Woman Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Being Struck by Motorcycle

According to a KSAT news report, a woman was hospitalized after being hit by a motorcycle while walking on the highway late Saturday night.

Police reported the incident occurred at around 11 p.m. on US 281 South, south of Loop 410 near Del Lago Parkway. The woman was walking in the middle of the highway wearing dark clothing where there was no designated crossing area or crosswalk. An approaching motorcycle also traveling south was unable to avoid hitting the woman. She was hospitalized in critical condition. The rider stayed at the scene and is not expected to face charges.

Did You Know?

Drivers are more likely to face unexpected obstacles on the road during the holiday season.

How to Avoid Common Road Obstacles While Driving at Night

What do you get when you combine highway construction with the holiday season? More obstacles in the road.

In the winter, nightfall comes much faster. This means many more people than normal will be traveling at night during this period. Also, in December, there is an increased risk of large debris like Christmas trees in the roadways. This is all in addition to increased construction during this period, which brings its own elevated risk of road debris.

Let’s look at some of the most common obstacles faced by motorists on today’s roads and what you can do to avoid hitting them.

Deer

Deer are not limited to rural areas — increasing numbers of deer strikes occur in urban and suburban areas across Texas. Construction can push deer out of their normal location and onto the roadway as highways and businesses expand into wooded areas.

Deer are most commonly observed on the road during the early morning hours and dusk when many people will still be driving to and from work during the winter. If you see a deer on the road, don’t swerve to avoid it. This increases the risk of an accident with another vehicle and confuses the deer. Instead, brake slowly and brace for impact.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to stop in time, but if not, pull over and assess the damage. Call 9-1-1 if your vehicle is severely damaged or if the animal is still alive.

Flying Objects and Large Road Debris

Something as small as a grocery bag or as large as a Christmas tree can come flying at your windshield, especially at highway speeds. If this happens, try not to panic. Quickly check for traffic around you and switch lanes safely.

If you suddenly come upon a large object in the road, try to steer your wheels so that they straddle the object as you pass.

Pets/Pedestrians

Children, loose pets, and drunk pedestrians can all display erratic crossing behaviors that make driving downtown or through neighborhoods at night during the holidays more dangerous.

Always use extra caution when driving through these areas at night, especially during the holidays. It can be easy to be distracted by lights and decor as a pedestrian or driver and miss critical mistakes.

Strike an Unexpected Object in the Road? Call Carabin Shaw

If you hit a random object in the road, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team at Carabin Shaw has been representing those injured by road debris in San Antonio for 30 years, and we can help you find out if you have a case for free. Call us at 800-862-1260. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT News report