According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 7,481 motorcycle crashes in occurred in Texas in 2020, with 1,856 motorcyclists seriously injured and 482 killed. This statistic is startling and incredibly sad because motorcycle riding is a joy for so many people. However, a bike’s general lack of protection makes riders prone to serious injuries in accidents, especially with four-wheel vehicles. These crashes can result in debilitating injuries such as broken bones, road rash, brain injuries, and paralysis. If you or someone you love is an avid motorcycle rider, use the following tips to stay safe and avoid injury on Texas roads. Get that gear on. One of the many reasons people love to ride motorcycles is it feels exhilarating to be out in the open, and riders look cool doing it. However, as much as you want to wear shorts and a T-shirt on your bike, always make sure to opt for pants and long-sleeve tops made of leather or reinforced fabric. On top of that, you should always wear a helmet, and if your helmet is open-faced, glasses or goggles are a must. Don’t push it. Just because you ride a motorcycle doesn’t mean you’re Evel Knievel. Know your limits on your bike, and don’t push them. This means that the bike you ride shouldn’t just look cool — it should fit your body and build. Your feet should always be able to rest flat on the ground when seated (tiptoes do not count!). Handlebars should be easy to reach, and your bike shouldn’t feel like it will tip you over. Also, don’t go over the speed limit, especially on roads you’re unfamiliar with. Even if you’re riding with others who want to go faster, stick to what you know and what feels right. 2 FINGERS DOWN: KEEP BOTH WHEELS ON THE GROUND Tips to Stay Safe on a Motorcycle
WHEN DID FANTASY SPORTS BECOME SO POPULAR?
A GAME WITH 60 YEARS OF PROGRESS
Fantasy sports continue to grow in popularity every year. It’s rare to meet someone who has never heard of or played in a fantasy sports league. For those unfamiliar, fantasy sports are games where participants build imaginary teams using real-life players. Scores are generated on individual performances from players on your team, so if Tom Brady is on your fantasy team and throws a touchdown in real life, your team also earns points. While it might seem like fantasy sports are a product of the internet, their history actually spans over five decades. Fantasy sports began in 1962 when Wilfred Winkenbach and other members of the Oakland Raiders organization created the initial rules for what would eventually develop into fantasy football. In 1963, the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League held the first fantasy football draft; George Blanda was the first pick. Six years later, the first public fantasy football league opened to Kings X Sports Bar patrons in Oakland. 1980 saw the beginning of fantasy baseball and the Rotisserie scoring system still used today in fantasy baseball, hockey, and basketball. The following year, the MLB went on strike, which caused many sports journalists to write about fantasy baseball in its place, catapulting its popularity. By 1989, over a million people were playing fantasy football. Then the internet became mainstream, allowing even more people to familiarize themselves with fantasy sports. Yahoo launched the first free-to-play fantasy sports platform in 1999, giving more people the opportunity to join a league and learn how to play. ESPN and other sites soon followed suit; by 2006, more than 12 million people were playing fantasy football. When Facebook and Twitter launched in the early 2000s, people had more platforms to share their opinions, which helped the industry grow. In 2009, FanDuel launched a pay-to-play daily fantasy sports platform that allowed fans to choose players for a specific day or game and place a bet on their lineup. Now, 59 million fantasy sports players participate across the globe, and that number continues to grow. The current global fantasy sports market is estimated to be worth around $22.3 billion and is predicted to rise to $38.6 billion by 2025. If you haven’t played fantasy sports before, now is the time to start. You may just discover a new favorite hobby.
Check the forecast. Before you leave for a ride, make sure the road conditions are right. While you may feel comfortable driving in a little rain or wind, other four-wheeled vehicles may not and can end up hitting you due to poor driving conditions.
A motorcycle wreck can leave a rider with serious injuries. Fortunately, the state of Texas allows injured riders to seek compensation from the party responsible, and an Aulsbrook Law attorney can help you do so in your case. Give a call at 817.775.5364 to schedule your FREE consultation.
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