TxDOT launches campaign to help prevent motorcycle accidents
There are more than 343,000 registered motorcycles in the state of Texas. They’re a common sight on the roads of San Antonio and cities and towns. But motorcycle accidents happen every day, leaving people seriously injured or killed. A statewide campaign is urging drivers to play an active role in changing that.
“Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” is a campaign from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) aimed at alerting drivers about the risks motorcyclists face and making them aware of things they can do to help protect them.
In 2022, 562 motorcyclists were killed and 2,422 seriously injured on Texas roads. More than half of the fatal accidents involved a collision with another vehicle.
‘Look twice for motorcycles’
Why do these accidents happen? Many times, it’s because drivers don’t even see the motorcycle. Or they misjudge the motorcycle’s distance or speed – the small size of bikes can make it seem as if they are farther away. Congested roads, distracted driving, and the difficulty of spotting motorcycles also play a role in fatal crashes.
But there’s a lot that drivers can do to prevent motorcycle accidents. For example, they can:
- Be extra careful when making a left turn, and let motorcyclists pass through first.
- Look for motorcycles at intersections, where almost one in three motorcycle fatalities occur.
- Give driving their full attention and avoid distractions (such as using a phone or adjusting dashboard controls)
- Look twice for oncoming motorcycles before changing lanes
- Give motorcycles plenty of room when passing
- Keep a safe distance behind motorcycles
- Follow posted speed limits and adjust speed to match road and weather conditions
An accident can be devastating for motorcyclists and their families. When a victim suffers fatal injuries, loved ones are left to mourn and have to deal with funeral expenses and other expenses. Victims who survive may need extensive medical treatment and suffer a loss of income if they are unable to work.
Contact a San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney
That’s why it’s important to get trusted legal advice as soon as possible if you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident.
Recovering financial compensation should be simple after a crash. A driver was speeding, distracted, or operating recklessly and crashed into the motorcycle. But negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. They may even try to blame you for causing the crash.
Insurance companies use many different tactics to pay as little as possible in compensation. For example, adjusters may dispute the extent of your injuries. Or they’ll seek access to your medical records to argue that your injuries were pre-existing. They’ll often offer a settlement that falls far short of covering all of your damages.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at the Herrera Law Firm are familiar with all of these tactics and can help you fight back. We can investigate your accident to get the facts and fight the insurance companies to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a San Antonio motorcycle accident, learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
