A motorcycle crash took the life of 21-year-old, David Villa Arizola Jr., Saturday afternoon. The tragic one-vehicle crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. at the 1100 block of the Lloyd Ruby Overpass. Arizola’s motorcycle somehow crashed and ejected him over the guard rail. There is no word on whether or not Arizola was wearing protective gear such as a helmet or jacket. Law enforcement officials have not released any information on how this tragic crash occurred.
Motorcyclists are at a greater danger for serious injury and death than automobile drivers. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that 87 percent of motorcycle crashes kill or injure the rider. In addition, motorcyclists are five times more likely to be injured in a crash and 25 times more likely to die in a crash. Even with a helmet and protective jacket, motorcycles do not have the safety features of an automobile. There are no airbags on a motorcycle. Sadly, this recent crash isn’t out of the ordinary. A local 17-year-old was left partially paralyzed after being struck in a hit and run collision, last November.
“Seeing them is saving them” was last year’s Look Twice for Motorcycles campaign theme. The Texas Department of Transportation is quick to point out that in most motorcycle crashes the other driver is often at fault. Unfortunately, many collisions happen when drivers fail to pay attention to motorcyclists on the road. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, motorcyclist deaths accounted for 16 percent of all motor vehicle deaths in Texas, in 2011. 470 motorcyclists were killed with an additional 5,770 being seriously injured. Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 4,462 motorcyclists were killed in 2009 with an additional 90,000 sustaining injuries. An experienced wrongful death attorney in Wichita Falls can help families who have lost loved ones in motorcycle crashes.
There is no word yet on why Arizola’s motorcycle crashed. Could there have been an issue with the roadway, like a pothole or debris? Was somebody’s negligent or unsafe driving responsible for the crash? Sergeant Spraggins, with the Wichita Falls Police Department, stated that there would be an in-depth investigation to determine how the motorcycle crashed. This tragic crash reminds citizens of the dangers that motorcyclists face on a daily basis. Following a motorcycle death, families should contact an experienced, Wichita Falls, wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. The team at Altman Legal Group sends their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.