Why Motorcycle Accidents at Texas Intersections Are On the Rise
Riding a motorcycle, even as a passenger, has long been shown to involve far more risk of injury than other modes of transportation, with the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration (FHTSA) reporting that motorcyclists and their passengers are approximately five times more likely to be injured in a motor vehicle accident than individuals traveling in an automobile or truck.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT) reported that, in 2023, one of every three fatal motorcycle accidents happened at an intersection, a 20% rise in just one year. Why are motorcyclists at such an increased risk when traveling through an intersection? What can you do as a biker to minimize the likelihood of an intersection accident?
Why Are Motorcyclists at Greater Risk of a Collision at an Intersection?
Experts say that intersections pose specific dangers to motorcyclists for a number of reasons:
- Intersections often have reduced visibility, as there tend to be more vehicles and those vehicles are moving in different directions. Because motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, they can easily become partially hidden behind other vehicles.
- Because vehicles are moving in different directions at intersections, motorists may have difficulty judging speed and distance.
- Intersections usually involve vehicles traveling in multiple directions, requiring greater skill in maneuvering.
What Factors Are Commonly Involved in a Motorcycle Intersection Accident?
Intersection accident are often caused the following circumstances:
- Right-of-way violations—Probably the most common cause of intersection accidents, this usually involves a motorist turning into the path of a motorcycle traveling straight through the light. It may also involve a motorist driving into the path of a motorcyclist with a green turn arrow.
- Excessive speed or failure to use due caution—Many car-motorcycle accidents are the result of someone driving too fast and either being unable to stop in time or misjudging the potential for impact.
- Distracted driving—The most common cause of all motor vehicle accidents, this may involve the use of a handheld device while driving, as well as attempts to groom, eat, or drink behind the wheel.
- Roadway defects—Compared to cars and trucks, motorcycles are more susceptible to control problems with potholes, cracked or broken pavement, or other poor road conditions.
What Can You Do As a Motorcyclist To Reduce the Risk of an Intersection Accident?
The best approach when traveling on a motorcycle is to drive defensively. This means assuming that other motorists are unlikely to be paying enough attention to see you. To combat this, you can:
- Take steps to improve your visibility, such as wearing bright clothing or reflective gear
- Drive with greater caution, based on the assumption that other motorists won’t take the necessary steps to be aware of your presence
- Give yourself more room on the road by increasing the distance between your bike and the vehicle in front of you, or by waiting to negotiate a turn when the way is unimpeded
Contact the Proven DFW Intersection Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen
At the law offices of Bailey & Galyen, we’ve spent four decades aggressively fighting for the rights of injured people in Texas, including bikers and their passengers who have been hurt in accidents at intersections anywhere in the DFW Metroplex.
Since we founded our practice, we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury clients. We know how to effectively investigate and litigate any type of motorcycle accident, including collisions at intersections. Contact us by email or call our offices at one of the convenient locations listed below. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.