The freedom of riding a motorcycle through Texas comes with sobering risks. In 2024 alone, 581 motorcyclists lost their lives on Texas roads, with more than 2,530 suffering serious injuries. Busy intersections, high-speed interstates, and dense urban traffic create constant hazards for riders who face threats at every merge and turn.
When a motorcycle accident occurs, the consequences are often catastrophic. Unlike drivers protected by steel frames and airbags, motorcyclists are exposed to the full force of impact. What might be a fender bender for a car can become a life-changing tragedy for a rider.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, finding an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer near me should be your first priority. Understanding your legal rights isn’t just important — it’s essential to your recovery. In this article, the exerienced personal injury lawyers at Varghese Summersett explain Texas motorcycle laws, the most common accidents and what you should do if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident.
The Alarming Reality of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas
Texas consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for motorcyclists in America. The numbers paint a stark picture of the risks riders face every time they start their engines.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, at least one motorcyclist dies every single day on Texas roads—a tragic streak that has continued for more than two decades. In 2023, Texas recorded 599 motorcycle fatalities and 2,483 serious injuries. The trend is moving in the wrong direction: motorcycle deaths increased by 7% from 2022 to 2023, while fatal intersection crashes jumped by a staggering 21%.
Intersections pose the greatest threat to motorcyclists. More than 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes in Texas occur at intersections, primarily when drivers making left turns fail to see oncoming motorcycles or misjudge their speed. These T-bone collisions often result in the most severe injuries or death.
Understanding Texas Motorcycle Laws
Texas law establishes specific requirements for motorcycle operation, and understanding these regulations is crucial for both safety and legal protection after an accident.
Helmet Requirements Under Texas Law
Texas Transportation Code Section 661.003 requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear protective headgear that meets Department of Public Safety safety standards. However, the law provides exemptions for riders who meet specific criteria.
Riders 21 years of age or older may ride without a helmet if they satisfy one of two conditions: they have successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety, or they are covered by a health insurance plan that provides at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident.
Critically, under Section 661.003(c-1), peace officers cannot stop or detain a motorcyclist solely to determine whether they qualify for the helmet exemption. However, if stopped for another reason, officers may request proof of the safety course completion or insurance coverage.
Despite the legal exemptions, the safety data is unequivocal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets reduce the risk of death by 37 % and brain injuries by 69 %. In Texas, 37 % of motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2024 were not wearing helmets.
Insurance Requirements
Texas law mandates minimum liability insurance coverage for all motor vehicles, including motorcycles. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 601.072, motorcycle operators must maintain at least:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
These minimums often prove woefully inadequate to cover the true costs of serious motorcycle accident injuries, which frequently result in six or seven-figure medical expenses.
Lane Splitting Is Illegal in Texas
Unlike California, Texas law prohibits lane splitting — the practice of riding between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Motorcyclists who engage in lane splitting not only face traffic citations but also jeopardize their injury claims. Insurance companies will use evidence of lane splitting to argue comparative fault and reduce compensation, even when another driver caused the primary collision.
Other Important Regulations
Texas requires motorcycles manufactured after 1975 to operate with headlights on at all times, even during daylight hours, per Section 547.801(d) of the Transportation Code. All motorcycles must display valid license plates, current registration, and proof of insurance. Passengers must be seated on permanent seats with available footrests and handholds. Children under five cannot ride as passengers except in sidecars.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Cause Such Devastating Injuries
The physics of motorcycle crashes explain why injuries are so severe. Motorcycles lack the protective structures that make car accidents survivable: no seatbelts, no airbags, no crumple zones, and no steel cage surrounding the occupant.
When a collision occurs, riders are often ejected from their bikes and thrown into oncoming traffic, roadway surfaces, or fixed objects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that for every mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 24 times more likely to die than people in cars.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even with helmets, the force of impact can cause concussions, contusions, skull fractures, and diffuse axonal injury. Severe TBIs result in permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and the need for lifelong care.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring extensive rehabilitation and adaptive equipment. These injuries fundamentally alter every aspect of a victim’s life.
- Road Rash and Avulsion Injuries: When riders slide across pavement, skin, tissue, and muscle are scraped away, exposing nerves and bone. Severe road rash requires multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and leaves permanent scarring while carrying serious infection risks.
- Broken Bones and Crush Injuries: Fractures to legs, arms, ribs, and pelvis are common. Compound fractures may require surgical intervention with pins, plates, and rods. Some victims never regain full function.
- Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, ruptured organs, and life-threatening injuries that may not be immediately apparent at the accident scene.
The medical costs for these injuries quickly escalate into hundreds of thousands of dollars, creating financial devastation for victims and their families.
The Leading Causes of Texas Motorcycle Accidents
Understanding why motorcycle accidents occur is essential for establishing liability and securing compensation. Driver negligence remains the primary cause of crashes that injure motorcyclists.
Left-Turn Collisions
The most common and deadly scenario involves drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles. Drivers misjudge the motorcycle’s speed and distance, believing they have time to complete the turn. The resulting T-bone collision often proves fatal. Accident reconstruction experts identify a phenomenon called “looked but failed to see,” where drivers look directly at motorcycles but their brains fail to register the smaller vehicle as a threat.
Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
At intersections, drivers frequently fail to yield to motorcyclists who have the legal right-of-way. This violation represents a breach of duty under Texas negligence law and establishes clear liability when it causes crashes.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Motorcycles’ smaller profile makes them easier to miss in blind spots. When drivers change lanes without checking thoroughly, they can sideswipe riders or force them off the road.
Distracted Driving
Texting, eating, adjusting navigation systems, or other distractions reduce drivers’ reaction time and awareness. Given that motorcycles require more attention to spot, distracted drivers pose an extreme hazard to riders.
Following Too Closely
Motorcyclists can slow down by downshifting without activating brake lights. Drivers following too closely may not realize the motorcycle is decelerating until a collision is unavoidable.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs dramatically impair judgment, reaction time, and awareness. In fatal motorcycle crashes in Texas, approximately 45% of drivers were under the influence of alcohol.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, oil spills, and debris pose far greater threats to motorcycles than to cars. What a car easily absorbs can throw a motorcyclist from their bike. When road hazards cause crashes, governmental entities responsible for road maintenance may share liability.
What to Do Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident in Texas
The actions you take in the hours and days following a crash can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation.
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage may not produce immediate symptoms. A medical evaluation creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident.
- Call the Police: Ensure law enforcement responds to the scene and files an official accident report. This report provides crucial evidence about how the crash occurred and may identify witnesses.
- Document Everything: If physically able, photograph the accident scene from multiple angles. Capture vehicle positions, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, visible injuries, and property damage. Take photos of your motorcycle and the other vehicle(s) involved.
- Identify Witnesses: Get names and contact information from anyone who saw the accident. Witness testimony can prove decisive when insurance companies dispute fault.
- Exchange Information: Obtain the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information. Do not discuss fault or apologize, as these statements can be used against you.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep your damaged helmet, riding gear, and any other equipment. Do not repair or dispose of your motorcycle until your attorney advises you to do so.
- Contact a Local Motorcycle Lawyer: Before speaking with insurance adjusters, consult with an experienced motorcycle lawyer near me who understands Texas law and local Fort Worth courts. Having legal representation from the start protects your rights and prevents costly mistakes.
- Do Not Give Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters will contact you quickly, often within hours. They seem friendly and helpful but are trained to elicit statements that minimize your claim. Politely decline to give recorded statements until you’ve consulted with an attorney.
- Avoid Social Media: Do not post about the accident, your injuries, or your activities on social media. Insurance companies monitor accounts and will use photos or posts to argue your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed.
Understanding Texas Comparative Fault Law
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. This law allows injured parties to recover damages even if they share some fault for the accident, but with critical limitations.
If you are found 50% or less responsible for the accident, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards $100,000 in damages and finds you 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000.
However, if you are found 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing — even if you suffered catastrophic injuries.
Insurance companies exploit this rule by aggressively attempting to shift blame onto motorcyclists. They rely on common stereotypes portraying riders as reckless risk-takers. Their attorneys will scrutinize every detail: Were you speeding, even slightly? Were you wearing a helmet? Did you have proper riding gear? Any perceived violation, no matter how minor, becomes ammunition to increase your fault percentage.
This makes legal representation essential. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to counter these tactics, gather evidence proving the other driver’s negligence, and protect your right to full compensation.
Types of Compensation Available in Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Cases
Texas law allows motorcycle accident victims to pursue several categories of damages when another party’s negligence causes injury.
Economic Damages
These are tangible financial losses with specific dollar amounts:
- Medical Expenses: All past and future medical costs related to the accident, including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and long-term care needs.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost while recovering from injuries, including sick days, vacation time used, and any reduced earning capacity.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or reduce your ability to earn income, you can recover the difference between your pre-accident and post-accident earning potential.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle and any other damaged personal property, including riding gear, helmets, and accessories.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages compensate for subjective losses that don’t have specific price tags:
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain endured from injuries, including ongoing chronic pain.
- Mental Anguish: Psychological trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress resulting from the accident and injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the accident.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent physical changes to your appearance, particularly when visible scars affect quality of life and self-esteem.
- Loss of Consortium: Spouses may recover damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and marital relations caused by the injuries.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct — such as drunk driving or extreme recklessness — Texas law permits punitive damages under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.003. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct, though they’re capped at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus non-economic damages up to $750,000.
Finding a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me
When you search for “motorcycle lawyer near me” after an accident, you’re not just looking for any attorney — you need someone who understands the unique challenges Fort Worth motorcyclists face and has deep knowledge of local courts, judges, and insurance practices.
Why Local Representation Matters
Choosing a motorcycle lawyer near me in Fort Worth offers distinct advantages that out-of-town attorneys cannot match:
Knowledge of Local Roads and Accident Patterns: Fort Worth motorcycle lawyers understand the specific hazards of Interstate 35W, Loop 820, and other local corridors where crashes frequently occur. This familiarity helps build stronger cases by identifying dangerous road conditions and traffic patterns that contributed to your accident.
Relationships with Local Medical Providers: Established Fort Worth motorcycle lawyers maintain networks of trusted medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and rehabilitation facilities throughout the area. These connections ensure you receive proper treatment while building the medical documentation necessary for your claim.
Experience in Tarrant County Courts: If your case goes to trial, having a motorcycle lawyer near me who regularly practices in Tarrant County courts provides a significant advantage. Your attorney will understand local court procedures, know the judges’ preferences, and have relationships with court staff that facilitate efficient case handling.
Accessibility and Personal Attention: Working with a local Fort Worth motorcycle lawyer means you can meet face-to-face when needed, your attorney can visit accident scenes to gather evidence, and you receive personalized attention rather than being one of thousands of cases spread across multiple states.
Understanding of Fort Worth Insurance Practices: Local motorcycle lawyers know which insurance companies operate in the Fort Worth area, their typical settlement strategies, and how aggressively they fight claims. This knowledge helps your attorney develop effective negotiation strategies.
What to Look for When Searching “Motorcycle Lawyer Near Me”
Not all personal injury attorneys have the specific experience needed for motorcycle accident cases. When evaluating your options, prioritize these factors:
Specialized Motorcycle Accident Experience: Your lawyer should have a documented history of handling motorcycle crash cases specifically, not just general personal injury work. Motorcycle accidents involve unique legal issues, technical knowledge about bike mechanics, and specific challenges in overcoming anti-rider bias.
Proven Track Record of Results: Look for attorneys who have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for motorcycle accident victims. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they demonstrate the lawyer’s ability to maximize compensation.
Trial-Ready Representation: While most cases settle out of court, insurance companies only offer fair settlements when they know your attorney is prepared and willing to go to trial. Your motorcycle lawyer near me should have actual trial experience and a reputation for not backing down.
Resources for Comprehensive Investigation: Quality motorcycle accident representation requires working with accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, economists to calculate future losses, and investigators to gather evidence. Ensure your attorney’s firm has the financial resources and professional relationships to build a compelling case.
Clear Communication: Your attorney should explain complex legal concepts in plain language, keep you informed about case developments, and be accessible when you have questions or concerns.
Questions to Ask During Your Free Consultation
When meeting with a potential motorcycle lawyer near me, come prepared with questions that help you evaluate their qualifications:
- How familiar are you with the Fort Worth courts and local judges?
- What is your approach to dealing with insurance companies?
- Who will actually handle my case day-to-day?
- How do you communicate with clients throughout the case?
- What is your fee structure, and what costs can I expect?
A confident, experienced motorcycle lawyer will answer these questions directly and provide specific examples demonstrating their expertise.
Why You Need an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The insurance company has one goal: paying you as little as possible. Adjusters may seem sympathetic, but they work for corporations focused on protecting profits, not protecting injury victims.
Insurance companies employ sophisticated tactics to minimize claims:
Quick Lowball Settlements: Shortly after the accident, before you understand the full extent of your injuries, adjusters offer fast settlements that seem generous but fall far short of covering long-term costs.
Blame Shifting: Adjusters will scrutinize every detail to assign fault to you, using Texas’s comparative negligence law to reduce your compensation or deny your claim entirely.
Delayed Tactics: When low offers don’t work, insurance companies delay the process, hoping financial pressure will force you to accept inadequate settlements.
Surveillance and Social Media Monitoring: Adjusters may hire investigators to surveil you or scour your social media looking for anything that contradicts your injury claims.
An experienced motorcycle lawyer near me levels the playing field. Your lawyer will:
Investigate the Accident Thoroughly: Attorneys work with accident reconstruction experts, review police reports, interview witnesses, and gather all available evidence proving the other driver’s fault.
Document Your Damages Completely: Lawyers ensure all medical treatment is documented, work with medical experts to establish the full extent of injuries and future care needs, and calculate the true value of your claim.
Handle All Communication: Your attorney becomes your voice, protecting you from insurance company tricks and preventing you from making statements that harm your case.
Negotiate Aggressively: Experienced lawyers know how to counter lowball offers and negotiate settlements that reflect the full value of your damages.
Take Your Case to Trial: When insurance companies refuse reasonable settlements, your attorney will file a lawsuit and take your case before a jury.
Work on Contingency: Most motorcycle accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up-front and the attorney only gets paid if you recover compensation.
Time Is Critical: Texas Statute of Limitations
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation forever, regardless of how severe your injuries or how clear the other driver’s fault.
Certain exceptions can shorten or extend this deadline. If the at-fault party is a government entity, you may need to file an administrative claim within six months. If the injured party is a minor, the clock may not start until they turn 18.
Evidence also disappears over time. Surveillance footage gets recorded over, witnesses’ memories fade, and physical evidence from the accident scene vanishes. The sooner you contact a motorcycle lawyer near me, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Varghese Summersett: Your Motorcycle Accident Legal Team
A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re enjoying the ride; the next, you’re facing catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. When another driver’s negligence causes your crash, you shouldn’t have to face these challenges alone.
When Fort Worth riders search for “motorcycle lawyer near me,” they find Varghese Summersett — a firm with deep roots in the local community and a proven track record of results. Our attorneys understand what motorcyclists face after serious accidents because we’ve successfully represented countless riders throughout Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and across Texas.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett?
Local Fort Worth Presence: With offices conveniently located throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, we’re not just near you — we’re part of your community. Our attorneys know Fort Worth’s roads, courts, and insurance landscape intimately.
Proven Results: We’ve built a reputation throughout Texas for aggressive, effective representation that gets results. Our firm has recovered millions in compensation for accident victims and maintains over 1,200 five-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Trial-Ready Representation: Insurance companies know we’re prepared to take cases to trial and win. This reputation helps us negotiate better settlements because insurers understand we won’t back down.
No Upfront Costs: We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Personal Attention: You’re not a case number at Varghese Summersett. We take time to understand your unique situation, explain your options clearly, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve — Contact a Local Fort Worth Motorcycle Lawyer Today
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during your most vulnerable time. The two-year statute of limitations is already counting down, and critical evidence is disappearing with each passing day.
You can reach our Fort Worth office by phone or through our website to schedule your consultation. We’re available to meet at our office, or if your injuries prevent travel, we can arrange to come to you.
When you’re up against powerful insurance companies, you need experienced trial lawyers who aren’t afraid to fight. You need a local motorcycle lawyer who knows Fort Worth, understands the challenges you face, and has the skills to win.
You need Varghese Summersett — your Fort Worth motorcycle accident legal team, ready to fight for your rights and your recovery. Call 817-203-2220 today.
