helmet. The majority of debilitating injuries and fatalities can be traced to head trauma as a result of motorcycle accidents.

Secondly, where as vehicle drivers have a tendency to drive distracted and cause accidents - the motorcycle rider has a greater potential of becoming a statistic of distracted driving.

Be vigilant of drivers around you who do not appear to be paying attention.
The automobile offers some physical safety to the car accident victim whereas the motorcycle driver has no restraints.

Continue reading "Over 5000 Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Each Year" »

According to published reports motorcycles with antilock brakes or much less likely to be involved in the fatality accident than those without that feature.

Given the popularity of motorcycles particularly in times of high gas prices motorcycle accident safety is critical.

Some thoughts on motorcycle safety:

Always wear a helmet; head injuries are responsible for most motorcycle crash fatalities.

Make sure you are competent to drive motorcycle- take appropriate classes and the comfortable and competent before you take the road.

Ride a motorcycle that fits your body. If you are a smaller person you do not need to be writing a speech during a heavy bike.

Wear protective clothing. Since you are not afforded the protections given an automobile driver, the type of clothing in particular you where it's critically important, get the best you can.

Assuming you cannot be seen and never leave in and out of traffic or change lanes without signaling or in heavy traffic.

Slowdown or do not drive in inclement weather.

Motorcycles particularly in cities are much more dangerous on the highways than an automobile. Motorcycle safety is critical for you and your loved ones.

Continue reading "Motorcycle safety tips" »