Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer


Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you know how life-changing the experience can be.  At Stoy Law Group, PLLC, we’ve helped countless motorcycle accident victims.

Our page on motorcycle accidents not only provides you with the information needed in the event you are injured in a motorcycle accident, but also with helpful information to promote safe riding.

In the event you find yourself needing legal representation for a motorcycle wreck, call Chris Stoy, the Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at (817) 820-0100 or fill out a free case evaluation online.

Motorcycle Risks and Riding

Before you decide to start riding motorcycles, you need to understand the risk your undertaking.  If you’re ever going to be involved in a motorcycle crash, statistics say it is going to occur in a curve or at an intersection.  Most motorcycle riders understand that riding is riskier than driving.

The primary reasons that riding is riskier than driving are:

  1. A motorcycle is less stable than an automobile.
    • You must balance a motorcycle at lower speeds and control of cornering forces as higher speeds is required.
  2. Motorcycle Riders are More Vulnerable.
    • Automobile operators are protected by frames and sheets of metal.  At most, motorcycle riders are usually only protected by leather and a helmet.
  3. Motorcycle Riders are Less Visible.
    • Motorcycles are smaller and present a narrower object than most vehicles.

Awareness of the Risk-Reducing the Variables

When most people think of motorcycle crashes, they usually think of speed, distracted driving, drunk driving, and carelessness.  However, think about the following situation:

A motorcycle rider is heading home around 6:00 p.m. after a long day at work.  He is taking his normal route home, which includes a sharp curve followed by an intersection.  An 80-year-old woman with glaucoma and cataracts is stopped at the intersection.  The driver considers slowing as he approaches the intersection but is in a hurry to get home.  The lady, temporarily blind by the sun,  pulls out and the rider swerves into a ditch to miss the vehicle.

He breaks his leg.

Now, perhaps the lady should not have been operating a vehicle, but perhaps the sun caught her just right.  Maybe the rider wasn’t very good at swerving.  How could the rider have known the lady operating the vehicle couldn’t see well in the sun?

Our attorneys follow a theory called “Reduce the Variables”.  As riders, we can never remove all risks associated with riding a motorcycle just as we cannot remove all risk associated with driving a car.  But, we can reduce the variables that could cause injury.

Wear a helmet, don’t ride when angry, don’t ride when tired or intoxicated, slow down, even when you don’t think you need to.  These are just some precautions you can take to Reduce the Variables.

Accepting the Risk

Awareness of the risk is one thing, but if you’re going to ride, and be good, you have to accept the risk.  Often, hesitation can lead to accidents.  If you’re constantly in a state of fear about riding, perhaps riding isn’t a thing for you.

No matter what, before considering becoming a motorcycle rider, it is highly suggested that you take the Basic Ridercourse sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

If you’re considering whether motorcycle riding is something for you, ask yourself some basic questions:

  1. What do people say about the way I drive my car?
  2. Have I been in a lot of car wrecks?
  3. Do I often have “near misses?”
  4. Do I get distracted easily while driving?

Managing the Risk

If you chose to ride a motorcycle, you should learn to manage the risk.

Many people think that a good motorcycle rider is someone who has great skills, or who can ride fast.  That’s not necessarily so.  And while being a cautious rider and one that obeys the law is certainly helpful, even those traits aren’t what truly makes a great rider.

A great motorcycle rider is one who knows how to manage the risks.

In order to manage the risks, it is often said that a rider needs three safety margins:

  1. Skill and maneuverability beyond that which is actually needed  The rider should possess the skill and ability to manipulate and control the motorcycle at all times.  In order to manipulate and control the motorcycle, it is important that you only ride a motorcycle that fits you properly in terms of weight, size and power, in relation to your skill level.
  2. Traction beyond that which is actually needed.  Traction is a finite resource when it comes to riding a motorcycle.  You must possess enough traction for any type of road surface, whether it be wet, dry, ice, etc. at all times.
  3. Time and Space.  A rider should always maintain a space fusion and escape path so that he/she can smoothly respond to situations.  A rider should always maintain a safe speed.

Self Awareness

Before you start riding motorcycles, you need to take a good, hard, long look in the mirror.  Will you make good choices?  Can you commit yourself to remain attentive at all times while operating a motorcycle?  Can you manage your desire to act foolishly?

A self-awareness test is critical before starting to ride a motorcycle, but it also necessary as our skills and experience improve.  You’re not being cocky, just because you know you’re a good rider, but it’s almost inevitable that your confidence goes up with your riding ability.

A rise in skill and confidence encourages and allows riders to take greater risk.

And rightfully so.

However, as your skill increases, you should continuously take self-awareness tests.

Did I get too bold on the road today?

Did I have a near miss?

Maybe I should slow down?

Maybe I should take an advanced rider course?

A rider should always possess enough skill to handle the risks presented.

Moreover, a rider should always have good Risk Offset.  

Risk Offset is the difference between the risks a rider takes and the skill the rider possesses.

  • Good Risk Offset = Skill > Risk
  • Bad Risk Offset = Risk > Skill

Basic Motorcycle Riding Strategies

Having a game plan when it comes to riding can lead to a safe and enjoyable experience.

As discussed above, most motorcycle crashes happen at intersections and curves.

With preplanning, you can reduce the likelihood of being in a motorcycle wreck.

Lane Positioning, Presentation, and Visibility

If you’re given the option of more than one lane, pick one where you don’t have to change often and one where you can see and be seen.

Always maintain a four-second cushion between you and traffic ahead.  If you’re riding on a freeway, try to avoid the right lane, especially at entrance and exit ramps where merging, yielding and road traffic conflict occurs.

As a motorcyclist, you each lane of road traffic provides you with three “motorcycle” lanes: left, middle, and right.

Presentation is a motorcycle term used to describe the use of a lane position so other motorists have the best chance to see you.  This especially applies as a rider approaches a line of oncoming cars.

Below is a list of lane positions to use depending on different situations:

  • Left Third of Lane
    • Starting Position
    • Traveling down a two lane street with driveways; the left third allows you to sees cars backing out
    • When approaching a curve to the right, the left third gives you a better view
    • When traffic is parked on the right side of the roadway
    • When intersections have limited views to the right
    • Usually provides a high point of the lane free of oil, debris, and manholes which are usually found in the middle or right side of the lane
  • Middle Third of Lane
    • When hazards are on both sides
    • As you approach the crest of a hill
    • When visibility at intersections is low on both sides
  • Right Third of Lane
    • When approaching oncoming trucks and traffics, the right third can move you away from the wind blast
    • When approaching a curve to the left, the right third provides better visibility
    • When an intersection has low visibility to the left

Think ahead and use all your senses to determine what position you should be in and when you should change.

Don’t just think of the road from your perspective.

Consider it from the other driver’s perspective.

True, not all motorist look twice for motorcycles, but you can do your part by being visible in the event they do.

Besides proper lane positioning, you can also improve visibility in the following ways:

  • Headlights – Use your headlights at all times
  • Clothing – Bright colored clothing and a bright helmet can improve visibility.  Reflective clothing should be worn at night
  • Turn Signals – Bottom line, use them.  Then turn them off
  • Brake Lights – Make sure your’s is working at all times.  Consider purchasing a blinking brake light to attract more attention
  • Horns – Most factory horns aren’t very loud.  You can purchase an upgrade if you’d like

Common Motorcycle Accident Causes

The age old wisdom when it comes to riding a bike is that it’s not so much yourself you have to be concerned about, its the other drivers on the road.  Anyone that’s ever ridden a bike knows this.  Bikes are smaller, lighter and have much less of a presence on roadways than their four-wheeled counter parts.

Combine this with other factors and typically we find that its the other party who is at fault for a bike wreck.

The other party’s fault is typically exhibited in one of the following ways:

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Because riders are not protected like truck and auto operators, the injuries bikers sustain are typically much worse.

The injuries we tend to see on a recurring basis are:

If you’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident and Have No Health Insurance, We Can Help

At Stoy Law Group, PLLC, we have helped a countless number of clients get treatment for the injuries they received from a motorcycle wreck with no upfront money out of their pocket.

We can do the same for you.  To learn more, follow this link.

How Do I Contact Stoy Law Group, PLLC?

If you’ve been injured in a  motorcycle accident, call someone who knows the bike world.

Contact Chris Stoy at Stoy Law Group, PLLC today for a free, initial case consultation.

You can contact the office at (817) 820-0100 or fill out a free case evaluation online.