When a collision happens, riders frequently ask what went wrong and who is responsible. Unsafe left turns, lane changes without checking blind spots, and dangerous road conditions can cause motorcycle crashes. Understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents in Dallas, Texas helps injured riders identify the liable party and hold them accountable for their medical bills and lost wages.
Fault depends on the facts of each crash. Identifying all potentially responsible defendants is an important part of pursuing an injury claim, and a Dallas motorcycle accident lawyer can help evaluate the evidence.
Contact Us NowKey Takeaways about Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas, Texas
- A driver who fails to yield during a left turn can cause a serious motorcycle collision.
- Unsafe lane changes frequently result in significant physical and financial harm to riders.
- Municipal road defects and poor government maintenance create hidden dangers specifically affecting two-wheeled vehicles.
- Identifying the correct at-fault party is a necessary step for building a successful legal claim.
Frequent Causes of Motorcycle Collisions in Dallas
Start with the moments before the crash. Did a commuter on US-75 move into the rider’s lane? Did a truck on I-35E turn across it? Was there loose pavement on a street near Greenville Avenue? These are examples of different investigations, not accounts of particular crashes. Counsel needs the location, the vehicles involved and a description of what happened before deciding which parties and legal claims to investigate.
A negligence claim asks how a reasonably careful driver would have acted in those circumstances. Speeding, texting or ignoring a signal may provide evidence that the driver fell short of that standard. Counsel must also connect the conduct to the crash and injury. Start with what the records and witnesses show; the fact that a rider was badly hurt does not establish every part of the claim.
Because motorcycles have a smaller profile than passenger cars, careless drivers often fail to register their presence until a collision is unavoidable. Understanding exactly what caused the motorcycle accident is key to building a strong claim.
Left Turn Motorcycle Crash Liability in Dallas
At an intersection, an oncoming vehicle may turn left across a rider’s path. Drivers often misjudge the speed of an approaching motorcycle or fail to see the rider entirely. A left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle can cause a serious broadside or T-bone collision.
If you are involved in this type of collision, establishing left turn motorcycle crash liability in Dallas requires looking directly at state traffic laws. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.152, a driver turning left must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is close enough to be an immediate hazard.
To prove liability in a left-turn crash, your legal team will look for specific evidence of negligence. Some common indicators of a driver failing to yield include:
- Skid marks at the intersection indicating the driver braked too late.
- Traffic camera footage showing the driver trying to beat a red light.
- Witness statements confirming the motorcycle had the clear right of way.
- Cell phone records showing the driver was distracted during the turn.
Gathering this specific evidence helps demonstrate exactly how the driver failed to follow traffic safety laws. An injured rider may pursue a claim against a driver whose failure to yield caused the crash, subject to the evidence and any shared fault.
The Reality of a Lane Change Motorcycle Accident in Texas
In heavy Dallas traffic, a driver may move into the next lane without checking mirrors and blind spots. Motorcycles can be hidden in the blind spots of larger passenger cars and commercial trucks. A quick glance in the rearview mirror may not reveal a nearby rider, and moving into that rider’s lane can cause a severe crash.
In these situations, proving a Texas driver's liability requires evidence that the driver breached a duty of care and that the breach proximately caused the rider's injuries. According to Texas Transportation Code Section 545.060, a driver on a roadway divided into two or more marked lanes may not move from their lane unless the movement can be made safely. When a driver sideswipes a motorcycle or forces a rider off the highway, the driver is generally the liable party.
Many unsafe lane changes stem from dangerous driving behaviors. We frequently see these behaviors leading up to a crash:
- Drivers weaving aggressively through heavy traffic without using turn signals.
- Commuters driving while distracted by a text message or a navigation app.
- Motorists whose ability to drive safely is impaired by alcohol or medication.
- Fatigued commercial truck drivers drifting out of their designated lanes.
Evidence of these behaviors can support a negligence claim when it is connected to the unsafe lane change. Identifying the specific action that led to the unsafe lane change allows an injured rider to seek justice and fair compensation under motorcycle laws.
Investigating a Road Hazard Motorcycle Accident in Dallas
Sometimes a dangerous road condition, rather than another driver’s actions, causes a crash. A pothole or patch of loose gravel that a car passes over may cause a motorcycle rider to lose control.
Road hazards take many different forms. Examples include:
- Massive potholes left unrepaired for weeks or months.
- Uneven pavement or sudden drop-offs in construction zones.
- Debris left behind by commercial trucks or road crews.
- Slick steel plates placed over roadwork without proper warning signs.
Encountering any of these hazards can immediately result in severe injuries and massive property damage. When a crash is caused by poor road maintenance, the claim begins with identifying who was responsible for the road condition.
A road-maintenance claim against the City of Dallas or the Texas Department of Transportation needs a separate immunity review under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Counsel must identify the kind of defect, what the agency knew, what it did in response and which immunity exceptions apply. Even a record showing that officials knew about an unrepaired pothole does not settle whether the government can be held liable.
Tell counsel promptly if a public road condition contributed to your crash. Notice of a government claim may be due before the lawsuit itself. The Texas Tort Claims Act generally requires notice within six months, but a city’s valid local notice rule can set an earlier date. Ask counsel whether a legally sufficient actual-notice exception applies; proof that the government knew about the hazard alone is not enough.
When Defective Parts Cause Motorcycle Crashes
Mechanical failure can also cause a motorcycle crash. Riders depend on their brakes, tires, and steering components, whether the motorcycle is newly purchased or has just been repaired. A tire blowout at highway speed or brake failure while approaching an intersection can have devastating consequences.
Who made the part, and who installed it? Keep the purchase invoice and repair records so counsel can identify both. A defect that caused the crash may support a product-liability claim against the manufacturer. Careless installation may support a negligence claim against the mechanic. The investigation must connect each party’s work or product to the failure; a broken part alone does not identify the responsible party.
Strict product liability does not require proof that the manufacturer was careless, but the rider must still prove the required defect and causation elements. A design-defect claim generally also requires proof of a safer alternative design. Preserving the motorcycle in its post-crash condition allows qualified experts to examine the suspected defect.
Protecting Your Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Crash
Follow your medical team’s instructions after emergency treatment. If you are still recovering at home or in the hospital, a relative can help put your discharge papers, receipts and insurance letters in one place. You can begin preserving that information without going back to the intersection or highway where you were hurt.
As you are able, record what the crash has meant for your health and expenses. The following steps can help you or the person assisting you:
- Create a dedicated file folder to store all medical bills, discharge papers, and pharmacy receipts.
- Take clear, well-lit photographs of your visible injuries as they heal over time.
- Write down your memories of the crash details while they are still fresh in your mind.
- Take photos of your damaged motorcycle helmet, torn riding jacket, and broken boots, and preserve those items for possible inspection.
Gathering this evidence early provides a clear picture of how much the collision has cost you when you seek a motorcycle injury settlement. Before giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer, consider getting legal advice. An attorney can handle those communications on your behalf. You should still promptly notify your own insurer and follow your policy's notice and cooperation requirements.
FAQs for Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas, Texas
If you have recently been injured in a collision, you likely have several questions about your rights and your next steps.
What can cause motorcycle accidents in Dallas, and who is at fault?
A left turn across the rider’s path, a move into an occupied lane or a defect in the road may explain the collision. To assess fault, counsel needs to know which happened and what evidence supports that account. Responsibility can be shared. If a government entity is involved, the claim also has to meet the Texas Tort Claims Act’s requirements.
Can a city be held accountable for a road defect causing a crash?
Potentially, if the claim fits a waiver of immunity under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Ordinary premises-defect claims generally require that the agency actually knew of the dangerous condition and the rider did not. Qualifying special defects can involve conditions the agency knew or reasonably should have known about. Separate rules govern traffic-control devices and notice of the claim.
How does Texas law view fault if both parties made a mistake?
Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover financial compensation for your injuries as long as you are not more than 50 percent responsible for the collision. If you are partially at fault, your final financial recovery will simply be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
What evidence is best for proving the other driver failed to yield?
Start by identifying any intersection camera, dashcam or independent witness that may have captured the turn. A recording may show the signal or the vehicles’ positions, but its angle and timing matter. Reconstruction professionals can compare those accounts with damage to both vehicles and marks on the pavement. No single type of evidence answers every fault dispute.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a crash in Texas?
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 generally requires a personal injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the claim accrues, meaning when it legally arises. Exceptions can change that deadline, and government claims may have much earlier notice deadlines. Missing an applicable deadline can bar the claim.
How does wearing a helmet impact a liability claim if a negligent driver hits me?
Texas law requires riders under the age of 21 to wear a helmet, while riders age 21 or older who complete a qualifying Chapter 662 safety course or have health insurance covering motorcycle-collision injuries can legally ride without one. Helmet use and responsibility for causing the collision are different questions. Any argument that nonuse caused or worsened a particular injury requires evidence and a case-specific legal analysis. Counsel can evaluate the applicable rules and the injury evidence.
Related resources: Explore the Texas Motorcycle Accident Knowledge Hub and Texas Motorcycle Accident Claims and Litigation.
Contact a Board-Certified Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer Today
When you speak with a law firm after a motorcycle crash, ask who will investigate the cause, obtain the records and handle discussions with the insurer. Ask about trial experience as well as settlement work. You should understand who would be responsible for your case, how the firm would keep you informed and what its fee agreement requires before you hire it.
At The Law Offices of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C., our mission is to fight for the seriously injured. With over fifty personal injury cases tried before Texas juries and a proven track record of recovering millions for our clients, we have the trial-ready aggression to handle the most severe injury cases.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and let our dedicated team protect your legal rights.
ABOUT THE ATTORNEY
Aaron A. Herbert
Founding Attorney
Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law
Aaron founded The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert in 2010 to focus on developing each client's case and seeking its maximum value. For over a decade, he has represented people seriously injured in major accidents and industrial catastrophes, pursuing trial verdicts and settlements while working to reduce the stress of litigation.
Education
- Texas A&M University · B.S., Criminal Justice, 1999
- University of Oklahoma College of Law · J.D., 2002; graduated in the top of his class
Trial experience & approach
Aaron earned numerous jury verdicts at boutique personal injury litigation firms. According to his biography, he spent a year as the top-earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently appeared in verdict searches as having one of the highest numbers of trial wins in Texas. At another Dallas personal injury firm, he moved from managing pre-litigation attorney to managing litigation attorney over seven years as the firm grew into one of Dallas's largest personal injury firms.
His biography describes a reputation as one of America's most aggressive trial lawyers, with noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries and substantial pretrial settlements. Most of those settlements included confidentiality agreements requested by the defense. Aaron has said the recoveries were justified by the injuries and losses involved, which no amount of money could make someone choose to experience.
His approach combines passion, preparation, persistence and courtroom imagination. He believes a well-supported, engaged and motivated team working cooperatively helps deliver strong representation, with the goal of achieving the best possible result for every client.
Dallas roots, military service & publication
Born and raised in Dallas, Aaron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. He completed his university and law degrees after his military service and became a lifelong Sooners football fan in law school.
Publication: “Litigating Dog Bite Cases,” Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas, 2009.
Professional affiliations & recognition
Professional affiliations and recognition listed in Aaron’s biography:
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now American Association for Justice)
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Trial experience & approach
Aaron earned numerous jury verdicts at boutique personal injury litigation firms. According to his biography, he spent a year as the top-earning litigation attorney at a firm that frequently appeared in verdict searches as having one of the highest numbers of trial wins in Texas. At another Dallas personal injury firm, he moved from managing pre-litigation attorney to managing litigation attorney over seven years as the firm grew into one of Dallas's largest personal injury firms.
His biography describes a reputation as one of America's most aggressive trial lawyers, with noteworthy recoveries from judges and juries and substantial pretrial settlements. Most of those settlements included confidentiality agreements requested by the defense. Aaron has said the recoveries were justified by the injuries and losses involved, which no amount of money could make someone choose to experience.
His approach combines passion, preparation, persistence and courtroom imagination. He believes a well-supported, engaged and motivated team working cooperatively helps deliver strong representation, with the goal of achieving the best possible result for every client.
Dallas roots, military service & publication
Born and raised in Dallas, Aaron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and later received an Honorable Discharge. He completed his university and law degrees after his military service and became a lifelong Sooners football fan in law school.
Publication: “Litigating Dog Bite Cases,” Texas Dog Law Seminar, Dallas, 2009.
Professional affiliations & recognition
Professional affiliations and recognition listed in Aaron’s biography:
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now American Association for Justice)
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers