Statistics Show Motorcycle Accidents in Texas are Likely to Cause Serious Injuries

Most people who ride motorcycles in Texas enjoy the exhilaration and freedom of the open road, but they are not danger junkies. They don’t seek to put themselves in harm’s way. Unfortunately, though, harm often finds them regardless of their safety precautions.

Statistics show that riders in Texas are at a high risk of serious injury or death compared with others on the road. The injuries that commonly occur in motorcycle accidents can have life-changing consequences. When a motorcycle crash is caused by another driver’s negligence, the injured motorcyclist needs to understand how to recover compensation to cover the losses associated with their injuries. Knowing about the frequent injuries and dangers can help riders avoid unnecessary risks and support recovery.

The Numbers are Not Good

The National Safety Council reports that only 3% of registered vehicles on U.S. roads are motorcycles. And of all the miles traveled by vehicles, less than 1% are by motorcycle. Yet motorcyclists account for more than 15% of all traffic accident fatalities. The vast majority of the time, operators involved in fatal collisions were not under the influence of alcohol. Instead, another driver’s negligence is often the cause of the collision.

The Texas Department of Transportation reports that in our state, 9 motorcyclists die on average every single week, all year long. While fatalities in motorcycle accidents had been decreasing, the trend shifted in recent years, and deadly accidents are on the rise. Notably, accidents occurring at intersections showed a marked increase in fatalities. 

Motorcyclists and those operating other vehicles need to exercise added caution at every intersection to reduce the risk of harm. Left turns can be particularly hazardous. Drivers often have difficulty judging the speed of motorcycles and think they have time to turn before a motorcycle reaches the intersection, only to end up turning directly into the motorcycle. This can send a motorcyclist flying 20 or more yards through the air, leading to devastating injuries. Records from the Texas Department of Transportation show that in 2024, more than 2,500 motorcyclists in Texas suffered serious injuries in motorcycle crashes, while an additional 3,400 suffered injuries classified as less serious. Motorcycle accidents with no injuries were reported 1,341 times, but there were accidents with injuries or deaths reported 9,720 times.

It’s clear that if you’re involved in a motorcycle collision, you stand a good chance of being hurt, much more so than if you were in a collision in an enclosed vehicle like a car. And very often, those injuries are extremely serious.

Injuries That Frequently Occur in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles travel on the same roads and at the same speeds as much larger vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses. Yet unlike the drivers and passengers in those vehicles, motorcyclists lack the protection of a metal frame. They are also balancing on two wheels instead of being supported by four wheels on the ground. This makes the motorcycle vulnerable to tipping and skidding, and anyone on the bike can be thrown or crushed to the pavement with deadly force.

Although it may be most common for motorcycle riders to suffer injuries to their legs and arms, many of the most severe injuries involve damage to other parts of the body. Blunt force trauma to a rider’s chest frequently causes damage to vital organs such as the lungs and heart, and also leads to internal bleeding. For instance, it is common for a rider’s broken ribs to puncture a lung or damage the kidney, liver, or spleen. Or trauma to the torso can cause a tear in the aorta, which often proves fatal.

Serious injuries to the head, neck, and face are also a frequent result of motorcycle accidents. Traumatic brain injuries impair the ability to process information. They can prevent an accident victim from concentrating, speaking, reading, reasoning, or remembering information. They can even change a victim’s personality, leading to constant anger and anxiety.

Broken bones in the face often lead to permanent pain and disfigurement. Damage to the nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the neck can make it difficult to control head movement, and severe nerve damage can lead to total paralysis. These injuries sometimes heal over time, but often, the damage is permanent.

Nerve injuries in the neck can also lead to long-term pain that radiates throughout the body. When damage occurs to nerves lower on the spine, it can lead to partial paralysis, incontinence, respiratory problems, and sexual dysfunction.

When motorcyclists suffer these types of injuries, their lives are never the same. They lose the ability to enjoy the activities that once defined their lives. They suffer unimaginable pain and mental anguish. They often lose the ability to support themselves and their families. And their injuries often require multiple surgeries and costly care that may last for years.

Compensation from a personal injury lawsuit will not reverse the damage or erase the pain, but it can provide resources to cover the medical needs and support the family.

DeKeyzer Law Helps Motorcycle Accident Victims Recover Compensation for the Future

At DeKeyzer Law, we’ve seen the devastating injuries that so often occur in motorcycle accidents, even when a biker is cautious and careful. The right preparation, such as leather protective clothing and an approved helmet, can only go so far to safeguard a biker in the face of obvious dangers on the road.

When another motorist’s negligence causes a motorcycle accident, we know how to fight effectively for maximum compensation for accident victims. For a free consultation to find out about the damages that may be available in your situation and how we can assist in obtaining the resources you need, call us at 713-904-4004 or contact us online today.