Motorcycle accidents and injuries are still going up in Texas and across the country. The numbers show where and why these crashes happen.
- The National Safety Council (NSC) says Texas is one of the top three states with the most motorcycle deaths in the past 20 years. The Texas Open Data Portal (Texas ODP) reports that at least one motorcyclist dies every day on Texas roads — and this has gone on for over 20 years.
- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) says that in 2024, there were 581 motorcycle deaths and more than 2,530 serious injuries across the state.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that for every mile traveled, motorcycle riders are 24 times more likely to die than people in cars. Riding a motorcycle is much more dangerous than driving a car.
At least one motorcyclist dies every day on Texas roads, and riding a motorcycle is 24 times more likely to be deadly than driving a car.
- Motorcycle deaths in Texas were going down, but that changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the Texas Open Data Portal. With fewer cars on the road during lockdowns, many drivers went faster. Stress, being alone, and more drinking also made driving more dangerous.
- Texas has one of the highest rates of deadly motorcycle crashes in the U.S. In 2023, 15 out of every 10,000 motorcycles had a fatal crash. This is more than twice the U.S. average.
Even after the pandemic, the number of deadly crashes is still high. Changes in how people drive, the economy, and roads have made riding motorcycles more dangerous in Texas.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle crashes happen because another driver is careless, not the rider. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see, which makes crashes more likely and often very serious.
Failure to Yield
One of the main causes of motorcycle crashes is drivers not giving the right of way, especially at intersections. Drivers turning left sometimes don’t see how fast a motorcycle is coming and pull in front of it.
- TxDOT says 40% of deadly motorcycle crashes happen at intersections, so drivers need to watch for motorcycles.
Distracted Driving
Using phones while driving is very dangerous, especially for motorcyclists. Even looking at a phone for two seconds can make a driver drift into another lane or miss a motorcycle in their blind spot. Because motorcycles are small and quick, drivers who text, check GPS, or scroll through apps may not notice them.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Excessive speed remains a consistent contributor to fatal motorcycle wrecks. Speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the force of impact in any crash. In Texas, where highways can be 75 mph or faster, speeding is very dangerous.
- NHTSA says about one in three deadly motorcycle crashes involves someone speeding.
Lack of Helmet Use and Protective Gear
Not wearing a helmet does not cause crashes, but it makes injuries much worse. In Texas, adults can ride without helmets if they have insurance or training. Still, many people who die in motorcycle crashes are not wearing helmets.
- Riders with helmets are three times less likely to get serious brain injuries.
- Helmets can also cut deaths by 42% and brain injuries by 69%.
Low Visibility
- NHTSA says that in crashes between a motorcycle and another vehicle, the motorcycle is hit from the front 79% of the time.
This shows that many drivers do not see motorcycles when merging, changing lanes, or turning.
Other common causes of motorcycle crashes in Texas and across the U.S. include alcohol or drug use, bad road conditions, and new or unlicensed riders. When careless drivers cause serious injuries, Texas law lets victims and their families seek justice in court.
Most motorcycle crashes happen because another driver is careless, people speed, drivers don’t yield, or riders are distracted or inexperienced.
When and Where Most Motorcycle Crashes Occur
Motorcycle accidents tend to spike when riding conditions are ideal and more bikers are on the road.
- NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts data shows that 56% of all motorcycle crashes occur during daylight hours, and 97% happen in clear or cloudy weather.
Most deadly motorcycle crashes happen on busy city roads, where high speeds leave little room for mistakes. Rural roads in West Texas, like those between Lubbock, Plainview, and Midland, are also risky. Long straight roads, strong winds, and poor lighting make motorcycles hard for other drivers to see.
Motorcycle Accidents: Costs and Legal Options
Motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. cost more than $470 billion each year. For someone in a motorcycle crash, the personal cost can be huge. Crashes can lead to medical bills, therapy, damaged property, and lost income for a long time.
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Assistive devices and long-term care
- Vehicle and property damage
Crashes also bring hidden costs. Families may face stress, lower quality of life, and money problems for spouses, kids, or caregivers. For many, these problems can be as hard as the injuries themselves.