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(281) 587-1111
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June 14, 2025 by Greg Baumgartner
Motorcycle crashes remain a significant public safety concern throughout Texas. With thousands of riders injured or killed every year, understanding the scope of motorcycle accident statistics helps illustrate the dangers motorcyclists face and the urgent need for increased safety, legal awareness, and aggressive advocacy after a crash.
Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest number of motorcycle-related fatalities. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 500 motorcyclists are killed each year on Texas roads. In 2024, the state recorded over 585 motorcycle fatalities, representing nearly 15 percent of all motor vehicle deaths despite motorcycles accounting for a small percentage of vehicles on the road.
Many of these fatal accidents occur in urban areas like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, where traffic congestion, high speeds, and driver inattention increase crash risk. Intersections are especially dangerous, with nearly 30 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occurring at or near intersections.
In addition to fatalities, thousands more suffer life-altering injuries every year. TxDOT reported more than 2,300 suspected serious injury crashes involving motorcycles in 2023. Injuries commonly include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, internal bleeding, and severe road rash. These injuries often lead to long-term disability, significant medical costs, and lost earning capacity.
Unlike passenger vehicle occupants, motorcyclists lack the physical protection of a car. Without a steel frame, airbags, or seatbelts, riders are at a much greater risk of catastrophic injuries, even at relatively low speeds.
Helmet use plays a crucial role in preventing fatal head injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that helmets are 37 percent effective at preventing death in motorcycle crashes. In Texas, riders over 21 may ride without a helmet if they meet certain insurance and training requirements. However, non-helmeted riders are far more likely to suffer fatal head trauma.
According to the Texas DOT, in 2024, thirty-seven percent of Texas fatal motorcycle fatalities involved those not wearing a helmet. Increasing helmet usage could prevent dozens of deaths and hundreds of brain injuries each year.
Negligent or inattentive drivers often cause motorcycle accidents in Texas. The most common contributing factors include:
A frequent scenario involves drivers turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, failing to notice the rider, or misjudging their speed. These accidents often result in deadly T-bone or head-on collisions.
Motorcycle crashes in Texas occur more frequently during the warmer months. The highest crash volumes are seen between March and October when more motorcyclists are on the road. Weekends and evening hours—particularly Friday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.—see the most fatalities.
Urban highways, frontage roads, and arterial streets are especially hazardous. The following regions consistently report the highest number of motorcycle crashes:
These high-population areas combine traffic volume, higher speed limits, and driver congestion—all of which elevate crash risks for motorcyclists.
Driving under the influence remains a significant factor in fatal motorcycle crashes. In Texas, nearly one-third of motorcyclists killed in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit. Alcohol impairs balance, judgment, and reaction time—skills that are essential for safe motorcycle operation.
Similarly, impaired automobile drivers present a deadly threat to motorcyclists, as their diminished reaction time makes them less likely to spot or yield to bikes on the road.
Motorcycle crash victims are overwhelmingly male. In Texas, over 90 percent of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents are men. The highest risk group includes riders aged 25 to 44, although older riders over 50 now represent a growing percentage of serious injury and fatal crash victims.
Younger riders are more likely to engage in high-risk behavior, such as speeding or riding without a helmet. In comparison, older riders may experience slower reflexes and physical vulnerabilities that can contribute to increased injury severity in a crash.
Motorcycle accident victims often face severe financial burdens. Hospital bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and long-term care costs can easily exceed six or seven figures. When another driver’s negligence causes a crash, Texas law allows injured motorcyclists to pursue compensation for:
Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto the motorcyclist, using stereotypes or minor mistakes to reduce or deny compensation. The adjuster’s tactics underscore the importance of skilled legal representation following a serious crash.
TxDOT and various law enforcement agencies continue to invest in motorcycle safety campaigns across the state. The “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles“ campaign aims to increase driver awareness and reduce preventable collisions.
Safety training programs, such as the Texas Motorcycle Safety Course, are available for riders of all experience levels. Defensive riding tactics, situational awareness, and hazard recognition are key skills that can reduce the likelihood of a crash.
Motorcyclists in Texas face significant and growing dangers on public roads. While riding offers freedom and efficiency, the risk of serious injury or death in a crash remains disproportionately high. Enhanced enforcement increases public awareness, and better infrastructure can help reduce these dangers, but riders must also take proactive steps to protect themselves.
For those injured in a motorcycle crash, securing fair compensation and justice often requires immediate legal action. With the stakes so high, choosing a law firm with a proven track record in motorcycle injury litigation is critical.
We help motorcycle accident victims across Texas fight back, get answers, and recover the compensation they need after devastating crashes.
Contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Baumgartner Law Firm at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, TX, 77069
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Related Resources:
A Guide to Texas Motorcycle Laws
What is the Average Motorcycle Injury Settlement?
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Houston
Since establishing Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985, Greg Baumgartner has built a reputation as one of Houston’s leading personal injury attorneys, dedicated to representing severely injured victims and families who have lost loved ones due to negligence.
Greg holds two law degrees, a distinction earned by less than 1% of all attorneys, demonstrating his exceptional legal expertise. He is also a prestigious Trial Lawyers College graduate, further enhancing his skills in trial advocacy and litigation.
His relentless commitment to legal excellence and client advocacy has earned him recognition from prestigious organizations, including Super Lawyers, the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and many others.
With decades of experience, Greg has consistently received top peer reviews. He holds a preeminent rating, a testament to his unwavering dedication to securing justice and maximum compensation for his clients.
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