Tarrant County, TX — October 27, 2024, Jeffrey Trace was injured as the result of a motorcycle accident at around 12:45 a.m. along Nine Mile Bridge Road.

Authorities said in their preliminary statements that the accident happened near the intersection of Nine Mile Bridge Road and Highway 199 northwest of Fort Worth.

According to officials, 54-year-old Jeffrey Trace was on a Honda motorcycle going eastbound on Nine Mile Bridge Rd. The vehicle somehow ran off the left side of the road where it ultimately crashed into a fence. As a result, Trace was seriously injured.

Reports did not mention anyone else being involved in the accident. Right now, additional details about the accident are unconfirmed.

Commentary

One of my concerns with motorcycle wrecks is a lot of people are biased against riders. This sometimes leads to hasty, shallow investigations which can overlooked crucial details. If victims and families aren't proactive, they could end up getting an incomplete story that fails to fairly tell the victim's side of the story. It can be helpful, then, to consider some key questions.

The first question is whether authorities had the time, tools, and resources to thoroughly investigate the crash. Motorcycle accidents are often complex, and without proper attention, key evidence can be missed. Did investigators examine the scene for signs of road hazards, such as debris, potholes, or poorly marked turns? Were environmental factors like lighting, weather, or visibility considered? Without sufficient time and equipment, investigators may rush to conclusions or overlook important details, especially in cases where biases against motorcyclists might come into play.

The second question is whether a vehicle defect could have contributed to the crash. Motorcycles, like any vehicle, are susceptible to mechanical issues, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering failures, which can cause a rider to lose control. Safety features on the motorcycle may also fail to perform as designed. A forensic inspection of the motorcycle is crucial to determine if a defect played a role and to preserve any evidence that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Finally, was all electronic evidence collected and analyzed? While motorcycles don’t always have the same level of onboard data systems as cars, some models do store critical information, such as speed or braking inputs, which can help clarify what happened. Additionally, cellphone data, GPS records, or nearby surveillance footage might provide context, such as whether the rider swerved to avoid an obstacle or lost control due to road conditions. Securing this evidence quickly is vital to ensure nothing is lost.

If it seems like authorities are offering satisfactory answers, then they were likely able to conduct thorough investigations. If things don't add up, though, there may need to be a second look from independent investigations who can set bias aside and let the evidence speak for itself.