Operating a motorcycle is very different from driving a car. It requires a different set of skills. It also requires a different level of focus and awareness about your surroundings. A momentary lapse in concentration while operating a motorcycle can result in a motorcycle accident that causes serious or even fatal injuries.
As a result, Texas has several laws that only apply to motorcyclists. These laws cover many aspects of riding, including the equipment the rider must wear, the insurance they must carry, and the licensing requirements they must meet.
If you’ve recently been injured in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, Texas, George Salinas Injury Lawyers can help you obtain compensation from the at-fault party. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or call (210) 225-0909.
How George Salinas Injury Lawyers Can Help You Recover Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in San Antonio
George Salinas Injury Lawyers is a firm of award-winning personal injury lawyers serving accident victims in San Antonio, Texas. Our San Antonio motorcycle accident attorney have over 110 years of combined experience and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
When you hire us, we can help by providing:
- A free consultation so you can make informed decisions about your case
- An aggressive advocate who stands up to insurers to make your voice heard
- A legal team with the skill, knowledge, and experience to pursue fair compensation in your case
Motorcycle accidents often cause catastrophic head, neck, and back injuries, even when riders comply with all applicable motorcycle laws.
How Many Motorcycle Accidents Happen in San Antonio?
If you query the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS), you will find that Texas had 8,763 motorcycle crashes in 2022. These motorcycle accidents caused:
- 557 fatalities
- 2,298 serious injuries that incapacitated the motorcyclist
- 3,015 minor injuries that left a visible, non-incapacitating wound
- 1,395 suspected injuries that caused pain or other symptoms but left no visible wound
Of these, 532 crashes happened in San Antonio. These crashes injured or killed 417 motorcyclists. Only 19.9% of motorcyclists involved in San Antonio motorcycle crashes in 2022 walked away uninjured.
Texas Laws Covering Motorcycles and Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists face many risks that automobile drivers do not face. Motorcycles have no passenger compartment to protect riders in a crash. As a result, they can suffer serious injuries in both the initial collision with the vehicle and the secondary ground impact.
Equally importantly, motorcycle operators need skill and balance to keep their motorcycles upright. Even a minor collision can knock a motorcyclist off balance and cause them to lose control of their motorcycle.
As a result, Texas has an interest in guaranteeing that all motorcyclists have the skill, knowledge, experience, and equipment to ride safely. Motorcycle laws in Texas cover various areas relating to these concerns, including:
Motorcycle Licensing
Like every other state, Texas requires all motorcycle operators to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.
To get a motorcycle license in Texas, you must either hold a valid motorcycle license from another state or pass a motorcycle safety course. The motorcycle safety course must meet the state’s educational requirements. A typical course will take a day and include classroom and hands-on instruction.
Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcyclists must carry liability insurance to register their motorcycles in Texas. If you ride without insurance, the state can cancel your registration.
The liability insurance requirements for motorcycles include the following:
- Bodily injury liability coverage of $30,000 per injured person up to $60,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage of $25,000 per accident
This insurance pays other people if a motorcyclist causes an accident that results in injuries or property damage.
Motorcycle Equipment and Inspections
Motorcycles have a unique set of equipment requirements that differs from those for cars. To make sure motorcycles comply with the equipment requirements, motorcycle owners must undergo an annual motorcycle safety inspection at a certified inspection station. This inspection examines:
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) and proof of insurance
- Mirror
- Horn
- Tail lamp, stop lamp, license plate light, and headlamp
- Rear reflector
- Steering
- Brakes
- Tires and wheels
- Exhaust
If your vehicle fails the inspection, you can have the unsafe part repaired or replaced and return for a free reinspection within 15 days.
Traffic Laws
Motorcyclists must comply with the same traffic laws as vehicle drivers. This means that motorcycle operators in Texas are not allowed to share lanes by riding two abreast as in other states. Similarly, riders cannot split lanes by riding on lane lines in heavy or stopped traffic.
Motorcycle operators cannot carry passengers unless the motorcycle has a seat designed to carry an extra person. The motorcycle must also have footrests for the passenger.
Motorcyclists, including operators and passengers, under the age of 21 must wear a motorcycle helmet. Riders over 21 do not need to wear a helmet if they completed a motorcycle safety course or have health insurance to pay for any crash injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Trusted San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Were you recently hurt in a San Antonio, Texas, motorcycle crash? Our qualified San Antonio motorcycle accident attorneys can help. Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle accident and the compensation you can seek for your injuries.
