Being in a collision while riding a motorcycle can cause serious injuries. When you ride your motorbike, even if you’re wearing the proper clothing and a helmet, you’re still more exposed than if you were riding in a car. In the event of a crash, another vehicle will directly collide with your body. If the impact throws you from your motorcycle, the force of you hitting the ground can cause you even more injuries.
When you were paying attention and riding safely, the wreck wasn’t your fault. Our Amarillo, TX motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for the damages that you suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence. You shouldn’t be responsible for the costs of your injuries and other related bills when you weren’t the one at fault.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Texas
Texas is a great state for motorcyclists. Its wide open spaces and generally warm climate allow riders to use their bikes almost year-round. While this is enjoyable and lets you get more use out of your motorcycle, it also opens a larger window for you to get injured on your motorbike because you’re riding it more.
In 2020, there were many injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents in Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation released a report detailing the specific amounts of injuries and fatalities that were recorded that year from crashes involving motorcycles. Those statistics are:
- 482 fatalities
- 1,856 suspected serious injuries
- 2,687 non-incapacitating injuries
- 1,704 possible injuries
- 1,222 non-injuries
In many other statistics, like car accidents, the non-injuries are usually much higher compared to the number of injuries and fatalities. However in the motorcycle accident statistics, you can see that the values are much closer, and that non-injuries are much less frequent than injuries. This is likely because motorcyclists are much more likely to be injured in a crash than those inside a regular vehicle.
These numbers show that it isn’t rare for motorcyclists and their passengers to get seriously injured or pass away from collisions with other vehicles. That’s why safety is essential—it helps prevent wrecks as much as possible and gives you the best chance at not getting seriously injured.
When a crash has already happened, though, and it wasn’t your fault, our Amarillo, TX motorcycle accident attorney is prepared to work for you in getting you justice. We’ll represent you and ensure that the other party is held responsible for all the unnecessary harm they’ve caused you.
Safety Laws for Motorcyclists in Amarillo, TX
When riding your motorcycle, you’ll want to take all the possible safety precautions to avoid getting into a collision. Unfortunately, even if you do everything you’re supposed to and follow the laws, you can still get into an accident because of someone else’s mistake. Regardless, it’s important to follow motorcycle safety laws so that if you do get into a collision, you can be sure that you don’t share the fault because you were following the rules.
Here are some of the most important Texas motorcycle laws and regulations that you need to follow while riding, according to the 2020-2021 Motorcycle Operator Training Manual released by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation:
- You must wear a helmet if you are under 21 years old and haven’t completed an approved safety course.
- You must wear goggles or a face shield that is shatterproof and protects your eyes from the wind.
- Your motorcycle must have all necessary parts, including a tail lamp, stop lamp, head lamp, and rear reflector.
- You must have a valid motorcycle license.
- You must have proof of liability insurance.
- You cannot lane split, or weave through stopped traffic.
- You should wear quality riding clothes, like gloves, jackets, long pants, and boots.
Riding a motorcycle looks easy, but it’s not. Riders need to have coordination and stay balanced while they’re on their bikes, which means that they’re paying so much attention to riding that it can be harder to also drive defensively around other vehicles.
But it’s essential that they drive defensively because their small size compared to regular cars makes them harder to see, and therefore more susceptible to accidents. No matter how experienced or prepared you are as a rider, you still might fall victim to a crash caused by a negligent driver.
Even though Amarillo is flat, a driver still might not be able to see you and collide with you. Our Amarillo, TX motorcycle accident lawyer is here to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries and damages that their negligence caused.
Common Injuries from a Motorcycle Wreck
Knowing the different injuries that typically happen from a collision between a motorcycle and a regular vehicle can help you know what you can recover in your motorcycle accident claim. Here are some of the injuries that you might have incurred in your crash:
- Bruises
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Cuts
- Burns
- Road Rash
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Amputations
- Paralysis
It’s important to seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. This way, you can get evaluated and treated right away so that you have your best chance at healing. It also provides documentation for a claim later that proves you were injured in the crash and everything treatment will entail, or how the harm will affect the rest of your life.
When you have our Amarillo, TX motorcycle accident attorney on your side, you can rest assured that we’ll calculate what you deserve to recover in compensation. We’ll make sure that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm Has Your Back
You don’t have to go through the claim process alone. At Buckingham Barrera Vega law Firm, we understand that the time after a motorcycle wreck is spent recovering and likely feeling vulnerable. That’s why our Amarillo, TX motorcycle accident lawyer is prepared to handle your claim for you so that you can focus on your physical and emotional healing.
We will support you every step of the way so that you have peace of mind. Reach out to our office today so we can schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential case.
