A Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyer can help you hold negligent drivers accountable
In Fort Worth, Dallas, and throughout Texas, the number of motorcycles on the road increases every year. Between 2002 and 2023, the number of registered motorcycles in Texas increased by 84%, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
But along with that increase comes a troubling trend – more motorcycle accidents, injuries, and fatalities. During the same period, motorcycle accident deaths in Texas increased by 142 percent from 247 deaths in 2002 to 599 fatalities in 2023, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How common are motorcycle wrecks caused by drivers who fail to look?
The short answer? Very common. First, let’s start by examining the frequency of motorcycle accidents nationwide. In 2023, a record-high 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in crashes across the country, the highest death toll in a single year since 1975, according to the NHTSA.
Many of those deaths involved crashes where another driver claims they didn’t see the motorcyclist. In fact, 35 percent of multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents involve drivers who violated a motorcyclist’s right-of-way, often because the driver didn’t see the motorcycle until it was too late.
TxDOT recognizes this as a serious problem, which is why it sponsors its “Share The Road” campaign to educate drivers about the importance of looking out for motorcyclists and giving riders sufficient room to ride safely.
What are common motorcycle crashes involving inattentive drivers?
When drivers don’t see motorcyclists, they can cause a wide range of collisions. Some of the most common and most dangerous situations where drivers fail to see a motorcycle and cause an accident include:
- Left-turn collisions – A driver turns left without looking and drives into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. These crashes are often serious and result in severe injuries or fatalities.
- Lane-change accidents – A driver merges into a lane without checking mirrors or blind spots, striking a motorcycle riding beside them. These types of collisions are often referred to as sideswipe accidents.
- Dooring accidents – A parked driver opens their door into the path of a passing motorcycle. More common in cities, these crashes often result in serious injuries to motorcyclists.
- Rear-end collisions – A driver follows too closely or doesn’t anticipate that a motorcyclist might slow down, resulting in a rear-end motorcycle crash.
- Distracted driving accidents – A driver texting, talking on a cellphone, or looking up directions on a GPS doesn’t see a motorcyclist, resulting in a serious distracted driving crash.
Why do drivers fail to see motorcycles?
Drivers who don’t see motorcyclists and cause collisions often do so for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Distraction – Cellphones, GPS devices, and even dashboard screens divert drivers’ attention from the road, causing them to miss seeing motorcyclists on the road.
- Left-turn bias – Drivers turning left often misjudge the speed of an oncoming motorcycle or fail to see riders altogether, resulting in a left-turn motorcycle crash.
- Blind spots: Many vehicles — especially large trucks and SUVs — have big blind zones that obscure motorcycles. It’s the driver’s responsibility to check those blind spots and avoid collisions.
Many reckless drivers cite these reasons and others as to why collisions occur and why they are not at fault. But that’s no excuse. Drivers can’t simply say they didn’t see a motorcyclist and get off the hook. If someone causes a motorcycle crash, they should be held responsible for their actions. And that includes paying for the victim's accident-related expenses.
Common motorcycle injuries
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, motorcycle injuries can cover a wide range, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Road rash and severe lacerations
- Broken bones and crushed limbs
- Emotional trauma and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Recovering from such serious injuries can take months, years, or sometimes never at all. During that time, medical bills and other accident-related expenses can add up fast to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even so, many riders are wrongly blamed for causing the collision, even when the evidence shows that another driver was reckless and clearly at fault.
What should riders do after a crash caused by a driver who didn’t look?
If you were hit while riding a motorcycle by a driver who “didn’t see you,” it’s important for you to take certain steps right away to protect yourself and your rights:
- Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. Even if you feel fine, it's a good idea to have a doctor examine you and diagnose exactly what’s wrong.
- Get a copy of the police report and review it for accuracy. Sometimes, accident reports – especially those involving motorcycle wrecks – contain errors or mistakes that could impact your motorcycle injury claim. Your attorney can help you set the record straight.
- Take photos of the accident scene, your bike, your gear, and any injuries you may have. Such evidence can be critical if there is doubt about what happened or who is at fault.
- Speak with witnesses who saw your accident. Get their full names and phone numbers. Witness statements can often make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say could later be used to reduce or deny your injury claim.
- Talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. Because once you accept an offer, that’s it. You often can’t ask for any more money. Ensure that your settlement offer covers all your accident-related expenses, both current and future.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can investigate what happened, gather evidence in support of your case, and fight to hold the driver accountable, especially if an insurance company tries to blame you for causing the collision.
Texas law protects injured riders
Under Texas law, if another driver’s negligence caused your motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to recover compensation for all your accident expenses, including money for:
- Current and future medical costs
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Can you be compensated if you were partially at fault?
Texas has a compensation system for collisions known as the “modified comparative fault rule.” Under this rule, you can recover damages (legal term for compensation for financial losses) if you were less than 51 percent responsible for causing your collision. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your share of the blame.
For example, if your accident expenses add up to $100,000 and you were found to be 40 percent at fault, your claim would be reduced by $40,000, and you would only receive $60,000, meaning you would have to pay for the rest of your accident out of your own pocket.
Hurt in a motorcycle crash? Take control. Contact us today.
When an inattentive driver causes your Texas motorcycle accident, you need someone on your side who’s focused on finding the facts. You need someone who understands how Texas’s legal system works. You need a legal team that will not rest until you get justice. You need Coby L. Wooten, Attorney At Law.
Our attorneys know how quickly a motorcycle crash can change your life — and how insurance companies often treat riders unfairly. We thoroughly investigate motorcycle wrecks, collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, and fight to ensure your story is heard loud and clear.
We’re proud of our case results, including $1.25 million obtained in a motor vehicle accident case.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Fort Worth motorcycle accident attorney you can trust. We handle motorcycle accident injury claims and lawsuits throughout the state of Texas.
“I would highly recommend Coby Wooten. He is a fantastic lawyer who is very responsive and trustworthy. Coby is intelligent, professional, and genuinely cares about you.” – Steve K., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐