Texas Accident & Injury News
How important is wearing the proper gear when going out for a ride?
Motorcyclist in Critical Condition After Hitting Mustang Head-On
According to a KSAT News report, a motorcyclist was hospitalized following a head-on collision accident last week.
Police reported the accident occurred at around 5 p.m. on March 13th at the Gibbs Sprawl and Walzem Road intersection on the Northeast Side. A man who was not identified was thrown from his motorcycle after colliding head-on with a Ford Mustang in the intersection. It is unclear why the collision happened. According to BCSO, he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, and no other injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing.
Did You Know?
Nearly one-third of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections in Texas.
Common Reasons Motorcyclists Skip the Helmet and Why Should Always Wear One
Every motorcyclist should wear the proper safety gear on every ride.
In Texas, you are not legally required to wear a helmet if you are older than 21, have completed a training course, and carry insurance, so many opt out of helmet use. That’s plain stupid — you should never ride anywhere, even short distances, without all of the proper safety gear.
So why do some motorcyclists choose to risk their lives by not wearing helmets?
Why Motorcyclists Choose Not to Wear Helmets
An academic study in 2014 interviewing motorcyclists admitted to an emergency room found that the most common reasons for not wearing helmets and other safety gear are:
- The added weight of the helmet (77%)
- Helmets make you feel the heat more intensely (71.4%)
- Neck pain (69.4%)
- Feeling suffocated (67.7%)
- Limitation of movement (59.6%)
Other common reasons included confidence in riding ability, wanting to look cool, and the fact that the rider had never been in an accident before.
3 Reasons Why You Should Always Wear a Helmet
Yes, motorcycle helmets can be uncomfortable if they don’t fit properly and can be a bother to carry around. But they do keep you safe. The top three reasons why you should always wear a helmet include:
- Helmets Protect You From Head/Neck Injuries — Severe head trauma and TBI are common reasons why motorcyclists die in accidents. The CDC estimates that a DOT-approved helmet reduces your risk of life-threatening injury by 37% and reduces the risk of head injury by 69%.
- Helmets Protect Your Face — Despite popular belief, helmets increase your ability to see by reducing sun glare and protecting your eyes and face from road debris and dirt.
- Helmets Increase Your Visibility — Distracted drivers often miss motorcyclists. Wearing a brightly-colored design on your helmet increases a driver’s ability to see you as well as expresses your individuality.
Don’t rely on your own ability or other motorists to keep you safe. Always wear a helmet when you ride your motorcycle.
Of course, motorcyclists can wear all of the proper safety gear and still be injured by a careless motorist.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in San Antonio? Call Carabin Shaw.
Don’t take the blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
If you were hit and injured by a distracted or careless motorist in San Antonio, call our motorcycle accident attorneys at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat today. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to talk with one of our attorneys about your case for free to discuss your legal options. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.