Media post: Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash? How to Protect Your Injury Claim

Mild winters in the Rio Grande Valley keep many McAllen riders on the road all year, sharing Expressway 83 and Nolana Avenue with heavy commuter traffic. When a driver turns across a rider’s path, the injuries are rarely minor. Texas law lets injured riders seek compensation from the at-fault driver, but that means proving fault and meeting state deadlines.

Many riders reach out to motorcycle accident lawyers in McAllen only after an adjuster takes a recorded statement or makes a low offer. The first few weeks after a crash shape the claim, and a few careful steps can keep your options open.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, 557 motorcyclists died and 2,468 were seriously injured in Texas crashes in 2025. TxDOT notes that many of these crashes involve drivers who never saw the bike, so building a claim starts with showing what the other driver failed to do.

Why Motorcycle Claims Get Extra Scrutiny

A rider has no steel frame, airbags, or seat belt. Even a low-speed collision can cause fractures, head injuries, or severe road rash, which means medical costs climb quickly. Larger claims draw more resistance from insurance companies.

A stubborn bias against riders also exists. Adjusters, and sometimes jurors, may assume a motorcyclist was speeding or weaving through traffic before any evidence comes in. That assumption often flips the story, but the rider usually bears the burden of proving otherwise.

Common Crash Patterns

Most motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle follow familiar patterns:

– A driver turns left in front of an oncoming rider at an intersection

– A car changes lanes without checking its blind spot

– A driver rear-ends a rider stopped at a light

– A vehicle pulls out of a parking lot or side street into the rider’s path

Each of these points to the other driver’s failure to yield or keep a proper lookout, which is the heart of most claims.

Steps That Protect Your Claim

If you are able, the steps you take right after the crash can make a big difference later.

– Call 911 so police respond and prepare a crash report.

– Photograph your bike, the other vehicle, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries.

– Collect names and phone numbers from witnesses before they leave.

– Avoid apologizing or guessing about your speed. Stick to the facts.

In the Days That Follow

Adrenaline can hide injuries for hours or even days. See a doctor promptly, and follow through with any treatment plan, because gaps in care give insurers a reason to question your injuries.

A few other habits help:

– Keep your damaged helmet, jacket, and gear instead of throwing them away.

– Request a copy of the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report through TxDOT once it is available.

– Be cautious about giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.

– Stay off social media about the crash. Photos of you riding or out with friends can be used against you.

Texas Rules That Affect Your Recovery

You don’t need to know every statute, but a few rules come up in nearly every motorcycle case.

Most injury lawsuits in Texas must be filed within two years of the crash. Missing that deadline usually ends the claim, no matter how strong it is.

Texas also divides fault between the parties. If you are found partly responsible, your award drops by that percentage. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover at all. This is why insurers work hard to shift blame onto riders.

Helmets are another frequent issue. Texas allows riders 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they meet certain training or health insurance requirements. Even so, an insurer may argue that going without one made a head injury worse.

Finally, Texas only requires drivers to carry $30,000 in liability coverage per injured person. That amount rarely covers a serious motorcycle injury. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy can fill some of the gap, so it is worth reviewing what you have.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Not every personal injury firm handles motorcycle cases often. When you talk with a lawyer, ask how many rider cases they have handled and how they counter the bias against motorcyclists. Ask whether they work with accident reconstruction experts when fault is disputed. You should also get a clear explanation of fees and how often you will hear about your case. A good fit explains your options plainly and doesn’t pressure you into a quick decision.

Moving Forward After a McAllen Motorcycle Crash

A motorcycle crash can change your health, your income, and your plans in a matter of seconds. The legal side shouldn’t add to that burden. Get medical care first, preserve what you can from the scene, and be careful about what you say to insurers. Keep the two-year deadline in mind, and don’t let assumptions about riders decide who was at fault. With good evidence and the right help, injured riders in Hidalgo County can hold careless drivers accountable and focus on recovering.