With less traffic on the road in 2020 and a 2 percent reduction in motorcycle crashes, you would expect there to be fewer cyclist killed in crashes, but the opposite occurred. In Texas, there was a 17 percent increase in Texas motorcycle fatalities compared to 2019.
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that in the 7,481 motorcycle crashes in Texas last year, 1,856 motorcyclists were seriously injured and 482 were killed. According to Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), fatal crashes between motorcyclists and drivers often occur when drivers misjudge the motorcycle’s distance and speed and make left turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclist. For our firm, these statistics are not merely interesting reading, we are representing a wonderful Collin County family right now who lost a son and a father in a crash that occurred when an 18-wheeler misjudged the motorcycle’s distance and turned left in front of them.
These statistics represent real people killed and real families devastated by carelessness at intersections. They are a sobering reminder that much work needs to be done to make the roads safer for those depending on others to follow the rules of the road.
May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As we close the month, please stay safe and stay vigilant. Motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrians, and other traffic are depending on you. If you find yourself injured by the poor driving of another, we at the McCraw Law Group are here to help you put your life or your family back together.