Miami, Texas, Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash on FM 283 in Roberts County

Texas Transportation Code Section 661.003 requires most motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective headgear that meets state safety standards while riding on a public street or highway. Riders 21 or older may be exempt if they completed an approved safety course or carry qualifying health insurance. Reports indicate Smith was not wearing a helmet when his motorcycle left FM 283, though investigators have not said whether that contributed to his death. Helmet use remains one of the most significant factors in surviving a motorcycle crash.

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 71.002 allows the surviving spouse, children, and parents of someone killed by another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or carelessness to bring a wrongful death claim. This statute applies when a crash, including a single-vehicle motorcycle wreck, results from negligence such as a roadway hazard or another driver’s conduct. Because the Roberts County crash remains under investigation, it is not yet known whether a third party’s negligence contributed to Smith’s death. Any such claim would need to be evaluated once investigators determine what caused the motorcycle to leave the road.