Motorcycles offer freedom and efficiency on Texas roads, but they also expose riders to far greater risk than passenger vehicles. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas consistently leads the nation in motorcycle fatalities, with hundreds of riders killed and thousands seriously injured each year. Many of these injuries are not the result of rare or unavoidable events—they stem from common, preventable safety mistakes.
At Herrman & Herrman Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, we represent injured motorcyclists across Texas and see these patterns repeatedly. Understanding the most frequent motorcycle safety mistakes can help riders stay safer—and help injured riders understand how accidents happen and why legal accountability matters.
Below are the top 10 motorcycle safety mistakes that most often lead to serious injuries in Texas, supported by real-world data and experience.
1. Not Wearing Proper Protective Gear
Failing to wear proper protective gear remains one of the most dangerous mistakes riders make. TxDOT reports that helmet use dramatically reduces the risk of fatal head injuries, yet Texas law allows some riders to go without helmets.
Riders without adequate gear are far more likely to suffer:
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
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Severe road rash requiring skin grafts
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Facial fractures and permanent scarring
In a state where approximately 580 motorcyclists die each year, protective gear can mean the difference between walking away and a life-altering injury.
2. Speeding or Riding Too Fast for Conditions
Speed is a major factor in Texas motorcycle crashes. High-speed impacts significantly increase injury severity, especially for unprotected riders.
TxDOT data shows that speeding is a contributing factor in a large percentage of fatal motorcycle accidents. Excessive speed reduces reaction time, increases stopping distance, and magnifies impact force—often turning survivable crashes into fatal ones.
3. Assuming Other Drivers See You
One of the most dangerous assumptions a rider can make is believing other drivers see them. Motorcycles are smaller, harder to judge for distance and speed, and frequently overlooked.
This mistake plays a major role in intersection crashes, which are among the deadliest for riders. In Texas, nearly one in three motorcycle fatalities occurs at intersections, often when drivers turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
4. Riding in Vehicle Blind Spots
Blind spots are especially hazardous for motorcycles on Texas highways and multi-lane roads. Cars, SUVs, and large trucks may not see a motorcycle riding alongside them.
Blind-spot crashes commonly result in:
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Lane-change collisions
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Riders being sideswiped or forced off the road
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High-speed ejections causing spinal and orthopedic injuries
These crashes often leave riders with catastrophic injuries despite doing everything “right.”
5. Ignoring Road Hazards
Road hazards that are minor inconveniences for cars can be deadly for motorcycles. Gravel, potholes, uneven pavement, oil slicks, and construction debris are common hazards across Texas roadways.
Loss-of-control crashes caused by road hazards frequently lead to:
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Broken bones
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Head injuries
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Severe abrasions
Poor road maintenance and construction zones are recurring factors in Texas motorcycle injury claims.
6. Riding Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs significantly impair the balance, judgment, and coordination required to safely operate a motorcycle. Even small amounts of alcohol can drastically increase crash risk.
TxDOT reports consistently show that a substantial percentage of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol impairment. Riding under the influence remains one of the most preventable—and most deadly—mistakes riders make.
7. Lack of Proper Training or Experience
Many serious motorcycle accidents involve riders without adequate training. Motorcycles handle very differently from cars, especially in emergency situations.
Common mistakes among untrained riders include:
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Panic braking
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Overcorrecting in curves
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Improper swerving techniques
Texas offers motorcycle safety courses that can significantly reduce accident risk, yet many riders never receive formal instruction.
8. Following Too Closely
Tailgating is dangerous in any vehicle, but it is especially hazardous on a motorcycle. Sudden stops by vehicles ahead can leave riders with no room to react.
Rear-end and near-rear-end crashes often result in:
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High-impact injuries
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Riders being thrown from the motorcycle
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Severe neck and back trauma
Maintaining proper following distance is a simple but critical safety practice.
9. Riding While Fatigued or Distracted
Fatigue and distraction are frequently underestimated risks. Long rides, Texas heat, dehydration, and lack of rest can slow reaction times and impair judgment.
Distractions such as GPS adjustments, Bluetooth communication, or mental fatigue can delay responses by crucial seconds—often with devastating consequences.
10. Poor Motorcycle Maintenance
Mechanical failure on a motorcycle can instantly become life-threatening. Worn tires, brake failures, lighting issues, or chain problems can cause sudden loss of control.
TxDOT crash investigations regularly cite vehicle defects and maintenance issues as contributing factors in serious motorcycle accidents. Routine inspections and maintenance are essential to rider safety.
The Real Impact of Motorcycle Safety Mistakes in Texas
Each year in Texas:
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Over 9,000 motorcycle crashes occur
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More than 2,500 riders suffer serious injuries
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Approximately 1.3 motorcyclists die every day
These numbers are not just statistics—they represent families forever changed by preventable crashes. While riders can reduce risk through safe practices, many motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers, dangerous roads, or unsafe conditions beyond a rider’s control.
How Herrman & Herrman Helps Injured Motorcyclists
At Herrman & Herrman Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges injured riders face. Insurance companies often try to unfairly blame motorcyclists, even when another party caused the crash.
Our firm fights for compensation for:
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Medical expenses
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Lost income and reduced earning capacity
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Pain and suffering
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Long-term rehabilitation
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Wrongful death losses
Talk to a Texas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Texas, you do not have to face the legal process alone. Motorcycle injury claims require experienced legal advocacy and a deep understanding of Texas traffic laws and crash data.
Contact Herrman & Herrman today for a free consultation. We are proud to stand up for injured riders across Texas and remain committed to Always Putting YOU First.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
