The Main Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks

Motorcycle accidents seem to happen every single day here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. From 1997 to 2008, national motorcycle fatalities increased by over 130% - from 2,294 to 5,290. That trend is continuing as more and more people purchase motorcycles. Registered motorcycle purchases have been growing at a rate of approximately 1 million per year, which translates to more bikes on the road – and more bikes in motorcycle wrecks.

What Causes Motorcycle Wrecks?
Motorcycle collisions have three main causes: speeding, alcohol and poor visibility. While you sometimes have no control over whether drivers of other vehicles see you, you can control how you ride to help reduce your chances of having a motorcycle accident.

Don't Drink and Drive
In Texas, 38% of biker fatalities occurred when the driver was above a .08 BAC, 46% were above a .01 BAC. Don’t drink and drive motorcycles. The majority of these accidents would never have happened if the riders weren’t driving under the influence. Choose not to be a part of this surprising statistic.

Be Smart
Speeding and rider error account for the majority of accidents on the road. Avoid speeding, take appropriate motorcycle riding classes and don’t ride beyond your skill level as you gain experience.

Visibility is Key

A Hurt study indicated that another big cause of motorcycle wrecks is poor driver visibility. There are many cases in which car, truck and large vehicle drivers say “I just didn’t see him!” Ultimately, you have to hope that the other drivers are paying attention, but here are you can do a few things to help increase your visibility:

Wear a light-colored, bright helmet with reflectors on the back – avoid dark and black helmets;
Wear light-colored motorcycle gear, or wear a reflective construction vest over your gear, so riders can see you more easily;
Make sure your lights are in good repair, and consider a motorcycle headlight modulator that complies with federal law;
Consider a lighted helmet, or installing additional motorcycle break lights, as permitted by state and federal law.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact the Anderson Law Firm for a FREE CONSULTATION today. Fill out our contact form online or call toll free at 877-294-1115.