Every year in Texas, riders take to the road knowing the risks are real — and when a crash happens, the physical, financial, and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Motorcyclists face unique dangers that other drivers simply do not. Road hazards that a car can absorb without incident can send a rider to the pavement. Negligent drivers who fail to see motorcyclists in traffic cause crashes that result in broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and worse. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who understands the full weight of what you’re up against.
That attorney can be found at Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP. As Austin’s oldest personal injury law firm, established in 1959, we have spent more than 65 years fighting for the rights of seriously injured Texans. Our board-certified personal injury attorneys — Kevin Henrichson, Robert Alden, Hunter Wallen, and Carson May — bring a proven record to every case, with a 98% success rate and over $100 million recovered on behalf of our clients. When you’re dealing with a life-altering injury, our experience matters.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous
Motorcyclists have almost no protection between themselves and the road, other vehicles, or roadside obstacles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists were nearly 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash per vehicle miles traveled in 2024. That statistic reflects a fundamental truth about riding: even a seemingly minor crash can cause severe and lasting harm.
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle crashes rarely happen because of rider error alone. Many of the most serious collisions stem from the negligence of other drivers who fail to share the road responsibly. Common causes we see in our cases include:
- Left-turn collisions: A driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, often claiming they never saw the rider
- Lane changes without checking: A driver merges into a motorcyclist’s lane without signaling or looking
- Distracted driving: Texting, adjusting navigation, or other inattention behind the wheel
- Speeding and reckless behavior: Aggressive drivers who leave little room for riders to react
- Road hazards and poor conditions: Potholes, gravel, uneven pavement, and debris that pose minimal risk to cars but can cause catastrophic outcomes for motorcyclists
When negligence from another driver, a municipality, or a third party causes your crash, you have the right to pursue compensation. Understanding who is liable is the first step, and that’s where our team can help.
What Compensation Can Cover After a Motorcycle Accident
A serious motorcycle accident can upend every part of your life. Medical over
lls stack up quickly: surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing care for catastrophic injuries can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Beyond the financial strain, many riders face lost income during recovery or are unable to return to work in the same capacity.
Types of Damages Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims
Texas law allows injured motorcyclists to pursue several categories of compensation. The damages available in your case will depend on its specific facts, but generally include economic and non-economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. In cases involving a fatality, surviving family members may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim to recover for their own losses.
The value of your case deserves careful, experienced assessment. Insurance companies rarely offer full and fair compensation without a fight, and they count on injured people to accept less than they deserve. Our attorneys are true trial lawyers. The other side knows who we are, and that knowledge frequently leads to better outcomes before a case ever reaches a courtroom.
How We Build a Strong Motorcycle Accident Case
Winning a motorcycle accident claim requires more than simply showing you were hurt. We investigate every angle of the crash to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. That means gathering evidence from the scene, reviewing police reports, analyzing traffic camera footage when available, consulting with accident reconstruction professionals, and working with medical providers to document the full scope of your injuries.
We also protect you from the tactics insurance companies use to reduce payouts. Adjusters may argue that your riding contributed to the crash, that your injuries are not as serious as claimed, or that you accepted a lower settlement by waiting to call an attorney. At Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP, we push back on bad-faith tactics directly. If an insurer is treating your claim unfairly, our team knows how to handle bad faith insurance conduct and pursue every avenue available under Texas law. And if the at-fault driver was also under the influence of alcohol, we explore every layer of liability, including potential distracted and reckless driving claims that may affect your recovery.
Contact Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP After a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents produce some of the most serious injuries our attorneys encounter, and victims deserve representation that reflects the seriousness of their situation. We are listed in Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Best Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report, and the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Our attorneys do not take cases lightly, and we do not back down when insurance companies push back. You will not find us on billboards or television commercials. Our reputation is built entirely on results and the trust of clients who came to us when it mattered most.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Austin or anywhere in Texas, do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team for a free consultation. Time is a factor in every personal injury case, and the sooner we begin, the better we can protect your rights and your claim. To take the first step toward the compensation you deserve, please contact us online.
Sources:
- NHTSA: 2013 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview
- Texas DOT: Texas Motor Vehicle Crash Highlights – Calendar Year 2013
- NHTSA: Safety in Numbers: Motorcyclists
- IIHS: Motorcycles
- USDOT: Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures