Trike motorcyclist killed in crash near Harlingen
by Benjamin Treviño | October 19th, 2023 | Fatal Crash, Motorcyclist Accident
HARLINGEN – One man is dead following a trike, or three-wheeler, motorcycle crash near Harlingen. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the single-vehicle crash happened October 15 at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Business Highway 83 west of Bass Boulevard.
A DPS news release identified the victim as 83-year-old Loyal Clark Temple of La Feria. The release stated that Temple was traveling east on a white, 2006 Honda tri-motorcycle when he veered off the road “for unknown reasons.”
The trike continued on a straight-line path through a parking lot before striking a tree, according to the report. A Justice of the Peace pronounced Temple dead at the scene.
DPS continues to investigate the crash.
Is a trike motorcycle safer than a traditional motorcycle?
The short answer is both “yes” and “no.”
Trikes do seem to provide greater visibility to other drivers on the road. Research shows that automobile drivers are generally looking for other cars and trucks, and tend to “overlook” motorcyclists. Most motorcycle accidents occur when motorists either did not see the motorcyclist, or they did not bother to look, or they looked too quickly.
Three-wheel motorcycles, because of their unique design and bigger footprint on the road, tend to “turn heads,” which results in increased visibility.
Having three wheels instead of only two also make trikes more stable than standard motorcycles. This virtually eliminates the possibility of laying a trike on its side. Laying down a motorcycle is always a possibility and can be caused by a number of factors such as oil slicks, potholes, or having to turn quickly and unexpectedly.
Even so, trikes do not offer the safety features that motorists enjoy in most automobiles. Trike operators are not inside an enclosed metal body frame, and there are no seat belts and airbags. Trikes can also give the operator a false sense of security, which can lead to complacency.
Trikes also handle much differently than a motorcycle, and some motorcycle riders think they can make the transition to a trike without additional training. This simply isn’t the case, and can be another source of an unexpected crash.
J. Gonzalez Experience
J. Gonzalez is an avid motorcyclist of many, many years. First and foremost, he recommends all motor trike and motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, wear safety clothing, and take a course on motor trike (or motorcycle) safety and operation. You would be surprised how much you can learn in a course with professional instructors.
Secondly, if you are involved in a motor trike or motorcycle accident that was not your fault, call the J. Gonzalez Law Firm for the most-professional and experiences legal representation. J. Gonzalez and his team of expert personal injury attorneys will get you the compensation you deserve, and hopefully get you back out on the open road as soon as possible. Call 1-800-CAR-CRASH today!
