Motorcyclist Killed in Road Debris Accident

According to a KSAT News report, a motorcyclist was found dead by police hours after hitting road debris and crashing on August 20, 2023.

Police reported the accident happened in the early morning hours, but the accident was not reported until almost 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 20. The 31-year-old cyclist hit a pallet left in the street, causing him to run off the road and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not say if the man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Did You Know?

80% of motorcycle accidents result in death or injury, compared to only 20% of auto accidents.

Top 3 Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in San Antonio

The thrill and feeling of freedom that comes with a motorcycle ride in the scenic hill country of San Antonio attracts thousands of riders. But accidents can and do happen across San Antonio and result in injury or death for the rider most of the time. Let’s look at the top 3 causes of motorcycle accidents in San Antonio and what to do if you were in one.

Cause #1 — Drunk Driving

The most prevalent cause of motorcycle accidents is drunk driving. 45% of bikers involved in fatal accidents had some level of alcohol in their system, and 29% were over the legal limit in 2012.

Even a small amount of alcohol impairs the brain. You don’t have to be drunk to have your driving affected by alcohol. After only one drink, the following functions are affected:

• balance and coordination
• judgment and reasoning
• memory and learning
• social behavior

This limits your ability to pick up cues from other drivers, notice objects in the road, and it slows your reaction time. If you are going to drink, don’t ride. It could save your life.

Cause #2 — Distracted Drivers

Almost half of all motorcycle accidents happen because a driver did not notice a motorcycle. This is often due to driver inattention, most commonly occurring at left turns in an intersection. The most common types of distractions include:

• texting
• smoking
• eating/drinking
• fiddling with the radio
• talking
• sending emails
• daydreaming

Distracted driving accidents should never happen. They are completely preventable, yet cause thousands of tragic accidents every year.

Cause #3 — Roadway Conditions/Debris in the Road

Some common conditions on roadways that have a small effect on drivers but a significant impact on bikers are poor roadway conditions or debris in the road. Some examples of dangerous roadway conditions include:

• gravel or sand
• potholes
• uneven or grooved roadways
• low-hanging branches
• bridge joints

A motorcyclist may encounter dangerous debris like:

• Tree branches
• car parts or blown tire fragments
• construction debris
• trash or furniture
• fallen signs

A driver would hardly think twice about these things, but they could cause a catastrophic accident for a biker in San Antonio.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Motorcycles are often blamed immediately for accidents but are often caused by outside forces or other drivers. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, you need a personal injury attorney to help you build a solid defense and ensure that you receive all the compensation legally owed to you.

Hire Carabin Shaw Personal Injury Attorneys

Our team of personal injury attorneys has 30 years of experience representing those injured in motorcycle accidents in San Antonio and the surrounding area. Don’t take the blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Contact our team for a no-risk, no-obligation call at 800-862-1260, or use the live chat in the bottom right of your screen. We look forward to serving you.