Texas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Texas Department of Transportation motorcycle crash data for 2008 lists 534 fatal crashes, 6,490 serious injury crashes, 2,375 minor injury, 1,144 non-injury crashes, and another 95 crashes in which the injury factor is unknown.

As a state known for its wide-open spaces, Texas separates crash statistics into rural and urban categories. Of the fatal motorcycle crashes last year, 208 occurred in rural areas, 306 in urban areas. For serious injury crashes, the respective figures were 2,132 and 4,358, for minor injury crashes, 601 and 1,774, and for non-injury crashes, 317 and 827. The unknown injury category lists 23 rural and 72 urban crashes.

Fatal and Injury Accidents - 2004 - 2008
	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Fatal Crashes	295	377	354	417	534
Serious Injury Crashes	4,178	4,882	5,360	5,340	6,490
Other Injury Crashes	1,456	1,881	1,812	2,039	2,375
Non-injury Crashes	654	845	846	920	1,144
Unknown Injury Crashes	55	78	79	109	95

Safety Training is Available

In an effort to reduce these tragic statistics, the Motorcycle Safety Unit of the Texas Department of Public Safety Training Academy manages training programs in the safe operation of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and mopeds. The unit also certifies moped drivers to operate on public streets.

It's no secret that motorcyclists are more vulnerable in crashes than drivers of other vehicles, but differences among motorcycles can affect the results of crashes. Statistics show that smaller motorcycles are more frequently involved in crashes, but the riders of larger motorcycles statistically suffer more serious injuries.

Many Drivers Don't See Motorcycles

Motorcycle size makes a difference in another crash-related factor. Many automobile drivers involved in crashes with motorcycles say they didn't see the motorcycle until it was too late. Surveys show that the larger the motorcycle, the more visible it is to automobile drivers. Motorcycles with options such as windshields and saddlebags are more likely to be seen than those without them.

Speak to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Even if you've completed a safety course and do everything right, you may still be the victim of a crash while riding your motorcycle. If that happens, contact an experienced personal injury attorney with knowledge of the special nature of motorcycle crashes.

The motorcycle accident lawyers of Proner & Proner have experience helping victims of Texas motorcycle accidents.