Motorcycle Accident Claims Often Start With a Driver’s Dangerous Decision
Motorcyclists face a different kind of danger every time they head out on the road. With no seat belts, airbags, and nothing but a helmet and riding gear for protection, even a minor mistake by someone else can become life-altering in a split second. What makes matters worse is that many motorcycle accidents aren’t caused by the rider. They’re caused by drivers in cars and trucks who don’t see the bike, don’t yield properly, or don’t give motorcycles the space they need.
At The Herrera Law Firm, our San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyers understand how devastating these crashes can be. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle wreck involving another driver's negligence, we can help you demand the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Here are the most common ways drivers cause serious motorcycle crashes and how an attorney can help victims navigate the aftermath.
1. Not checking blind spots
Motorcycles are smaller and narrower than cars, which means they’re a lot easier to miss. They fit perfectly into blind spots, which are those areas just over the shoulder that aren’t visible in the side or rearview mirrors.
Most drivers know they should check their blind spots before changing lanes, but in everyday traffic, that extra shoulder glance doesn’t always happen. Some rely too much on mirrors. Others assume that blind spot monitoring systems will catch everything. But those systems aren’t perfect, and they can’t detect every fast-moving motorcycle weaving through lanes or approaching from the rear.
This becomes especially dangerous at highway speeds. A quick lane change without checking can result in a sideswipe that sends a motorcyclist flying off their bike. In many cases, the driver says the same thing: “I didn’t see them.” But that doesn’t undo the damage.
2. Turning left in front of motorcycles
One of the most deadly scenarios for motorcyclists involves a driver turning left at an intersection. The motorcycle is coming straight through with the right of way, and the driver makes a left turn directly into its path.
It happens all the time, and it’s not typically because the driver was being aggressive. It’s because they didn’t judge the motorcycle’s speed correctly. A single headlight on a smaller frame can trick the brain into thinking the bike is farther away and moving slower than it really is. That’s a deadly miscalculation. A left-turning car blocks the bike’s path, and there’s no time to stop or swerve. It’s a split-second decision that ends in tragedy.
3. Following too closely
Motorcycles can stop quickly, sometimes even faster than the average car. That’s great for the rider’s control, but it becomes a serious hazard when the vehicle behind them is too close.
Tailgating a motorcycle is not just annoying; it’s dangerous. A sudden stop or quick downshift might not even trigger brake lights, but it can leave the driver behind with no time to react. The result is often a rear-end crash that throws the rider onto the pavement.
Unlike a fender-bender between two cars, there’s no “minor” rear-end crash when it involves a motorcycle. Even at low speeds, a bump from behind can cause serious injuries or worse. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t give motorcycles the same buffer they’d give a larger vehicle. Whether out of impatience or a failure to recognize the risk, it’s a behavior that puts lives at stake.
4. Opening car doors without looking
In cities and busy downtown areas, a common yet often overlooked danger is something called “dooring.” It happens when a driver or a passenger swings open a car door into traffic without checking to see who or what might be coming.
When a motorcyclist is riding close to parked cars, an unexpected open door becomes an immediate and unavoidable obstacle. There’s no time to swerve and no time to brake. The rider either slams into the door or tries to avoid it and ends up colliding with moving traffic instead.
Dooring is usually associated with bicycles, but the danger for motorcyclists is even greater because of the speed and force involved. A door that would bruise a bicyclist can shatter a motorcyclist’s leg.
There’s a simple fix for this: the “Dutch Reach.” It’s a technique that involves using the hand farthest from the door to open it. That little movement forces the person to turn their body and look over their shoulder, which makes it more likely they’ll spot an approaching bike. It’s a small habit that can prevent a devastating crash.
5. Driving distracted
Distraction is a universal threat, but it hits motorcyclists especially hard. A driver glancing at a phone, fiddling with the GPS, or checking their watch may completely overlook a motorcycle. Drivers are more likely to notice other cars or trucks, but a motorcycle can easily slip under the radar if someone’s attention is divided.
A distracted driver might look both ways and still not see the motorcyclist. That’s called inattentional blindness. The eyes take in the image, but the brain doesn’t process it as a threat because it’s not as big, loud, or obvious. The growing number of distractions inside today’s cars (e.g., touchscreens, alerts, voice commands) only makes things worse. Every second spent looking away from the road is a second a life could be lost.
Injured? Contact a San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyer today
Don’t let an insurance company decide what your motorcycle accident case is worth. If you were hit by a negligent driver in San Antonio or the surrounding area, you have rights, and The Herrera Law Firm is ready to fight for them.
Our experienced San Antonio motorcycle accident attorneys know the tactics insurance companies use to downplay injuries, shift the blame, and pressure victims into settling for less. We won’t let that happen. We dig deep, build strong cases, and demand the full compensation victims deserve for medical bills, lost income, pain, and more.
You only get one shot at justice, so make it count. With no upfront costs and no fee unless we win, there’s nothing stopping you from getting the legal help you need.
We’ve been helping injured riders in San Antonio and throughout Texas for decades, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you. Contact us online or call our San Antonio law office today for a free consultation.
