Motorcycles are exciting two-wheeled vehicles that are fun to operate. However, they are often prone to accidents. When a bike crash happens, the riders usually suffer severe injuries or even death. This article will discuss some fatal motorcycle accident statistics for the state of Texas.
Motorcycle accidents can be extremely dangerous, especially if there is another vehicle like a large truck. When other parties are involved, it is crucial to examine the evidence and determine who the at-fault party is. If you suffer injuries from a motorcycle accident, you deserve compensation from the negligent party. Reach out to a Houston motorcycle crash lawyer to evaluate your case.
The Lone Star State is among the top states with the highest motorcycle registrations in the United States. More motorists on the road usually translate to more accidents and injuries.
Over 2,300 Texan motorcyclists suffered serious injuries in 2021. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that 519 motorcycle riders died in motor vehicle accidents in the same year. Statistically, at least one motorcycle rider dies daily on Texas roadways.
Read on to explore some key data on fatal motorcycle accident statistics in Texas.
Are Motorcycle Accidents Common in Texas?
Texas ranks among the top states with the highest number of fatal motorcycle crashes. Between 2010 and 2017, there were over 68,000 crashes involving motorcyclists in the state. Approximately 5% of motorcycle accidents in Texas were fatal in 2018, with more than half of the fatalities wearing helmets.
Although solo crashes aren’t very dangerous, bikers face constant threats from other drivers. Most fatal bike accidents are because of riding under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Texas
Here are some of the vital statistics about motorbike accidents in Texas.
Injuries According to Age
The average age for riders involved in crashes in Texas is 39, while the average age of riders is 35. Most Texan bike accident victims do not wear helmets.
Which Days Are Most People Injured from Bike Crashes?
65% of motorcycle accidents occur on weekdays, whereas just 35% occur on weekends, according to the results.
However, the number of incidents that result in no injuries or in injuries that are not life-threatening is greater on weekdays. During the day, 74% of collisions resulted in minor or no injuries.
Motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in fatal and serious injury incidents at night than during the day. Approximately 30% of nighttime collisions result in fatalities or severe injuries.
Top Locations for Motorcycle Crashes in Texas
Motorcycle fatalities are more common in rural locations than in metropolitan areas. About 8% of fatal motorcycle collisions and 28% of severe injuries occurred on rural roads in Texas between 2010 and 2017. Only 4% of motorcycle accidents in metropolitan areas resulted in death, although 19% of those were severe.
East Texas has a significant number of motorcycle accidents. Of the bike crashes recorded in 2021, 125 were from the Atlanta District. Eleven of these were fatal crashes, while 37 motorists suffered serious injuries.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, motorcycle crash injuries are more severe than those sustained in automobile crashes.
Intoxication-Involved Motorcycle Accidents
Between 2010 and 2017, about 5,438 motorcycle accidents involving impaired drivers, including both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle collisions. In Texas, 37 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities occurred when the motorist rode under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Do Bike Crash Victims Wear Motorcycle Helmets?
Most head and brain injuries can be prevented by wearing a helmet. Motorcycle riders who do not wear helmets usually have to deal with unnecessary economic expenses. Thousands of lives get spared in motorcycle accidents each year because of the widespread usage of helmets.
According to Texas motorcycle accident data, bike accidents are common in the Lone Star State. Those who ride motorcycles are more likely to die in these collisions than those who drive passenger cars. You should always be alert to your surroundings when riding a motorcycle, and never drink and drive.
Top Risks for Texas Motorcyclists
As a Houston motorcycle crash lawyer will tell you, motorcycle riders face more hazards than those who drive other vehicles. Consequently, riders need to know the hazards and remedies available in the event of an accident.
Adverse Weather
Avoid riding in bad weather if possible. Rain affects the driver’s sight and decreases the tires’ grip on the road surface. On windy days, consider the potential for a side-to-side push and stay alert.
Road Hazards
Most hazards that might be minor diversions for a car are a serious threat to a motorbike. Severe motorcycle accidents may occur because of encountering these dangers on the road.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Bike accidents place riders and passengers at great risk because of the lack of coverage and protection. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bike accident victims are 28 times more likely to die in crashes than car passengers are. The most common motorcycle crash injuries involve damage to lower limbs.
Specific injuries caused by motorbike accidents include:
- Broken or amputated limbs
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries
- Facial disfigurement
In the worst cases, accidents lead to fatalities. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, you can reach out to a Houston motorcycle crash lawyer for legal advice on filing a wrongful death claim.
Various factors can affect the severity of injuries, like the size of the motorbike and speed. Some victims recover fully from injuries, while others need rehabilitation months after a crash. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, here are the typical types of injuries you may suffer:
Upper Extremity Injuries
Most motorcycle accidents result in motorcyclists being thrown from their vehicles. People typically brace themselves for a fall with their arms.
This means motorcycle riders tend to incur shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears after a hard landing. It is common for people to get injuries to their arms, elbows, and fingers. Injured motorcyclists may suffer long-term nerve damage to their upper bodies.
Lower Extremity Injuries
Because of the rider’s exposed legs, many motorcycle accident victims suffer damage to their lower limbs. The heavy motorbike can fall on top of a rider and injure the lower half of the body in an accident.
Other than the legs, the knees, calves, ankles, and feet are all susceptible regions of the body. While most of these injuries do not result in death, they can be excruciatingly painful and leave the victim permanently handicapped. Riders injured on the road may be left with a limp or other long-term disability.
Besides abrasions and cuts, road rash is also common on the lower body of a biker. The rough surface of the road frequently scrapes riders’ legs and other portions of their body as they must swerve to escape oncoming traffic or road debris.
The degree of a rider’s injuries may be affected by the rider’s clothes and the motorcycle’s speed. It’s possible to have serious, burn-like abrasions from road rash even at modest speeds, necessitating skin grafting. An infection, nerve damage, or permanent scarring may arise from road rash injuries.
Protective gear such as motorcycle gloves and body armor can help protect the wearer from injury.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are among the most dangerous. Mild to severe head injuries can leave victims with long-term physical, mental, and emotional impairments. Such injuries from motorbike traffic accidents are often fatal.
Skull fractures and other types of head trauma are possible outcomes for motorcyclists ejected from their vehicles. Fractures of the skull can cause permanent brain damage. Disorientation, memory loss, sadness, anxiety, and loss of coordination and motor abilities are all possible side effects for injured riders.
Most of these accidents result in long-term disabilities for the biker. When a person has a head injury, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, seizures as well as dilation of the pupils. One or more warning symptoms should prompt an accident victim to seek emergency medical assistance.
Spinal Injuries
Injuries to the spine can be catastrophic, causing paralysis or quadriplegia. Some spinal injuries may cause issues with respiration, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Such injuries typically need lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Speak With a Houston Motorcycle Crash Lawyer
If you or a loved one is the victim of a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you may qualify for compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. If the accident caused the death of a loved one, consider filing a wrongful death claim.
Most motorcycle accidents are severe, and exhaust coverage offered by insurance companies. Some companies may even deny a claim. When this happens, seek legal representation from a Houston motorcycle crash lawyer.
Contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the crash may help strengthen your case. An attorney will ensure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations deadlines, and they will also help gather evidence for your case. If insurance adjusters offer a lowball compensation or deny your claim, your Houston motorcycle crash lawyer will help with the negotiations.
Get in touch today to see if our legal team is able to assist with your injury claim.