This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The statistics surrounding motorcycle accidents are sobering. According to the US Department of Transportation, motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants — and three times more likely to be injured. More than half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve a collision with another vehicle in motion. The data is clear: protective gear, helmets, and defensive riding practices remain the most effective tools for reducing serious injury and death on the road.

Additional findings from the US DOT include:

• A disproportionate number of fatal motorcycle crashes occur after dark — roughly 60% of all fatalities happen at night.
• Nearly half of all motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were exceeding the speed limit at the time of impact.
• Approximately 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death.
• Motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had higher rates of alcohol intoxication than operators of any other type of vehicle.

It is important to understand that these figures represent broad trends across thousands of incidents. Your specific situation may look very different. Statistics can carry undue weight in legal and insurance proceedings, sometimes creating a prejudicial impression that does not reflect what actually happened in your case. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you contextualize this data, explain how it may be used by opposing parties, and build a strong argument on your behalf. Learn more on this page about motorcycle accident lawyers.

In a typical motorcycle accident, the front of the motorcycle strikes another moving vehicle — this accounts for nearly 75% of cases. However, more than a quarter of crashes involve a motorcycle colliding with a stationary object. Speeding and alcohol use significantly increase the risk of a crash for all road users, but motorcyclists face especially severe consequences. In fatal crashes, the number of motorcyclists who were speeding was double that of drivers in other vehicles.

Many accidents can be prevented through defensive riding, strict adherence to posted speed limits, and making yourself visible to other drivers — particularly in blind spots. A properly fitted helmet remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the severity of head and neck injuries if a crash does occur.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, stay calm. Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved, and review the police report as soon as it is available. Document everything you can about the scene — weather and road conditions, the number and types of vehicles involved, and a diagram of how the crash unfolded. This information can be critical when insurance companies and attorneys work to determine fault.

Motorcycle accident injuries are typically far more severe than those sustained in standard vehicle crashes. They can be permanently disabling — and in the worst cases, fatal. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, you deserve skilled legal representation from attorneys who understand the unique challenges these cases involve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call Carabin Shaw today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our law office is ready to help.