Texas Personal Injury Law Blog

On Thursday, April 15, 2010, a man was killed in a motorcycle accident when he lost control on a Dallas freeway. According to an article on MyFoxDFW, the 31-year-old man had been riding a high-speed performance motorcycle northbound on Stemmons Freeway (I-35E) and lost control on a curve near the Oak Lawn exit. Investigators say that he crashed into the guardrail, causing the Suzuki Hayabusa to roll several times. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No further information about the accident has been provided.

Suzuki Hayabusa is said to be one of the fastest motorcycles available on the market, being able to reach top speeds of 200 miles. Motorcyclists are 21 times more likely to lose their life in an accident than someone driving a car. Moreover, they are four times more likely to be seriously injured. This is because motorcyclists do not have the same level of protection as a car.

In 2006, nearly 5,000 people were killed in motorcycle accidents. In a study conducted by the University of Southern California and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the prevailing cause of motorcycle accidents is due to a failure to see or recognize motorcycles in traffic. Often times, drivers do not see a motorcyclist until it is too late to avoid collision. This is commonly considered negligence.

Victims in Dallas motorcycle accidents where a driver is deemed negligent are entitled to recover compensations for any financial losses sustained as a result of the accidents. In more serious cases, wrongful death suits may be filed against negligent drivers.

According to an article on Southeastern Record, the family of a minor, who was involved in a catastrophic personal injury accident on November 4, 2009, claims that General Motors (GM) is at fault. The accident occurred in Tyler, Texas when the driver of a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer swerved to avoid hitting a large dog in the road, causing the vehicle to rollover. One of the passengers in the car, a female minor, sustained serious injuries and had to have her right arm amputated above the elbow.

Her family is now suing GM, arguing that the vehicle did not have adequate protection for rollover accidents and is “unreasonably, dangerously defective,” causing unnecessary rollovers during normal operating conditions. The lawsuit was filed April 13, 2010, and the plaintiff seeks damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, punitive damages, medical expenses, mental anguish, costs of suit and interest.

Rollover accidents in Texas, like this one, can lead to serious and catastrophic injuries, leaving victims suffering for years. Here are a few tips on how to prevent a rollover accident:

• Do not drive erratically.
• Be aware of your surroundings, including pedestrians, animals, other drivers and road defects such as potholes and gradation changes.
• Do not drive intoxicated, tired or on medication.
• Obey all traffic laws.

If a vehicle is deemed defective, then the car manufacturer, designer and retailers may be held liable for any accidents incurred. Manufacturers are required to ensure that their products are safe for consumers. If they are not safe, victims of product defects are entitled to seek compensation.