(Contributed article for our North American readers)
Motor vehicle accidents injure and kill countless Texans every year. The city of Dallas is no exception. In fact, Dallas has more motor vehicle accidents than nearly every other city in the entire state.
In 2018 alone, there were 31,950 motor vehicle crashes in Dallas, TX.194 of these accidents were fatal, and 867 resulted in serious injuries to passengers.
It is important to note, however, that these 31,950 total accidents in Dallas involved various types of motor vehicles. Two of the most common types of vehicles involved in Dallas motor vehicle accidents are passenger cars and motorcycles. But which type of vehicle results in more accidents in Dallas? Read on to find out and learn more about what you can do after an accident in Dallas, TX.
Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics in General
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 14.47 people per 100,000 died on Dallas streets in 2017. One source notes that Dallas reported 1.57 speeding fatalities per 100,000 people—the most in the United States. Additionally, Dallas had the fifth-highest rate of fatal traffic accidents among the 25 largest cities in the United States.
To be frank, Dallas roads can be dangerous. However, some types of vehicles can put you and your loved ones at risk more than others.
Car vs. Motorcycle Accidents: Which Occurs More Often?
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported the following statistics in 2018 with respect to passenger car vehicle accidents:
- 487,421 total crashes;
- 48,252 non-incapacitating injury crashes;
- 8,383 suspected serious injury crashes; and
- 1,763 fatal crashes.
While Texas did experience a decrease in overall traffic fatalities from 2017 to 2018, these numbers are still concerning.
With respect to motorcycle accidents, TxDOT reported the following statistics in 2018:
- 7,863 total crashes;
- 2,735 non-incapacitating injury crashes;
- 1,844 suspected serious injury crashes; and
- 436 fatal crashes.
A quick comparison of the statistics for car and motorcycle accidents in Texas will provide a quick answer—passenger car accidents are by far more common in Texas. However, these numbers don’t necessarily show which type of motor vehicle is more dangerous or more prone to accidents.
The Real Question—Which Type of Vehicle Is More Dangerous?
Passenger cars are the primary mode of transportation for most Americans. This is the main reason that there are so many more passenger car crashes than motorcycle crashes each year.
However, based on the TxDOT statistics above, less than 1% of the 487,421 total passenger car accidents in 2018 were fatal. This percentage is very small compared to the number of fatal cases in motorcycle accidents. In 2018, nearly 6% of the 7,863 total motorcycle accidents were fatal.
In fact, in 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a car crash per vehicle mile traveled. Thus, while car accidents occur more often than motorcycle accidents, this does not mean that motorcycle accidents are “safe” by any means.
Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas
There are numerous reports of motorcycle accidents in and around Dallas, TX. Often, these accidents occur at no fault of the motorcyclist and are instead due to the actions of other negligent drivers.
The fact of the matter is that regardless of what precautions you take, motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars. Failure to wear a helmet can make matters even worse. In fact, in 2018, 49% of motorcyclists killed in an accident were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
What to Do Next If You Are Involved in a Car or Motorcycle Accident in Dallas
Regardless of which type of accident occurs more often, the fact remains that there is always a chance that you might be involved in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas. Whether your primary mode of transportation is a motorcycle or a passenger car, if you sustain injuries in a collision, it is important to know your rights and what steps to take.
What Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover
If you are involved in a car or motorcycle accident in Dallas, you may be entitled to damages. Legal “damages” are the “costs associated with your car accident that you might be entitled to receive to help you recover.” [source: https://www.injuryrelief.com/dallas-car-accident-lawyer/]
Damages that you may be able to recover in a motor vehicle accident case include compensation for:
- Property damage to your vehicle;
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages or lost earning capacity due to your injuries;
- Pain and suffering;
- Stress and anxiety;
- Emotional distress; and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
If any of the above legal damages exist in your case, it is imperative that you take action so that you can begin working toward your recovery. Knowing your rights and what you may be entitled to recover is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve.
When to Start Taking Action
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas, don’t wait. One of the most important things to note about car and motorcycle accidents in Texas is the statute of limitations.
A statute of limitations is essentially the timeframe in which you must bring a certain type of legal claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a car or motorcycle accident claim is two years. This means that you must file your legal claim within two years from the date of the accident. Failure to do so could result in losing your right to recover compensation. Thus, make sure to act quickly to ensure that you give yourself enough time to bring any legal claims.
If you are ready to take action, consider reaching out to a motorcycle or car accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal process. If you don’t feel ready to take that step quite yet, you should at least start looking for resources online to help you determine what next steps to take, if any.
Regardless of where you are in the process, don’t forget to seek medical attention as soon as practicable. Car and motorcycle accidents can cause significant physical and emotional trauma, so make sure you take care of yourself first and foremost.