Anderson Law Firm

Texas Motorcycle Fatalities Are On The Decrease

 Everyone wants the best gas mileage possible, so it makes sense that motorcycle registrations have increased 13 percent. It also seems like I hear of a motorcycle accident or fatality daily. Surprisingly, over the past year there has been a significant decrease in motorcycle deaths.  Last year in Texas, the rate of motorcycle deaths decreased 18 percent which was 426 fatalities.

The reasons fatalities have dropped is because there have been many outreach efforts on motorist awareness. Any effort that emphasizes awareness has potential to do some real good. New laws and licensing requirements result in better training for motorcyclists and motorists. The Legislature approved a measure in 2009 to create a motorcyclist safety campaign, aimed in part at reminding other drivers to be aware of bikers. The law creates an offense for an accident that results from failure of a vehicle to yield to right of way to another vehicle and requires the Texas Education Agency to provide motorcycle information in the driver education and driving safety courses.

I am an advocate for motorcyclists and I am glad the number of fatalities is decreasing in Texas. However, there were still 426 deaths that maybe could have been avoided. If you get into a motorcycle accident, chances are that you will suffer a catastrophic injury, because we are not surrounded by sheet metal like in a car. If you suffer a catastrophic injury in an accident that is not your fault, you could be entitled to substantial money. In order to get substantial money, you need to have substantial insurance. Many, if not most, people who may hit you on the road on your motorcycle, either have minimum insurance or no insurance. It is important to carry uninsured motorist protection on your bike. If you don’t have it, call your agent and check prices. If you can afford it, I suggest that you get it.

Information and commentary is provided by Dallas/Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Attorney Mark Anderson. The Anderson Law Firm can be reached in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000. If you have questions about a motorcycle accident, please fill out our contact form online for a free consultation.