Grapevine, TX Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles offer freedom, speed, and a unique connection to the road. However, that sense of freedom can also make riders especially vulnerable when a collision occurs. Unlike occupants of cars or trucks, motorcyclists are not surrounded by the protective frame of a vehicle, which means even a low-speed accident can result in severe injuries. Motorcycle accidents are often caused by negligent drivers who fail to share the road safely. When careless or reckless behavior leads to a crash, a Grapevine motorcycle accident attorney can help injured riders take steps to recover financial compensation.

At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., our lawyer represents motorcyclists in personal injury claims following serious collisions. With a deep understanding of the legal issues that can affect motorcycle accident claims and a commitment to results, he will fight to obtain the compensation needed to cover a victim's medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, long-term care, and other damages.

How Traffic Violations Can Lead to Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, which places riders at a near-constant risk, especially when other drivers disregard the rules of the road. Common traffic violations that can lead to collisions with motorcyclists include:

• Failure to Yield: A driver may not yield the right of way to motorcycles at intersections, when turning left, or when merging into traffic. This can cause them to cut off a motorcyclist or turn in front of them, blocking their path with no way to avoid a collision.
• Improper Lane Changes: When drivers do not check their mirrors or blind spots before changing lanes, they may cause sideswipe accidents or force a motorcycle off the road.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Intersections can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. A driver who disregards a traffic signal could strike a motorcycle from the side, inflicting serious injuries.
• Speeding: When driving at an unsafe speed, a person's reaction times will be reduced, and they will require more stopping distance. These issues can make it impossible to avoid a crash with a motorcycle that has slowed down in front of a driver.
• Following Too Closely: Motorcycles can stop more quickly than larger vehicles, and if they need to do so suddenly, they may be struck from behind by a driver who was tailgating.

When drivers violate traffic laws, they put everyone at risk. However, the consequences for motorcyclists are often far more severe than those that a dangerous driver may face. Our lawyer can establish liability for an accident by reviewing traffic citations, police reports, dash cam footage, and eyewitness accounts to prove that a driver's illegal actions caused the crash.

Distracted Driving and its Risks for Motorcyclists

While distracted driving is dangerous in any situation, it can pose a unique threat to motorcyclists. Riders are less visible, and they may be affected by subtle changes in traffic flow. When a driver does not pay attention to the road—even for a few seconds—the risk of striking a motorcycle increases dramatically.

Common distractions that can lead to motorcycle collisions include:

• Texting or reading messages on a phone
• Talking on the phone (even when using hands-free technology)
• Adjusting navigation systems or a vehicle's radio
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Looking away from the road to interact with passengers or reach for objects in the vehicle

Unlike larger vehicles, motorcycles may not appear in a distracted driver's limited field of vision, especially if the driver fails to perform proper mirror checks or look at their blind spots when changing lanes. Our attorney can investigate distracted driving cases by analyzing cellphone records, surveillance footage, and vehicle data to uncover evidence that negligence occurred.