Motorcycle Accidents

Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Whether it’s the loud, ground shaking sound, the crisp wind blowing through your hair, or just the feeling of being on the open road exposed to all the elements, many people from all walks of life are drawn to motorcycles. These great benefits do come with a pricey risk, exposure to a heightened chance of physical injury in the event of a crash. Without the protection of a frame and exterior vehicle body around them, motorcycle riders can become victims of severe injuries if involved in any type of crash. However, just because motorcycle riders are willing to take on the additional risk in order to experience something they enjoy, they should not lose any rights or protections that motor vehicle drivers enjoy. They should be treated the with same level of respect as anyone else on the road. The sad reality is that most motorcycle accidents are the result of vehicle driver inattention, lack of precaution, and even carelessness.

Stanley Injury Law will stand up for the rights of motorcycle riders and their passengers who have been severely injured in a motorcycle accident because of a vehicle operator’s lack of attention and overall reckless driving. If you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries from a motorcycle accident in Houston, you should contact a Personal Injury Attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Inattentional Blindness & Other Factors Contributing To Motorcycle Accidents

With the decreased size and overall low proximity to the ground, motorcycles often are claimed not to have been seen by vehicle operators following a crash. In reality, many times vehicle drivers are not looking for motorcycle riders. Meaning they are not expecting to see a motorcycle traveling near them or in an area where they are trying to maneuver their vehicle. A vehicle operator might look into the mirror or out the window quickly before changing lanes or making a turn with the expectation of seeing a car, already programming their mind before the action takes place. When the driver does peak at the mirror or look out the window, the normal shadow or object shape of a car does not appear, which causes the vehicle driver to proceed with his/her course of action. Even though a motorcycle might be traveling parallel or in the direction of the vehicle just a short distance away, the vehicle operator’s senses do not register the motorcycle driver. This exact scenario, a car or truck driver who turns left across the path of a motorcycle rider, contributes to an approximate 30% of all collisions involving motorcycles at intersections.

The term for the so-called phenomenon of not noticing the motorcycle despite it clearly being visible in such scenario, is referred to by researchers as “inattentional blindness.” The term inattentional blindness was first coined by Arien Mack and Irvin Rock to describe the results of their extensive studies of the visual perception of unexpected objects. Traditionally, inattentional blindness refers specifically to the failure to notice unexpected objects. Recent studies have demonstrated that the failure to notice objects that occur on many trials are due to attentional engagement on a primary task. In such cases, the critical objects are expected, but observers fail to report them because they are engaged in another task. So how does this apply to motorcycle accidents? Well, it has to do with the various distractions that exist in today’s world that almost everybody has at their fingertips. From cell phones, gps monitors, to eating, and even just telling a story to a fellow friend riding as a passenger in your car. The sole focus of paying attention to the road while driving has become less and less the norm. Instead, many drivers are engaged on activities taking place inside the car rather than the road and surrounding objects. Despite being behind the wheel, many people spend a large portion of the time driving with their head down looking at their cell phone. Only glancing up occasionally to make sure they are still in the lines or to view what’s coming ahead.

Science has shown that many times a person will claim they do not notice or see an object which they are even expecting, and that does in fact appear in front of them, due to the individual’s attention being primarily focused on another task. So, while talking or texting and driving, a vehicle driver might look to see if another car or motorcycle is coming before maneuvering their vehicle, and despite such being physically present, proceed anyway. This is because the presence of the motorcycle or car did not register with the vehicle operator due to his/her attention being primarily focused on a call or text. Leading to a serious accident, which only exacerbates the consequences if it is a motorcycle the driver failed to recognize.

Another alternative to the inattentional blindness account is that observers see the critical object in the display but do not process it extensively and consequently do not retain it. Studies of inattentional blindness demonstrate that people fail to notice unexpected objects in a display. Or, more precisely, that they fail to report having noticed an unexpected object. This plays a role when vehicle drivers claim the lack of ever seeing a motorcycle following an accident involving one. This alternative illustrates that it is possible the vehicle driver did see the motorcycle, but because the driver was not expecting to see it, the brief memory or flash of the motorcycle is no longer part of his recognition by the time the crash has taken place and the vehicle driver is recanting his version of the facts to police or emergency personnel.

Inattentive motorists are not the only cause for motorcycle accidents. Other common factors that contribute to accidents involving motorcycles include:

• Speed
• Bike defects
• Weather conditions
• Road conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Tailgating
• Lane splitting
• Drug & alcohol use

The Severity Of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Many motorcycle riders and passengers despite the increased risk, do not wear any type of protective gear when operating a motorcycle. This only increases the chances and severity of injury following a motorcycle accident. The delicate structure and composition of the body is no match for the force inflicted on it by concrete and other objects often involved in motorcycle accidents. Not only are the type of injuries generally more severe in motorcycle accidents, so is the intensity of such injuries. Death is often a serious risk anytime an accident takes place involving a motorcycle. The kind of injury that is most responsible for fatalities in motorcycle accidents are head injuries. Even if the rider is wearing a helmet the force inflicted on their head can be tremendous, and in many cases, life-threatening. Some of the more serious injuries many motorcycle riders and passengers suffer from after an accident include:

• Traumatic head & brain injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Torn muscles, ligaments, & tendons
• Road rash & abrasions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Lacerations
• Severe bruising

More Information

• What Are The Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Houston?
• Is It Mandatory To Wear A Helmet And Safety Gear When Riding A Motorcycle In Texas?

Call Today For Help

Many times, motorcyclists are inappropriately labeled as reckless or negligent, and are discriminated against by insurance companies who may unfairly deny their claims. Stanley Injury Law understands what you are up against as a motorcyclist injured in a crash. Even as you may be dealing with life altering and extensive injuries, your medical bills and legal questions continue to pile up. Mr. Stanley can help ensure you get the answers and the compensation you need. Call today at (832) 402-6008 or go online to schedule a free consultation or submit your case directly for review.