While riding a motorcycle ignites the senses and presents a unique adventure for riders, they do involve a much higher risk of serious personal injuries and death as compared to a driver or passenger of an automobile. State sponsored safety classes help to educate motorcycle riders not only of the specific dangers that face them on the roadways, but also put into perspective the fact that other motorist do not readily notice a motorcycle as they would a regular passenger car. For instance, the Texas Department of Transportation recently launched a public education campaign about motorcycle safety.
“The campaign’s theme is: Look Twice for Motorcycles. Seeing Them is Saving Them. This theme was selected because so many motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers who simply failed to notice the motorcyclist. For example, about half of the fatal motorcycle crashes in Texas occur at intersections. In many cases, a motorist turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist and reports never seeing the motorcyclist before turning.” Read full article here: http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/154015833/dallas-motorcycle-wreck-lawyer-presents-facts-about-motorcycle-crashes
In 2011, 16% of all auto accident fatalities in Texas involved motorcyclists, and more than 5,000 motorcyclists were seriously injured. Of the motorcyclists killed in Texas in 2011, 46% were not wearing helmets.
These are sobering facts. Of course, the challenge for the Dallas, Texas personal injury attorney representing victims of a motorcycle accident is the general perception of motorcycle riders as risk-takers. Unless the other car is driving recklessly or was intoxicated, your lawyer should expect the jury to have a certain degree of sympathy for the defendant even though the jury may believe the defendant was negligent. Likewise, your lawyer should appreciate that a jury may tend to be a bit conservative in their damages award for the motorcycle rider. This sentiment can also lead to jurors evaluating the conduct of the motorcycle rider more harshly since the motorcycle rider should appreciate the dangers more than the average motorist. Therefore, jurors may tend to impose a higher degree of care or caution on the operator of a motorcycle than they would for the driver of an automobile.