7 Facts About Motorcycle Accidents in Houston

Named after former General Sam Houston and covering an area of 640 square miles, Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the US and the most populous city in Texas. Accidents are a common occurrence, considering its vast expanse and large population.

Although most citizens follow the law and stick to safe driving habits, there are a few who do the opposite. Like every other city in the US, Houston is prone to accidents as well.

There are a decent number of motorcyclists in Houston. And motorcyclists are more susceptible to accidents than cars. When motorcyclists are involved in accidents, the damage is usually severe. This is why one should always seek compensation for their losses. The sum recovered will help the victim compensate for the injuries and losses they have suffered. Motorcycle accident claims in Houston require the intervention of experienced lawyers since the legal process is quite complex.

Here are 7 facts related to motorcycle accidents in the US. These facts are published for you to gain awareness of how many accidents are occurring in Houston. Hopefully, these numbers encourage you to drive responsibly and follow traffic laws.

Fact 1: Drinking and driving is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a habit that has deadly consequences. Drunk drivers put themselves and every other person on the road in danger when they operate a vehicle while intoxicated. The small size of the motorcycle increases the probability of the rider being thrown off the vehicle.

Fact 2: In 2021, Houston had 733 motorcycle accidents.

Although the number appears small, the fact that Houston witnessed roughly 8% of the total accidents in Texas is a cause for concern.

Fact 3: Most common injuries were to the lower limbs, upper limbs, and head.

Motorcycle accidents have the ability to cause devastating injuries and, in some cases, even death. As for Houston motorcycle accidents, the victims mostly suffered injuries in the lower limbs, upper limbs, and head.

Fact 4: Human error is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle accidents may happen for a number of reasons, like drunk drivers, inclement weather, poor road conditions, and more. But in Houston, human error was responsible for most motorcycle accidents. Causes like DUI, overspeeding, not following traffic signs, jumping traffic lights, and reckless driving, all fall under human errors.

Fact 5: Lane changes contributed to 70 motorcycle crashes.

Lane changes can also be taken as a form of unsafe driving. When switching lanes, motorists need to look out for other vehicles. Motorcycles involved in lane change accidents suffer disastrous results. This is because when a motorcycle bumps into another vehicle, there are chances of the motorcyclist being thrown off the vehicle and run over.

Fact 6: Speeding was the reason for 130 motorcycle crashes in 2021.

Speeding greatly increases the probability of a motorcycle being involved in an accident. A speeding motorcyclist’s reaction time is considerably less, leading to higher odds of bumping into emergencies on the road, like animals jumping in the path, swerving vehicles, and other similar occurrences.

Fact 7: Only 12 crashes were due to distracted driving.

Unlike car or truck drivers, the number of accidents due to distracted driving is surprisingly low. This is because riding a motorcycle requires a lot more concentration than driving a car. However, the fact that there were only 12 reported crashes due to distracted driving is a positive thing.

Houston has its share of accidents, particularly motorcycle accidents. Just like every other accident, following the safety guidelines and traffic laws and respecting the right of way of other motorists will go a long way in preventing accidents.

However, if someone else’s negligence or malicious intention led to an accident that caused your injuries, you must seek help. Consult a motorcycle accident attorney in your area to find out how to recover compensation that justifies the damages and losses you have suffered.