4 Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Texas

Legally Reviewed by Dale R. Rose, J.D. on July 27, 2026

Motorcycle crashes in Texas most often trace back to a handful of recurring causes: drivers failing to see riders, hazardous weather, lane splitting, and drivers ignoring traffic signs and signals. Because a motorcycle offers little more than a helmet and riding gear between a person and the pavement, even a low-speed collision can leave a rider with serious, life-altering injuries. Understanding how and why these crashes happen is often the first step toward building a strong claim after one occurs.

At Dale R. Rose, PLLC, we have represented injured motorcyclists throughout McKinney, Bonham, Fayetteville, and the surrounding Texas communities for nearly 33 years. Our founding attorney has built his practice on understanding exactly how these crashes unfold, because that knowledge is what allows us to hold a negligent driver accountable and pursue the compensation a client may be owed.

The 4 Common Causes of Texas Motorcycle Crashes

Texas is home to some of the busiest highways in the country, and its year-round riding weather means motorcyclists share the road with cars and trucks in every season. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, nearly 600 motorcyclists were killed in Texas crashes in 2023 alone, with more than 2,400 additional riders seriously injured, and more than a third of those fatalities happened at or near an intersection. Even though the overall number of motorcycle crashes has declined over the past decade, these figures show how serious the risk remains. Motorcycles are smaller, harder to spot, and far less forgiving in a collision than a passenger vehicle. The following four factors are consistently among the top causes of motorcycle crashes on Texas roadways.

Failure to See the Motorcyclist

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 40 percent of two-vehicle motorcycle crashes happen when another driver turns left in front of an oncoming rider, often because the driver never saw the motorcycle at all. A motorcyclist going straight, passing, or overtaking another vehicle can be difficult to spot in these situations, since a narrow headlight draws far less attention than the wider profile of a car or truck.

Blind spots present a similar danger. A motorcycle’s narrow profile means it can disappear entirely inside a driver’s blind spot, particularly on multi-lane highways where vehicles change lanes frequently. Our tips for avoiding blind spot collisions outline a few practical habits that can reduce this risk, though the responsibility to check mirrors before changing lanes ultimately falls on every driver on the road.

Dangerous Weather Conditions

Texas weather can shift quickly, and sudden rain, high winds, or standing water can turn a routine ride into a hazardous one. Because a motorcycle relies on two narrow contact points with the pavement rather than four, slick roads reduce traction far more dramatically for a rider than for someone in an enclosed vehicle. Wet pavement, oil left behind by other vehicles, and debris kicked up during storms can all cause a motorcyclist to lose control, even at moderate speeds. Riders caught off guard by a sudden downpour or a crosswind on an overpass face a much higher risk of a single-vehicle crash or a collision with a driver struggling with the same conditions.

Lane Splitting

Lane splitting, riding along the line that divides two lanes of traffic, is sometimes used by motorcyclists hoping to save time in slow-moving or stopped traffic. The maneuver puts a rider in close proximity to vehicles on both sides, and a driver who does not expect a motorcycle to appear between lanes may drift, open a door, or change lanes without warning. Texas law does not explicitly ban lane splitting by name, but the Texas Transportation Code requires that drivers remain within a single marked lane whenever practicable, which courts have generally interpreted to make lane splitting illegal in the state.

Failure to Obey Traffic Signs and Signals

Traffic signs, signals, and lane markings exist to keep every driver, and every motorcyclist, moving predictably through an intersection. When a driver runs a red light, rolls through a stop sign, or makes an illegal turn from the wrong lane, a motorcyclist often has little time and even less protection to avoid the resulting collision. These violations are also some of the clearest evidence of fault after a crash, which is one reason determining who is responsible for a motorcycle accident often starts with a careful review of the traffic laws in effect at the time.

Other Factors That Contribute to Motorcycle Crashes in Texas

Beyond the four causes above, several other factors regularly show up in Texas motorcycle crash reports. Speeding and aggressive driving remain leading contributors to serious and fatal crashes of every kind, and a motorcyclist has far less margin for error when a car or truck is traveling too fast to stop or react in time. Many of these same behaviors also rank among the most common causes of car accidents throughout Texas, though a rider faces a much greater risk of serious injury when they occur. Driver inexperience, both behind the wheel and on two wheels, also plays a role, since new riders may not yet have developed the reflexes needed to handle an emergency maneuver.

Road conditions themselves can also contribute to a crash. Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, and poorly designed intersections or on-ramps create hazards that a car may absorb without incident but that can throw a motorcyclist off balance entirely. Our overview of highway design flaws that contribute to North Texas motorcycle accidents looks at some of the roadway issues our firm has seen contribute to real crashes, from improper banking on curves to inadequate drainage on overpasses.

Common Injuries in Texas Motorcycle Crashes

A motorcycle provides almost none of the structural protection built into a car or truck, so the injuries that result from even a moderate-speed crash tend to be more severe than those from a comparable car accident. Riders and passengers commonly experience:

• Traumatic brain injuries, which can occur even when a rider is wearing a helmet, due to the rotational forces involved in a crash.
• Spinal cord injuries, ranging from herniated discs to paralysis, depending on the force and angle of impact.
• Road rash, caused by sliding across pavement, which can require skin grafts in severe cases.
• Broken bones and joint damage, particularly in the arms, legs, wrists, and collarbone.
• Internal organ damage, resulting from blunt force trauma to the torso.

These injuries often require extended medical treatment, physical therapy, and time away from work, all of which can factor into the compensation a rider may be entitled to pursue after a crash caused by another driver’s negligence.

Determining Fault After a Texas Motorcycle Crash

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, often called the 51 percent bar rule. Under this rule, an injured rider can recover compensation as long as they are found to be 50 percent or less at fault for the crash, though any award is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. If a rider is found more than 50 percent at fault, Texas law bars recovery entirely. This is one reason insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame onto the motorcyclist after a crash, since even a small increase in assigned fault can significantly reduce or eliminate a settlement.

Texas law also sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, an injured rider generally has two years from the date of the crash to file suit, though certain circumstances can affect this deadline. Missing it can permanently bar a claim, regardless of how clear the other driver’s fault may be. Because evidence like skid marks, traffic camera footage, and witness memories fade quickly, our guide on proving driver negligence after a North Texas motorcycle accident explains why acting quickly can make a meaningful difference in a case.

How We Can Help After a Texas Motorcycle Crash

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash because another driver failed to see you, misjudged the weather, or ignored a traffic signal, you do not have to sort out fault or deal with an insurance adjuster on your own. Our team investigates the scene, gathers police reports and witness statements, and works to identify every factor that contributed to your crash, whether that means driver error, a road hazard, or a combination of causes. You can read more about our firm’s history and approach to personal injury representation. Whether your crash happened while riding through Allen or anywhere else in North Texas, our Allen motorcycle accident attorney team can review the details of your case and help you understand your legal options.

Dale R. Rose has spent nearly 33 years as a licensed Texas attorney, has taken more than 165 cases to trial as first-chair counsel, and has practiced in 54 Texas counties since earning his law degree from Texas Tech School of Law in 1991. That level of trial experience means our firm prepares every motorcycle crash case as though it may go before a jury, even when a case ultimately settles.

If you or someone in your family was injured in a Texas motorcycle crash, the sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence and building your case. You do not have to face insurance negotiations on your own, and you do not owe us anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Reach out through our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Crashes in Texas