Texas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas

Texas roads present unique dangers for motorcyclists, with many crashes resulting from the negligence of other drivers. Understanding these common causes helps us build stronger cases for our clients while highlighting the vulnerability that riders face. Every motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas at our firm treats these factors as the starting point of an investigation, not the end of one:

• Driver inattention and failure to see motorcycles: Driver inattention remains one of the most common causes of Texas motorcycle crashes, which is why TxDOT runs its "Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles" campaign urging drivers to watch for riders at every intersection and lane change. Many drivers simply don't look for motorcycles or fail to properly judge their speed and distance. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas can subpoena phone records to prove distraction caused your crash.
• Failure to yield right of way: Failure to yield when making a left turn is one of the deadliest mistakes a driver can make. According to TxDOT, roughly 40% of Texas motorcycle fatalities in 2024 happened at or near an intersection, most often after a driver misjudged an oncoming rider's speed and turned directly into their path.
• Speeding and unsafe speed: Nationally, 37% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding, nearly double the rate for passenger car drivers, according to NHTSA. High-speed impacts dramatically increase injury severity for motorcyclists.
• Distracted driving: Texting, phone calls, and other distractions cause drivers to miss seeing motorcycles entirely, leading to devastating crashes.
• Lane-changing accidents: Drivers who fail to check blind spots or use turn signals properly often collide with motorcycles when changing lanes.
• Following too closely: Tailgating is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists who can stop more quickly than cars, leading to serious rear-end collisions.
• Impaired driving: Alcohol plays an outsized role in motorcycle deaths. NHTSA reports that in 2024, 26% of motorcycle riders killed nationwide had a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit, the highest rate of any vehicle type. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas can pursue punitive damages in these cases in addition to standard compensation.
• Weather and road conditions: Although rain accounts for only 2% of motorcycle fatalities, hazardous conditions can still contribute to accidents if drivers fail to adjust their driving accordingly.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries We Handle

Our experienced personal injury attorneys have handled virtually every type of motorcycle accident injury. From road rash to life-changing traumatic brain injuries, we understand the medical and legal challenges involved in motorcycle injury claims. Because riders have so little protection compared to someone inside a vehicle, the injuries a motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas sees on a regular basis tend to be more severe and more expensive to treat than a typical car accident injury:

• Traumatic brain injuries: TBI accounts for 54% of motorcycle fatalities and remains a serious concern even for helmeted riders. These serious injuries often require extensive medical treatment and can permanently impact a person's ability to work and enjoy life. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas works with neurologists and life-care planners to document the full, lifelong impact of a TBI.
• Spinal cord injuries: Motorcycle crashes can cause devastating spinal injuries that may result in partial or complete paralysis. With nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries stemming from motor vehicle accidents, these cases typically involve substantial medical bills and long-term care needs. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Texas accounts for decades of future care costs when valuing claims like these.
• Road rash: The most common form of motorcycle injury occurs when riders are thrown from their bikes and skid on pavement. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and lead to permanent scarring or nerve damage.
• Broken bones and fractures: Lower-extremity injuries are sustained by motorcycle riders more frequently than any other type of injury, with leg injuries and bone fractures being particularly common.
• Internal injuries: The force of a motorcycle accident can cause internal bleeding and organ damage that may not be immediately apparent. These injuries can be life-threatening and require prompt medical attention.
• Burns: When motorcycle fuel tanks spill during crashes, riders can suffer severe burns that often require skin grafts and extensive medical treatment.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears in muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common and can cause significant pain, swelling, and limited mobility, requiring ongoing medical care.

Damages You Can Recover in a Texas Motorcycle Accident Claim

A motorcycle accident caused by someone else's negligence can leave you facing medical bills, missed paychecks, and injuries that reshape daily life. Texas law lets you pursue compensation for all of it, sorted into three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and, when the driver's conduct was especially reckless, punitive damages. Here's how our personal injury lawyers build a claim across each one.

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses: This includes all costs related to your medical treatment, from emergency room visits to ongoing rehabilitation. We also consider future medical expenses that may be needed for your recovery, which can be substantial for serious motorcycle injuries.
• Lost wages: If your motorcycle accident injury prevents you from working, you can recover compensation for lost income. This includes both wages you've already lost and future earning capacity if your injuries cause permanent limitations. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Texas carefully calculate both categories so you don't get shortchanged.
• Rehabilitation costs: Many serious motorcycle injuries require extensive rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other specialized medical care that can continue for months or years.
• Property damage: Compensation for motorcycle repairs or replacement, as well as damage to safety gear and other personal property in the accident. Our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers in Texas make sure the damage to your bike and gear is both accounted for in the claim.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering: Motorcycle accidents often cause significant physical pain and emotional trauma. Texas law recognizes these non-economic damages as compensable losses, which can be substantial given the severity of motorcycle injuries.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving drunk drivers or other especially reckless conduct, Texas law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover punitive damages on top of their economic and non-economic losses, making these potentially very valuable claims.

Wrongful Death Claims

In cases involving fatal motorcycle accidents, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages.

Our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers in Texas will make sure none of these losses get left off the table when we calculate what your claim is really worth.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas

A motorcycle crash moves fast, and so does everything that follows it. What you do in the first hours and days can shape whether your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries or gets picked apart by an adjuster looking for reasons to pay less. Here's how riders can protect themselves:

Texas Motorcycle Accident Laws You Should Know

Understanding Texas motorcycle accident laws can help you protect your rights and make informed decisions about your case. Our personal injury attorneys stay current on relevant Texas laws and use our advanced knowledge and skill to provide exceptional representation.

• Modified comparative negligence: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, as long as you are 50% or less responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Helmet laws: Texas requires DOT-approved helmets for all riders under 21. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet if they have completed a motorcycle safety course or carry at least $10,000 in medical insurance. Not wearing a required helmet can affect your claim under comparative negligence rules.
• Statute of limitations: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it's important to contact our injury lawyers as soon as possible to ensure evidence is preserved and your rights are protected.
• Insurance requirements: Texas requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. However, many drivers carry only the minimum coverage, which may not be sufficient to cover serious motorcycle accident injuries.
• Lane splitting: Texas prohibits lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic), and violations can affect fault determination in accident cases.