What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Texas?

By Laura Sharp

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Motorcycle Accidents

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Last Modified on Nov 11, 2025

Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous kinds of traffic crashes, and riders who are injured often suffer life-altering consequences. You may be asking, “What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Texas?” The answer depends on the crash dynamics, the impact speed, and the collision type, but some types of injuries are common throughout the state. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, consulting a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.

Motorcycle Accident Laws in Texas

Motorcycle accident laws in Texas require that riders abide by certain rules, such as helmet laws and other safety standards, before an accident. Riders and passengers under the age threshold or who do not have proper insurance coverage may be required to wear a helmet. Texas also uses a modified comparative negligence standard, which can reduce the compensation you receive if you were partly to blame for the crash.

The year 2023 saw 600 motorcycle riders lose their lives, while 2,500 others sustained serious injuries. Motorcycles made up only 3% of total registered vehicles in the U.S. as of 2022, according to the National Safety Council, but they played a role in 15% of traffic accident-related deaths.

Head and Brain Injuries

Head injuries are some of the most severe injuries that can result from a motorcycle crash, even when a helmet is worn. A blow to the head can cause concussions, skull fractures, or even traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Head and brain injuries can affect memory, balance, cause headaches, or lead to other long-term cognitive issues.

Back Injuries

Spinal injuries occur frequently when motorcycles collide with objects or vehicles. Some riders suffer herniated discs, while others experience far more serious spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or full paralysis. Even back injuries that do not cause paralysis can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and long-term physical disabilities.

The spine’s vulnerability to damage during falls or impacts results in these injuries requiring extensive medical intervention or surgical procedures. Many riders who suffer spinal cord injuries have a difficult time returning to work or carrying out daily activities, so appropriate compensation is crucial to the recovery process.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are some of the most common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents since the rider has little physical protection. During a crash, arms, legs, ribs, and wrists prove to be highly susceptible areas that experience the most damage.

While some fractures are simple and heal with time, others are complex and involve multiple breaks or the need for surgical plates or screws. When a motorcycle topples over during an accident or rolls onto a rider, leg fractures often occur.

Road Rash

Road rash might not sound serious, but it can be both extremely painful and medically significant. The soft skin scraping across the pavement can result in layers of tissue being removed from the body, which can cause infection, nerve damage, and scarring. In some severe cases, road rash requires skin grafts or specific wound care.

Psychological Injuries

Riders who experience motorcycle accidents often suffer emotional and psychological injuries as part of their traumatic experience. Riders may experience emotional distress, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder following an accident. They may have trouble getting back on a motorcycle or experience panic symptoms while riding. Psychological injuries create substantial disruptions in daily life and produce effects that parallel those of physical injuries.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle accident can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds, but having an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in your corner can make a major difference in your recovery. A Texas personal injury lawyer can gather evidence and other proof of your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, calculate long-term damages, and protect you from common tactics that are designed to minimize the amount of money you are owed.

About The Sharp Firm

At The Sharp Firm, we are a husband and wife legal team with more than 30 years of litigation and appellate experience. We are a smaller Texas law firm by design, which means we can give each client our full attention from their first consultation through every stage of their claim. We believe in hands-on guidance, clear communication, and aggressive legal strategy to help injured motorcycle riders get the justice they deserve.

FAQs

What Is the Most Common Injury in a Motorcycle Crash?

One of the most common injuries in motorcycle crashes is head injuries. These types of injuries can happen to riders even if they were wearing a helmet. Injuries to extremities are also common. This includes fractures or significant soft-tissue damage to arms and legs. With little or no protection, the legs can hit the ground or become pinned under the motorcycle.

What Kills Motorcyclists the Most?

The number one cause of fatal motorcycle accidents is severe head or chest trauma from a high-speed impact with another vehicle or fixed object. Even with a helmet and protective gear, there is a limit to how much impact a human body can sustain. Speeding, distracted drivers, and visibility are other factors that can be responsible for a rider’s death. For this reason, safety awareness and defensive riding can be the most important tools in avoiding deadly motorcycle crashes.

Where Do 70% of Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Close to 70% of motorcycle accidents occur in high traffic flow areas, such as urban settings. Intersections, multilane roadways, and other areas with frequent stopping and starting present many opportunities for crashes.

This is often due to drivers not seeing motorcycles or misjudging their speed or distance. The increased interaction in these areas also leads to more sudden turns, lane changes, and other evasive actions that can result in an accident.

What’s the Average Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident?

There is no average settlement for a motorcycle accident because each accident is unique, involving different injuries, financial losses, and lasting effects. Compensation is based on medical treatment needed, time away from work, extent of pain and suffering, and how the crash affects day-to-day life. More severe injuries may result in more extensive negotiations. A lawyer can assess all of the damages to help you seek a fair outcome.

Contact The Sharp Firm

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, hire a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. The Sharp Firm can help.

Don’t wait to reach out. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Texas.