Motorcycle accidents in San Antonio happen for many different reasons. Too often, another driver causes a crash simply because they weren’t paying attention or claimed they didn’t see the motorcycle.
At Tracey Fox & Walters, our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in San Antonio know these excuses don’t hold up in court. Every driver has a duty to watch for motorcyclists and share the road responsibly. When drivers fail in that duty and cause a motorcycle crash injury claim in Texas, they must be held accountable.
Our firm has decades of experience handling complex cases like yours. We understand the challenges bikers face both on the road and in the legal system and we’re proud to fight for injured riders and their families. When you need results, turn to the team that gets them. Contact our office today.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in San Antonio
Motorcycle accidents in San Antonio are often caused by negligent or reckless drivers, as well as hazardous road conditions. Some of the most frequent causes:
- Failure to Yield or Give Right-of-Way: Many accidents happen when drivers fail to yield to motorcyclists, especially at busy intersections and major thoroughfares like I-35, I-10, Loop1604, and US-281.
- Left-Hand Turns: Drivers making left turns into the path of oncoming motorcycles is a leading cause of collisions, often due to misjudging the rider’s speed or failing to see them.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time for both drivers and riders, increasing the risk of severe accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, adjusting radios, or other distractions can cause drivers to overlook motorcyclists, especially when changing lanes or at intersections.
- Drunk or Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction times, posing a significant risk to all road users, particularly motorcyclists.
- Aggressive or Reckless Driving: Tailgating, sudden lane changes without signaling, and weaving in and out of traffic endanger motorcyclists daily.
- Road Hazards: Debris, potholes, loose gravel, construction zones, and uneven surfaces can cause riders to lose control or crash.
- Vehicle Failure: Mechanical issues such as faulty brakes, tire punctures, or broken lights can also lead to accidents.
- Poor Visibility: Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see, especially at night or in bad weather, making it easier for drivers to overlook them.
- Failure to Maintain Safe Stopping Distance: Drivers who follow too closely or do not keep a safe distance put motorcyclists at risk every day.
If you were hurt in a San Antonio car vs. motorcycle crash, you deserve strong legal help from attorneys who know how to protect your rights and secure your compensation.
What Injuries Are Common in Motorcycle Crashes?
Motorcyclists often suffer serious or even fatal injuries due to the exposed nature of riding. Among the most severe are spinal injuries and head injuries, both of which can result in long-term disability or wrongful death. Some of the most common injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents:
- Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions, skull fractures, and facial trauma are frequent due to the lack of protection for the rider’s head.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These can lead to paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia) and permanent disability, especially if the impact is severe.
- Road Rash: Skin abrasions and lacerations occur when a rider is dragged across pavement, sometimes resulting in deep tissue damage and infection.
- Broken or Fractured Bones: Common fractures include arms, legs, wrists, ankles, ribs, collarbones, and pelvis, often requiring surgery and long-term recovery.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash, sprains, and strains are common, sometimes with delayed symptoms.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt-force trauma can damage organs such as the spleen, liver, or lungs, sometimes without immediate symptoms.
- Burns: Fuel spills or contact with hot engine parts can cause severe burns, sometimes requiring skin grafts.
- Muscle and Nerve Damage: “Biker’s Arm” (nerve damage from handlebar impact) and muscle injuries from road rash or impact are common.
- Abdominal Injuries: Blunt trauma can cause internal bleeding or organ damage, especially in older riders.
- Emotional Trauma: Victims often experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and lasting emotional distress after a serious crash.
Our attorneys work to make sure all aspects of your suffering are factored into your compensation for a motorcycle accident claim.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in San Antonio, Texas
- Ensure Your Safety and Move to a Safe Location: If possible, move yourself and your motorcycle away from traffic to prevent further injury or secondary accidents. Use hazard lights or flares if available, especially on busy roads like I-10, I-35, or Loop1604.
- Call the Police and Report the Crash: Texas law requires reporting any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. Request that law enforcement file an official accident report, which is crucial evidence for your claim.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, get evaluated by medical professionals right away. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms immediately.
- Document the Accident Scene: Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, property damage, and any visible injuries. Gather contact information from all parties involved and any witnesses present.
- Do Not Admit Fault or Discuss Details: Avoid admitting fault or making statements about the accident to anyone except law enforcement and your attorney. Insurance adjusters may use your words to minimize your claim.
- Contact Tracey Fox & Walters for a Free Case Evaluation: The sooner you consult with an experienced motorcycle wreck attorney in San Antonio, the stronger your claim will be. Our team will begin investigating immediately, preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
- Keep Records of Medical Treatment and Expenses: Maintain detailed documentation of all medical care, including hospital visits, medications, therapy, and rehabilitation. These records are vital for supporting your claim.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance provider as soon as possible, but be cautious about what you say. Provide only basic facts and avoid downplaying your injuries.
How Fault Is Determined in a Motorcycle Crash
Proving fault in a motorcycle accident requires a thorough investigation and strong evidence. Texas follows a fault-based system, meaning the driver responsible for the crash can be held liable for injuries and damages. Our San Antonio personal injury lawyers gather all necessary facts to show the other driver’s negligence and protect your right to full compensation.
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which means if you are found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages. Insurance companies often try to shift partial blame to the motorcyclist, but fault must be based on conduct and evidence, not assumptions about the rider or the motorcycle.
Our attorneys at Tracey Fox & Walters carefully collect and analyze all available evidence, challenge unfair fault assignments, and advocate for your rights. We ensure that every aspect of the crash is documented and presented accurately, maximizing your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Understanding Texas Motorcycle Laws
Texas law requires drivers to share the road responsibly and gives motorcyclists the same rights as other motorists. Some key rules and regulations for motorcyclists include:
- Helmet Laws: Texas requires all motorcycle riders and passengers under 21 to wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet if they have completed an approved safety course or carry adequate health insurance, but wearing a helmet is strongly recommended for safety.
- Eye Protection: All riders must wear eye protection unless the motorcycle has a windscreen.
- Lane Splitting: Riding between lanes of traffic (lane splitting) is illegal in Texas and can result in fines. Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of a lane, but cannot operate between lanes of moving or stopped vehicles.
- Lane Sharing: Two motorcycles are allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane, but more than two are not permitted.
- Headlight Use: Motorcycles must have their headlights on at all times while operating.
- Handlebar Height: Handlebars cannot be higher than the rider’s shoulder height while seated.
- Inspection & Registration: As of 2025, Texas no longer requires physical motorcycle inspections for non-commercial vehicles, but an annual fee is required. Motorcycles must be registered and display a valid license plate.
- Parking: Motorcycles must be parked in designated spaces, upright, and not on sidewalks, medians, or streets unless specifically allowed by signage.
- Inherent Risk Legislation: Effective September 1, 2025, HB5624 clarifies liability for off-road riding and property owners, making it easier for riders to understand their rights in certain scenarios.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, our San Antonio personal injury attorneys will help ensure your rights are protected and that your claim is not weakened by regulatory violations.
Can You File a Claim if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes. Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may still be entitled to recovery in a motorcycle crash injury claim in Texas. The key issue is whether the other driver’s negligence caused the crash. Our attorneys can explain how Texas comparative negligence laws may apply to your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Motorcycle Wreck?
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover your losses. These include:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, and medical equipment.
- Lost Income: Reimbursement for wages lost due to time off work, as well as damages for reduced earning capacity if your injury impacts your ability to work long-term.
- Property Damage: Coverage for repair or replacement costs of your motorcycle and any personal belongings damaged in the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and reduced quality of life resulting from the accident.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of reckless or intentional misconduct by the at-fault party, additional damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
- Other Economic Losses: This can include costs such as transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, and other accident-related expenses.
Texas law allows you to recover damages based on your degree of fault, provided you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. Tracey Fox & Walters can help you build a strong case to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve for all your losses.
Insurance Challenges Motorcycle Riders Face
Insurance companies often assume motorcyclists are reckless, which can make fair settlements difficult. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in San Antonio know how to counter this bias and demand the compensation you deserve.
Medical Bills and Treatment Costs
The medical expenses from a serious motorcycle accident, especially those involving spinal injuries or head trauma, can quickly add up. We make sure these costs are fully documented and recovered in your claim.
When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in in San Antonio
Motorcyclists often face unfair bias and resistance from insurers. That’s why our experienced attorneys at Tracey Fox & Walters are here to protect your rights and fight for a fair outcome, whether through negotiation or trial.
Texas law sets a strict two-year statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit, meaning you must begin legal action within two years of the crash date. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to compensation forever, regardless of how strong your case is. Certain exceptions, such as being a minor or having delayed discovery of your injuries, can extend this deadline, but these situations are rare and require prompt legal advice.
Why Choose Tracey Fox & Walters for Your Motorcycle Injury Case
Whether you live in Spring, Houston, Dallas, or right here in San Antonio, our motorcycle accident lawyers provide personalized, aggressive representation for injured riders. We have the skill, experience, and tenacity to guide your case from start to finish.
If your crash resulted in catastrophic injuries or a motorcycle fatality claim in Texas, we’ll fight for the full recovery your family deserves.
Contact Us for a Free Motorcycle Injury Case Review
Need strong legal help for bikers after a crash? You don’t have to face insurance companies or negligent drivers alone. Contact Tracey Fox & Walters and demand justice today.
