Texas Accident & Injury News
Motorcycle fatalities on the rise in Texas
(July 28, 2022) A seventy-year-old man is dead following a two-vehicle collision on the Far West Side of San Antonio on Wednesday, June 27, 2022, a little before 2:30 p.m. The seventy-year-old man, whose identity has not yet been released to the public, was driving his motorcycle east on Highway 151 near the Loop 1604 intersection when the collision happened, according to the Nationwide Report. Another driver, a twenty-four-year-old man, was driving westbound on Loop 1604 and made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist, despite the cyclists having a green light. The other driver waited at the scene of the accident until EMS arrived, but the man tragically succumbed to his wounds at the scene. All eastbound lanes were shut down until past 4:30 p.m. as the officers cleared the scene. No criminal charges are pending at this time, as officials reported this as an accident.
Did you know?
The State of Texas saw a spike in motorcycle accidents in 2020, with 1,856 cyclists injured and 482 killed in just one year. This increased further for the year 2021, with 2,318 injured and 519 dead.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen in Texas?
The rolling hill country of San Antonio offers a very appealing backdrop for a motorcycle ride. However, the high speed limits of Texas freeways combined with the limited visibility of a motorcycle can be a recipe for serious injury – or a terrible tragedy. It is not surprising that Texas ranks in the top three for motorcycle fatality rates nationwide. Interestingly, statistics showed that sixty-one percent of fatalities involving motorcycles in 2019 occurred at intersections, leading safety experts to believe that deadly accidents occur when automobile drivers make left-hand turns in front of a motorbike. As in the above scenario, it is easy for a motorist to misjudge the distance between them and the motorcycle, as well as to misjudge the speed at which the motorcycle is traveling, resulting in an unfortunate collision.
How can we reduce these numbers?
In 2019, the Texas Department of Transportation launched its Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles Campaign in an effort to educate the citizens of Texas on motorcycle safety. For shareable content, video content, and additional resources, please visit the TxDOT website. Here are three tips they recommend to improve Texas motorcycle safety.
- Take care when making a left turn at an intersection – It’s better to let the motorcycle pass when possible rather than turning in front of them.
- Look twice when changing lanes – use your turn signal, check your mirrors and your blind spots. You could save a motorcyclist’s life.
- Give extra following distance – there are no brake lights to indicate that a motorcycle is slowing down when they shift to a lower gear. Play it safe and give enough time to slow down if you need to.
Have you or someone you love been injured or tragically lost their lives in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio or the surrounding area?
The law office of Carabin Shaw has been representing the victims of motorcycle accidents in San Antonio for thirty years. We have the experience and access to numerous resources needed to assist you in your personal injury claim or wrongful death suit. Contact us today at 800-862-1260 to receive your free consultation.