Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Wichita Falls
Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle crashes leave riders with far worse injuries than the people in the vehicles that hit them. After a wreck on Loop 289, I-27, or the Marsha Sharp Freeway, the at-fault driver's insurer often moves fast to shift blame onto the rider. Our team protects your right to full compensation while you focus on recovery.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Lubbock
Get medical care first—internal and head injuries are not always obvious at the scene. Then document everything: photos, the other driver's information, witness names, and the police report number. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company until you've spoken with an attorney.
The steps you take in the first hours and days can decide whether your claim succeeds. Insurers in Texas frequently use early statements to argue a rider was speeding or lane-splitting, so what you say matters.
Does Texas Require Motorcycle Helmets?
Texas requires helmets for all riders and passengers under 21. Riders 21 and older may ride without one only if they have completed a state-approved safety course or carry qualifying medical insurance, under Texas Transportation Code § 661.003.
Importantly, not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim. You can still recover compensation when another driver caused the crash. Insurers may argue a missing helmet worsened a head injury, but that argument goes to the value of certain damages—not your basic right to file. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury, the difference can be significant, which is why experienced representation matters.
How Fault Works in Texas Motorcycle Claims
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule called proportionate responsibility. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, you can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault. If you are found 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing.
This is exactly why insurers work so hard to pin blame on riders. Every percentage point of fault they assign to you reduces your payout. Building a clear record of the other driver's negligence is central to how we handle every case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Lubbock
Most serious motorcycle wrecks are caused by other drivers, not riders. The most common patterns we see include:
- Left-turn collisions, where a driver turns across a rider's path at an intersection
- Failure to yield when merging or pulling out
- Distracted driving, especially phone use
- Following too closely or misjudging a motorcycle's speed
- Unsafe lane changes into a rider's blind spot
According to TxDOT's "Share the Road" motorcycle safety campaign, intersections are where motorcycle collisions most commonly occur, and Texas lost 557 riders in a single recent year. The open, high-wind corridors around Lubbock—US-84 toward Slaton, US-62/82 through the South Plains, and FM roads outside the Loop—add visibility challenges that make rider injuries especially severe.
Injuries and Compensation You Can Recover
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists face a far higher risk of fatal injury per mile traveled than people in passenger vehicles. Riders we represent often face road rash, fractures, spinal injuries, and brain trauma.
A successful claim can cover current and future medical bills, lost income and reduced earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. When a crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.
The Deadline to File in Texas
In most Texas motorcycle accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Miss that deadline and the court will almost always refuse to hear your case.
Two years can pass quickly while you focus on healing. Evidence also fades—skid marks disappear, cameras overwrite footage, and witnesses move. Acting early protects both your deadline and your proof.
Why Choose Malone Legal Group
Our Lubbock-based team focuses on serious injury cases and knows how local insurers and adjusters approach motorcycle claims. We investigate the crash thoroughly, work with reconstruction and medical experts when needed, and prepare every case as if it will go to trial. You pay nothing upfront—we work on a contingency basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover for you.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident in West Texas? We can help
What Are The Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Texas?
In Texas, motorcycle accidents can occur due to a variety of factors—and most serious crashes are caused by other drivers, not riders. Some of the common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Left-Turn and Failure-to-Yield Accidents: A large share of motorcycle crashes happen when a driver turns left across a rider's path or pulls out without yielding, often claiming they "never saw" the motorcycle. Because bikes are smaller, drivers frequently misjudge a rider's speed and distance at intersections.
Distracted Driving: Distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, or adjusting in-car electronics can divert a driver's attention from the road. A motorcyclist's smaller profile makes them especially easy to miss when a driver isn't fully focused.
Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the time a driver has to react and makes a motorcycle even harder to spot and judge. At higher speeds, crashes involving riders are far more likely to cause severe or fatal injuries.
Drunk or Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time and impair judgment. Impaired drivers are less likely to see a motorcycle or respond in time, putting riders at serious risk—especially at night and on weekends.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spots: Motorcycles can easily disappear into a vehicle's blind spot. Drivers who merge or change lanes without checking mirrors and signaling can clip a rider or force them off the road.
Poor Weather and Road Conditions: Rain, high crosswinds, and loose gravel reduce traction and stability for two-wheeled vehicles. Across West Texas, strong winds make riders particularly vulnerable, and potholes or debris that a car would shrug off can cause a motorcycle to lose control.
Inadequate Maintenance: Neglected maintenance can lead to mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts on either the motorcycle or another vehicle—which can result in accidents.
Texas traffic laws: Disregarding the "rules of the road" specified in Texas Transportation Code Chapter 545
Texas motorcycle laws: Failure to follow motorcycle operating and helmet requirements under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 661
What Damages Can I Seek Compensation for After a Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident, victims often face a myriad of challenges, from physical injuries to emotional distress and financial burdens. Seeking compensation is essential to help alleviate these hardships. When pursuing a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to seek various types of damages. These can include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers the cost of medical treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care related to the accident.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for the wages you've lost due to your inability to perform your job.
- Future Earning Capacity: If the injuries sustained in the accident affect your ability to earn a living in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for diminished earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by the accident and its aftermath.
- Emotional Distress: Severe emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can warrant compensation, especially if it significantly impacts your quality of life.
- Property Damage: If your vehicle or personal belongings were damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for the repair or replacement costs.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has impacted your relationship with your spouse or family members, you might seek compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and intimacy.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct by the motorcycle driver or company, punitive damages might be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.
It's important to note that the specifics of your case will influence the types of damages you can seek and the amount of compensation you might receive. Consulting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine the damages that apply to your situation and ensure you pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Yes. Texas law does not bar your claim for riding without a helmet, and adults 21+ may legally ride without one if they meet the exemption requirements. The other driver's insurer may argue a missing helmet increased the severity of a head injury, but that affects only certain damages—not your right to pursue the claim. An attorney can counter that argument with medical evidence.
Insurers routinely shift blame to riders because Texas's proportionate responsibility rule reduces or eliminates payouts based on your share of fault. Do not accept their assessment as final. We gather crash data, witness statements, and expert analysis to establish the other driver's negligence and protect your recovery.
Generally two years from the date of the crash, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Limited exceptions can extend or shorten that window, so it's best to have an attorney confirm your specific deadline as early as possible.
Usually not. Early offers are often made before the full extent of your injuries—especially head, spinal, and internal injuries—is known, and they tend to undervalue future medical needs and lost earnings. Have an attorney review any offer before you sign or accept payment.
Seek medical attention, call the police, and document the scene with photos and witness information if you're able. Avoid discussing fault and decline a recorded statement to the other insurer. Then contact a motorcycle accident attorney to preserve evidence and protect your claim.
How Malone Legal Group
Can Help You With Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Legal Expertise: Our knowledgeable attorneys understand the specific laws and regulations that pertain to motorcycle accidents. They can navigate the complexities of liability, insurance coverage, and potential negligence on the part of the at-fault driver who caused the crash.
Investigation: Malone Legal Group will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, and analyzing accident reports. This investigation can be crucial in establishing liability—especially when an insurer tries to shift blame onto the rider.
Negotiation Skills: At-fault drivers and their insurers often have teams of legal professionals working to minimize their liability. Our lawyers can negotiate with these parties on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Understanding Damages: Malone Legal Group can help you accurately assess the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. This ensures that you pursue adequate compensation.
Court Representation: If negotiations fail, your attorney can represent you in court. We will build a strong case, present evidence, and advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
Peace of Mind: Dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. Having a lawyer on your side allows you to focus on recovery while they handle the legal aspects.
