Campaign aims to prevent collisions between cars and motorcycles

On Behalf of | Sep 14, 2020 | Car accidents

Dallas was named one of the most dangerous places in Texas for motorcycle accidents. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), 14 motorcyclists died, and 103 were seriously injured in the 344 accidents involving motorcyclists in Dallas in 2019. Across the whole of the state, there were 412 riders killed and 1800 seriously injured.

As a car driver, you need to do all you can to avoid a collision with a motorcycle. While those riding the bike usually come off worse, you could also be seriously injured. Any crash is likely to end in a complicated lawsuit.

The TxDOT has released a new campaign to reduce the number of crashes drivers have with motorcyclists. The campaign slogan is “Look Twice for Motorcycles- there’s a life riding on it.” It highlights seven actions drivers can take to reduce the risk of killing or causing a catastrophic injury to a motorcyclist:

  • Take extra care when turning left: It can be hard to judge an oncoming bike’s speed.
  • Watch out at intersections: 30% of motorcycle accidents in 2019 happened at intersections.
  • Stay focused and avoid distractions: Motorcycles are not easy to see. It is even harder to spot them if you are not concentrating on the road.
  • Look twice before maneuvring: The double-check effectively doubles the chance you will see a motorcyclist.
  • Give space when passing a motorcyclist: Move to the next lane if overtaking. Even though motorcycles are narrower than cars, they require the same road space.
  • Maintain a safe distance: Motorcyclists often use their gears to slow down, which does not activate their brake light.
  • Slow down: The faster you are going, the more severe any accident will be. That is why there are speed limits in place. 

Seek legal help if involved in a crash with a motorcycle. Whatever the reason for the collision, you will need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.