Snellings Law PLLC Attorneys are Personal Injury Trial Lawyers
The Human Cost of Unsafe Roads: Motorcycle Fatalities and Wrongful Death Claims
Key Takeaways:
- Motorcycle accidents often result in serious or fatal injuries due to lack of protection.
- Families who lose loved ones in motorcycle accidents may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek justice and recover damages.
- If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights.
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience. There’s nothing like the freedom and adventure of the open road. However, motorcycles also come with greater risks. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles provide little protection in a crash. Even when riders wear helmets and protective gear, the force of an impact can lead to life-threatening injuries or death.
The statistics are sobering. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about 22 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles. Many of these fatalities could have been prevented if drivers were more aware, roads were better maintained, and safety laws were more strictly enforced.
For families who lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident, the emotional and financial burdens can be overwhelming. In some cases, filing a wrongful death claim can help ease the financial strain and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Why Are Motorcycle Fatalities So Common?
Burn wounds also make it harder for the body to retain moisture, causing fluid loss and dehydration. In severe cases, burns can affect the body’s ability to control temperature, making it hard to stay warm or cool.
Getting medical care right away is critical because the skin is so important for overall health. Burns can worsen quickly, turning what seems like a minor injury into a much bigger problem. Fast treatment helps prevent infections, reduces pain, and improves healing.
How Delayed Emergency Responses Affect Burn Victims
Several factors contribute to the high fatality rate for motorcyclists:
1. Negligent Drivers
Many motorcycle crashes occur because other drivers fail to see or respect motorcycles on the road. Some of the most common causes include:
- Failure to yield – Cars turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle cause a large percentage of fatal crashes.
- Distracted driving – Drivers using cell phones, adjusting radios, or eating while driving may not notice motorcycles.
- Speeding – Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.
- Drunk driving – Impaired drivers have slower reflexes and poorer judgment, making them a major hazard to motorcyclists.
2. Defective Motorcycle Parts
In some cases, accidents are caused by mechanical failures due to defective parts. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and faulty steering mechanisms can turn a routine ride into a tragedy. When a defective motorcycle part leads to a fatal accident, the manufacturer or distributor could be held responsible.
3. Poorly Maintained Roads
Potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and lack of proper signage can be dangerous for any driver. However, they are especially hazardous for motorcycles. Unlike cars, motorcycles have less stability. This makes it easier for a small road defect to cause a devastating crash.
4. Limited Visibility
Because motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, they are often harder for other drivers to see. This is especially dangerous at intersections or when cars change lanes without properly checking their blind spots.
5. Lack of Protective Barriers
Motorcycles do not have the safety features that cars do, such as airbags, seat belts, or an enclosed structure. This leaves riders vulnerable to severe injuries in a crash, especially if they are thrown from their bike.
6. Nighttime Driving Risks
Many motorcycle fatalities happen at night due to reduced visibility. Other drivers may have trouble seeing motorcyclists, increasing the likelihood of collisions. There is also a higher chance of encountering impaired or drowsy drivers after dark.
Addressing these risks—through better road maintenance, safer driving habits, and improved vehicle safety—could prevent many motorcycle fatalities.
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim is a legal action filed by surviving family members when someone dies due to another party’s negligence. These claims are especially important in motorcycle accident cases.
In Texas, wrongful death claims can be brought against different responsible parties. If a careless driver caused the crash—whether by texting, speeding, or driving under the influence—the victim’s family can take legal action against them. Sometimes, the driver is working for a company, like a rideshare or trucking business. In these cases, the company may also be responsible if it fails to train or supervise its drivers properly.
Motorcycle manufacturers can also be held accountable if a faulty part, like bad brakes or defective tires, causes the accident. Mechanical failures can be just as deadly as reckless driving. When a motorcycle malfunctions due to a defect, the company that designed, manufactured, or sold the part may be held accountable.
The goal of a wrongful death claim is not only to hold the negligent party accountable. It also can provide justice, healing, and financial relief to the surviving family members. Losing a loved one is not only heartbreaking but can also create serious financial burdens. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of income can make life even harder for grieving families. A wrongful death claim can help ease the financial burden and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
What Compensation Can Families Receive?
While no amount of money can bring back a lost loved one, recovering damages from a wrongful death claim can help ease the financial burden. Families may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical bills related to the accident before death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of income if the deceased was a financial provider
- Loss of companionship and emotional suffering
- Pain and suffering experienced by the victim before passing
To learn more about recoverable damages in a personal injury case, watch our damages series below:
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
To succeed in a wrongful death lawsuit, the family must prove that the death was caused by someone else’s negligence. This requires establishing the following elements:
- Duty of Care – The responsible party had a duty to drive safely, maintain roads, or manufacture safe products.
- Breach of Duty – They failed in that duty, whether by reckless driving, poor road maintenance, or a defective motorcycle part.
- Causation – Their negligence directly caused the fatal accident.
- Damages – The family suffered financial and emotional losses as a result.
If none of these individuals file a claim within three months, the person in charge of handling their affairs (called the executor) may file a claim instead. This allows someone to seek a just resolution on behalf of the deceased, even if their immediate family hasn’t taken legal action.
How to Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Wrongful Death Case
The right to file a wrongful death lawsuit varies by state. In Texas, the following parties are typically eligible:
- The spouse of the deceased
- Children of the deceased (including legally adopted children)
- Parents of the deceased
An experienced personal injury attorney can help gather evidence, such as police reports, accident reconstructions, medical records, and witness statements, to build a strong case.
Don’t Wait to Act
In Texas, wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. However, the sooner legal action is taken, the better the chances of gathering strong evidence. Over time, witnesses may forget key details and physical evidence may disappear.
If you believe your loved one’s motorcycle accident was caused by negligence, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
If you’d like to learn more, you can download our free Wrongful Death guide through the link below:
Snellings Law Provides Compassionate Legal Help When You Need It Most
Losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident is heartbreaking, and dealing with the aftermath can feel overwhelming. At Snellings Law, we are here to help families who have lost someone recover and heal.
Our team will carefully investigate the accident to find out who is responsible and gather the evidence needed to build a strong case. We will handle all negotiations with insurance companies to ensure that you are not pressured into accepting less than what you deserve. Our goal is to get the best resolution to help with medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional pain of your loss.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Let us help you get justice for your loved one. Call Snellings Law today at (214) 387-0387 for a free consultation—we are here for you every step of the way.
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