Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Bikers deserve full justice. We fight insurer bias and negligent drivers to recover everything you are owed — no fee unless we win.

Call (512) 474-0100 Free Case Review

Austin Motorcyclists Face Real Dangers — and Real Bias

Austin is a motorcycle city. The Hill Country roads west of town — Ranch Road 12, RR 2325, and the stretch of US-290 through Dripping Springs — draw thousands of riders every weekend. The urban grid, MoPac, Loop 360, and I-35 add daily commuting exposure. But when a motorcycle crash happens, injured riders face two battles: recovering from serious injuries, and overcoming the assumption by insurers — and sometimes juries — that the motorcyclist was at fault or riding recklessly.

At Baker Matthews Law Collective PLLC, our Austin motorcycle accident attorneys understand this bias and know how to dismantle it with evidence. We document scene conditions, obtain traffic camera footage, retain accident reconstruction experts, and build the factual record that shows exactly what happened — and who caused it. Our attorneys have handled motorcycle injury cases at the highest levels of Texas personal injury litigation through their time at Thomas J. Henry.

Motorcycle accidents almost always cause more severe injuries than car crashes — road rash, fractures, spinal injuries, TBI, limb amputations, and death. The compensation you pursue must reflect not just your immediate medical bills but your long-term care needs, lost income, and permanent disability. We pursue all of it.

2 Years
Texas Statute of Limitations
21+
No Helmet Required (with insurance)
3 Feet
Required Passing Distance (TX Law)

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin

  1. Call 911 and stay at the scene. A police report documents the crash officially. Officers note road conditions, cite traffic violations, and interview witnesses — all critical for your claim.
  2. Get emergency medical care immediately. Motorcycle crash injuries can be internal and delayed. Adrenaline masks pain. A same-day ER visit creates an essential chain of medical evidence linking the crash to your injuries.
  3. Document everything. Photograph your motorcycle, the other vehicle(s), the roadway, any potholes or debris, your protective gear, and your injuries before they're cleaned up or repaired.
  4. Get the other driver's full information. License, registration, insurance, and any employer information if the driver was working at the time.
  5. Preserve your gear. Do not discard your helmet, jacket, or boots — even if damaged. They are physical evidence of impact force and protection used. Defense lawyers sometimes claim missing gear proves recklessness.
  6. Contact Baker Matthews before speaking to any insurer. Adjusters representing the other driver will attempt to get recorded statements. Do not provide one without counsel.

Fighting for Injured Riders Across Central Texas

Car Accident
$500,000
Settlement — Travis County
Wrongful Death
$275,000
Settlement — Austin Area
Truck Accident
$250,000
Settlement — Central Texas

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique.

View All Case Results

How Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Austin

The vast majority of motorcycle accidents in Austin and Travis County are caused by other drivers' negligence — not by the motorcyclist. Common scenarios include:

Texas Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Case

Helmet Law: Under Texas Transportation Code §661.003, riders 21 and older may legally ride without a helmet if they carry health insurance providing at least $10,000 in medical coverage or have completed a motorcycle safety course. Riding without a helmet legally does not bar your injury claim — but insurers will try to use it to reduce your compensation. We know how to counter that argument.

Lane Filtering: As of 2025, Texas has not enacted a general lane-splitting or lane-filtering law for motorcycles on public roads. Motorcycles must follow the same traffic lane rules as other vehicles. Weaving between lanes can be used against you in a comparative fault analysis.

Three-Foot Passing Law: Texas Transportation Code §545.053 requires drivers to pass motorcycles with at least three feet of clearance. A driver who fails to maintain this distance and strikes a motorcyclist has violated a statutory duty of care — creating a strong basis for negligence per se.

Statute of Limitations: Two years from the crash date to file suit (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003). If a government entity's road conditions contributed to the crash, notice deadlines can be as short as six months.

Comparative Fault: Texas's 51% comparative fault rule applies. Insurance companies routinely allege the rider was speeding or lane-splitting to reduce payouts. We counter with evidence — not just arguments. See also our pages on car accidents and bicycle accidents.

Why Austin Motorcyclists Choose Baker Matthews

We Counter Anti-Biker Bias Head On

We know the stereotypes insurers exploit. We build our cases from the ground up to demonstrate the facts — eyewitness accounts, accident reconstruction, traffic violation records — that put liability where it belongs: on the negligent driver.

Serious Injuries Require Serious Advocacy

Motorcycle crash injuries are often catastrophic. We retain the right medical experts to project your lifetime care costs and quantify non-economic damages like pain and disfigurement — ensuring no element of harm goes uncompensated.

Bilingual Service

Austin's Latino motorcycle riding community deserves representation in the language they're most comfortable with. Our firm provides full bilingual (English/Spanish) service at every stage.

No Fee Unless We Win

You should not have to worry about legal fees while recovering from a serious crash. We handle everything on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win.

Meet Alex & Daniel

Motorcycle Accident Questions — Answered

Does not wearing a helmet hurt my case in Texas?

Potentially, but it does not bar your claim. Texas allows riders over 21 with adequate health insurance to legally ride without a helmet. Insurers may argue your injuries were worsened by the lack of a helmet. Our attorneys counter this with medical expert testimony to isolate which injuries were caused by the crash versus any alleged failure to wear protective gear.

Is lane splitting legal in Texas?

No. Texas has not legalized lane splitting or lane filtering on public roads. Motorcycles must stay within a single lane and follow the same traffic rules as other vehicles. If you were lane-splitting at the time of your crash, the insurer will use it against you in a comparative fault argument — though it does not automatically bar your recovery if you are less than 51% at fault.

What if a road defect caused my motorcycle accident?

If a pothole, uneven pavement, missing signage, or other road defect caused your crash, TxDOT or a local government entity may be liable. However, claims against government entities in Texas require strict compliance with the Texas Tort Claims Act, including notice periods as short as six months. Contact us immediately if road conditions played any role in your crash.

What damages can a motorcycle accident victim recover in Texas?

You may recover medical expenses (emergency, surgical, rehabilitation, and future care), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement (road rash scarring is a recognized damage category in Texas), loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage to your motorcycle and gear. In cases of gross negligence, exemplary damages may be available.

What if the driver that hit me claims they never saw me?

"I didn't see them" is not a legal defense. Drivers have a duty to maintain a proper lookout. Failure to see a motorcyclist who was lawfully in the roadway is itself a form of negligence. We use traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction to establish that the rider was clearly visible and the driver simply failed to look.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Texas?

Two years from the crash date under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. If a government entity is involved, notice requirements kick in much sooner. Do not delay — contact Baker Matthews for a free consultation as soon as you are able.

Injured in an Austin Motorcycle Crash? We Are Ready to Fight for You.

Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Bilingual English/Spanish service.

Call (512) 474-0100 Free Case Evaluation