San Antonio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Fighting for Injured Riders

The Growing Danger for Motorcyclists in San Antonio

Riding a motorcycle in San Antonio means accepting elevated risks that car drivers never face. Texas consistently ranks among the deadliest states for motorcyclists, and San Antonio’s busy highways, distracted drivers, and complex intersections create constant hazards for riders throughout Bexar County.

The statistics are alarming. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 9,160 motorcycle crashes across Texas in 2024. These collisions resulted in 598 fatalities and 2,452 serious injuries. Motorcyclist deaths increased 7% from 2022 to 2023, while fatal crashes at intersections surged by 21%.

Despite representing a small percentage of vehicles on the road, motorcyclists account for nearly 15% of all motor vehicle deaths in Texas. This disproportionate fatality rate reflects the fundamental vulnerability of riders who lack the protection that cars and trucks provide.

Bexar County consistently ranks among the top three Texas counties for motorcycle accidents, alongside Harris County (Houston) and Dallas County. In 2022, San Antonio recorded 456 motorcycle crashes, including 21 fatal crashes that killed 38 people and 68 serious injury crashes that severely injured 114 riders.

True Litigation Firm That Fights Insurance Company Bias

Motorcyclists face unique challenges when pursuing injury claims. Insurance companies often harbor bias against riders, assuming they were speeding, weaving through traffic, or otherwise responsible for their own injuries—regardless of the actual facts.

Harper Law Firm understands this bias and fights against it. As a true litigation firm, we:
• Investigate accident circumstances thoroughly to establish driver negligence • Counter insurance company tactics that unfairly blame motorcyclists • Document all injuries and long-term medical needs comprehensively • Consult accident reconstruction experts when needed • Build compelling cases that demonstrate the other driver’s fault • Prepare every case for trial, not just settlement negotiations
Unlike settlement mills that want to resolve cases quickly and move on, we invest the time and resources necessary to fight for maximum compensation. Insurance adjusters know which firms actually try cases—and they know Harper Law Firm is prepared to go to trial when necessary.

Local Knowledge of San Antonio’s Dangerous Roads for Riders

Harper Law Firm is based right here in San Antonio. Our attorneys understand the specific dangers facing local motorcyclists:
• The merge zones and high-speed traffic on I-410 and I-10 • The intersection dangers throughout Loop 1604 • The hazards created by distracted drivers on I-35 • The road conditions and traffic patterns on local arterials • The areas with highest motorcycle accident concentrations
This local knowledge strengthens our representation of injured riders throughout Bexar County.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Are So Devastating

No Protective Barrier

Car occupants are surrounded by steel frames, airbags, seat belts, and crumple zones designed to absorb crash energy. Motorcyclists have none of these protections. In a collision, riders are exposed directly to impact forces, thrown from their bikes, and at risk of being struck by other vehicles or road surfaces.

This vulnerability explains why motorcycle accidents cause such severe injuries. A crash that might result in minor injuries for car occupants can cause catastrophic harm—or death—to a motorcyclist.

Visibility Challenges

Motorcycles are smaller and harder for drivers to see than cars and trucks. Drivers looking for larger vehicles may fail to notice motorcycles entirely, especially when:
• Checking mirrors and blind spots before lane changes • Scanning intersections before turning left • Approaching from behind in traffic • Driving during low-light conditions

The failure to see motorcycles is the most common factor in multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Despite being the drivers’ failure, this often gets blamed on the motorcycle’s size rather than driver inattention.

Speed and Distance Misjudgment

Drivers often misjudge the speed and distance of approaching motorcycles. A motorcycle’s narrow profile makes it difficult to accurately assess how fast it’s traveling or how close it is. This misjudgment leads drivers to turn in front of motorcycles or pull into their path, believing they have more time than they actually do.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in San Antonio

Left-Turn Accidents

Left-turn accidents are among the deadliest scenarios for motorcyclists. These crashes occur when drivers turning left across traffic fail to see oncoming motorcycles or misjudge their speed and distance. The driver turns directly into the motorcycle’s path, giving the rider little or no time to react.

Intersection Crashes

Nearly 30% of fatal motorcycle accidents occur at or near intersections. Fatal intersection crashes increased by 21% from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the growing danger these locations pose for riders. Intersection accidents happen when drivers run red lights, fail to yield when turning, or pull out from side streets without checking for motorcycles.

Lane Change Accidents

Drivers changing lanes often fail to check properly for motorcycles in adjacent lanes or blind spots. A motorcycle can easily be hidden in a car’s blind spot, and drivers who don’t look carefully may merge directly into riders.

Rear-End Collisions

Motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars in some situations, and following drivers may rear-end stopped motorcycles. Unlike car rear-end accidents, these crashes can be devastating for motorcyclists who are thrown from their bikes on impact.

Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers pose extreme danger to motorcyclists. A driver looking at a phone may never see the motorcycle in front of them or approaching from the side. With motorcycles already being difficult to spot, distraction makes the situation even more dangerous.

Drunk and Impaired Driving

Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times, impaired judgment, and diminished ability to see and process their surroundings—all of which increase the likelihood they’ll fail to notice motorcycles.

Road Hazards

Road conditions that cars navigate easily can be dangerous for motorcycles: potholes, gravel, debris, oil slicks, and wet surfaces can all cause loss of control.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries are a leading cause of death and permanent disability in motorcycle accidents. Even with helmet use, the forces involved in crashes can cause concussions, skull fractures, and severe traumatic brain injuries. Notably, 37% of riders killed in 2024 Texas motorcycle crashes were not wearing helmets.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The impact forces in motorcycle crashes can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis. Spinal injuries often require surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and lifelong care.

Road Rash

When riders slide across pavement after being thrown from their bikes, road rash can cause serious skin injuries. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and may result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Motorcycle accidents commonly cause multiple fractures including leg and femur fractures, arm and wrist fractures, pelvis fractures, and rib fractures. Complex fractures may require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening internal injuries that may not be immediately apparent after accidents.

Amputation

The most severe motorcycle accidents can result in traumatic amputation or injuries so severe that surgical amputation becomes necessary.

Fighting Insurance Company Bias Against Motorcyclists

Insurance companies often approach motorcycle accident claims with bias against riders. They assume motorcyclists were speeding, weaving through traffic, or engaging in risky behavior—without any evidence. They may argue that motorcycles are hard to see to shift blame from inattentive drivers.

Harper Law Firm fights back by gathering comprehensive evidence of driver negligence, documenting exactly how the accident occurred, using accident reconstruction experts when needed, and challenging unfounded assumptions about rider behavior.

Texas Motorcycle Laws

Helmet Law

Texas requires motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 to wear helmets. Riders 21 and older may ride without helmets if they complete a motorcycle safety course or carry specific health insurance coverage.

Modified Comparative Negligence

Texas follows modified comparative negligence rules. Motorcyclists can recover damages even if partially at fault, as long as they weren’t more than 50% responsible. Compensation is reduced by the rider’s fault percentage.

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

Economic Damages: • Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization • Surgical procedures and intensive care • Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation • Future medical expenses for long-term injuries • Lost wages during recovery • Reduced earning capacity from permanent disabilities • Motorcycle replacement and property damage • Medical equipment and prosthetics
Non-Economic Damages: • Physical pain and suffering • Mental anguish and emotional trauma • Loss of enjoyment of life • Disfigurement and permanent scarring • Loss of consortium for spouses
Punitive Damages: • Available when drivers acted with gross negligence • May apply in drunk driving cases

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

At the Accident Scene:
Call 911 immediately
Do not remove your helmet if you have potential head or neck injuries
Stay still if you suspect spinal injuries
Document the scene with photos if able
Collect driver and witness information
Do not admit fault or apologize

After the Accident:
Seek comprehensive medical evaluation
Follow all treatment recommendations
Preserve your gear and motorcycle as evidence
Do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel
Contact Harper Law Firm for a free case evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

Will insurance companies blame me because I was on a motorcycle?

Insurance companies often try to shift blame to motorcyclists. Our firm fights this bias by thoroughly investigating accidents and presenting evidence that demonstrates the other driver’s negligence.

How much is my motorcycle accident case worth?

Case value depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, and available insurance coverage. Motorcycle accidents often involve catastrophic injuries warranting substantial compensation.

What if the driver says they didn’t see me?

Drivers have a duty to look for all vehicles, including motorcycles. “I didn’t see the motorcycle” is not a defense—it’s evidence of driver inattention.

Contact Harper Law Firm for Your Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, you need experienced attorneys who understand the bias riders face and are prepared to fight for maximum compensation.

Texas motorcycle deaths are rising. Bexar County ranks among the state’s most dangerous areas for riders. When negligent drivers fail to see motorcycles and cause devastating crashes, you deserve aggressive legal representation from a true litigation firm.

Contact Harper Law Firm today. Your San Antonio motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.