Motorcycle Head Injury Lawyers Who Mean Business
Fighting for Texas riders facing concussions, brain bleeds, and lasting trauma
On Houston’s crowded highways, from I-45 to the Katy Freeway, even a minor motorcycle crash can cause serious head trauma. A helmet may save your life, but it can’t always prevent concussions, brain swelling, or long-term cognitive damage. These injuries are invisible to the eye, but they change how victims think, move, and live every day.
For more than 30 years, the motorcycle head injury lawyers at Smith & Hassler have stood up for Texas motorcyclists who suffered devastating head and brain injuries. We’ve seen how concussions, TBIs, and brain bleeds impact everything, from work and relationships to independence and confidence.
Our Houston motorcycle accident lawyers know the stakes when a crash leaves lasting damage. We fight to hold negligent drivers and their insurers accountable, demanding full compensation so riders can focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives. If you were injured, schedule a free consultation today to discuss your case. You pay no fees unless we win, and our team is ready to fight for the justice you deserve.
FAQs about Motorcycle Accident Head Injuries
- What are the most common types of motorcycle accidents that cause head injuries in Texas?
- What are common types of motorcycle accident head injuries?
- What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury after a motorcycle crash?
- When should I see a doctor after hitting my head in a motorcycle accident?
- Can I have a brain injury even if I was wearing a helmet?
- How are motorcycle accident head injuries diagnosed and treated?
- What is the recovery process for a concussion or TBI after a motorcycle crash?
- Who can be held liable for a motorcycle accident head injury in Texas?
- Does health insurance cover treatment for motorcycle-related brain injuries?
- How do insurance companies try to low-ball motorcycle brain injury payouts?
- What factors influence head injury payouts after Texas motorcycle accidents?
- How long do I have to file a claim for a motorcycle head injury in Texas?
- Can I get compensation for emotional or cognitive changes after a brain injury?
- Why should I hire Smith & Hassler for my motorcycle head injury case?
What are the most common types of motorcycle accidents that cause head injuries in Texas?
When a rider’s head strikes pavement, a vehicle, or another hard surface, the force can cause the brain to shift or collide with the skull. This sudden movement can result in swelling, bleeding, or bruising of the brain. All these injuries are commonly referred to as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even properly fitted helmets cannot always prevent this kind of damage in a high-impact crash.
Head and brain injuries are more common on Houston’s busiest roads, including I-45, U.S. 59, Beltway 8, and I-10, where traffic congestion and speeding create constant risk. The most frequent types of motorcycle accidents that cause head injuries include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Left-turn crashes at intersections
- Lane-change or sideswipe accidents
- Single-vehicle crashes caused by road hazards
- High-speed or multi-vehicle collisions
Some head injuries are immediately obvious, while others take hours or days to show symptoms. That delay can be dangerous both medically and legally. Seeking medical attention right away protects your health, and contacting a lawyer early ensures your rights are preserved before an insurance company tries to minimize your claim.
What are common types of motorcycle accident head injuries?
Head trauma from a motorcycle accident can take many forms, and no two injuries are exactly alike. Understanding the range of possibilities helps explain why these cases are often complex and high-value.
Common types of motorcycle head and brain injuries include:
- Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI): A concussion occurs when the brain is jolted or shaken inside the skull, often from sudden deceleration or impact with the road. Riders may feel dazed, dizzy, or confused, and symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating can last for weeks.
- Skull fracture: When the force of impact cracks or breaks the skull, bone fragments can press into the brain or surrounding tissue. These injuries are serious and often accompanied by swelling, bleeding, or cerebrospinal fluid leakage from the nose or ears.
- Brain bleed (intracranial hemorrhage): A brain bleed happens when blood vessels rupture inside the skull. Internal bleeding increases pressure on the brain, which can cause loss of consciousness, nausea, or weakness on one side of the body. Without emergency treatment, it can become fatal.
- Brain swelling (edema): Inflammation or fluid buildup after impact causes the brain to swell within the skull, leading to dangerous pressure that restricts oxygen supply. Victims may experience confusion, vomiting, or worsening headaches as pressure increases.
- Diffuse axonal injury: This occurs when the brain moves violently inside the skull, stretching and tearing nerve fibers. It is common in high-speed crashes or when riders are thrown from their motorcycles. Victims often lose consciousness immediately and may remain in a coma for extended periods.
- Penetrating head trauma: In rare but devastating cases, debris or metal fragments penetrate the skull during a crash. These injuries require emergency surgery and can lead to permanent neurological damage, paralysis, or memory loss.
Even when symptoms seem minor, motorcycle head and brain injuries can have hidden and lasting consequences. Early diagnosis, careful monitoring, and legal guidance are essential to protecting both your health and your right to compensation.
What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury after a motorcycle crash?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often develop quietly after a crash, with symptoms appearing hours or even days later. Because motorcycle riders have limited protection, any head impact, even with a helmet, can cause serious brain trauma. Recognizing these warning signs early is important for both medical recovery and building a strong legal case.
- Physical symptoms: Persistent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, and loss of coordination.
- Cognitive symptoms: Confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or slowed thinking.
- Emotional symptoms: Irritability, mood swings, depression, or anxiety.
- Sensory symptoms: Ringing in the ears, light sensitivity, or changes in taste or smell.
- Severe signs: Loss of consciousness, seizures, or vomiting after the accident.
If any of these symptoms appear after a motorcycle crash, seek immediate medical attention. A lawyer can then use your medical documentation and treatment timeline to connect the injury directly to the collision and strengthen your claim.
When should I see a doctor after hitting my head in a motorcycle accident?
You should see a doctor immediately after any motorcycle crash that involves head impact, even if you feel fine. Many riders on Houston roads like I-45, U.S. 59, and FM 1960 experience delayed symptoms from concussions or internal brain bleeding that do not appear until hours or days later. Emergency evaluation with imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI can detect injuries before they worsen. Prompt medical documentation also connects your injury directly to the crash, which is essential for your legal claim.
Can I have a brain injury even if I was wearing a helmet?
Yes. Helmets protect against skull fractures and severe trauma, but they cannot stop the brain from moving inside the skull during impact. Riders hit on the Katy Freeway or Loop 610 often suffer concussions or diffuse axonal injuries caused by sudden deceleration, even with a full-face helmet. These invisible injuries can cause memory problems, dizziness, or mood changes. A lawyer can use medical evidence to prove your brain injury was caused by the crash, even if insurance companies argue otherwise.
How are motorcycle accident head injuries diagnosed and treated?
Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are important in head injury cases. In Houston, trauma centers such as Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist often perform extensive evaluations after motorcycle crashes to identify internal brain damage. Early testing not only improves recovery but also provides medical evidence that supports an injury claim.
- Initial examination: Doctors assess cognitive function, reflexes, and consciousness level.
- Imaging tests: CT scans or MRIs reveal brain bleeding, swelling, or fractures.
- Neurological evaluation: Specialists track changes in memory, mood, and coordination over time.
- Treatment plan: Depending on severity, care may include hospitalization, medication, therapy, or surgery.
- Rehabilitation: Long-term recovery often involves physical, occupational, or speech therapy to regain lost abilities.
Thorough documentation from each stage of treatment helps establish the true scope of your injury. A lawyer familiar with TBI claims can work with your medical providers to ensure these records fully support your case.
What is the recovery process for a concussion or TBI after a motorcycle crash?
Recovery depends on the injury’s severity and how quickly treatment begins. Many Houston riders require weeks of rest, physical therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation to regain focus and balance. Severe TBIs may involve long-term therapy at facilities like TIRR Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. Ongoing treatment is expensive, so working with an attorney ensures these future costs are fully factored into your settlement.
Who can be held liable for a motorcycle accident head injury in Texas?
Determining liability is one of the most important parts of any motorcycle head injury case. Texas law allows injured riders to pursue compensation from anyone whose negligence contributed to the crash. Identifying all liable parties can increase the total recovery available and prevent insurers from minimizing payouts.
- Negligent drivers: Motorists who speed, text, fail to yield, or drive under the influence.
- Commercial vehicle operators: Trucking or delivery companies responsible for their employees’ actions.
- Vehicle manufacturers: Companies that produced defective parts, helmets, or safety equipment.
- Government entities: Cities or counties responsible for unsafe road conditions or missing traffic signals.
- Other third parties: Maintenance contractors or businesses that created hazards in the roadway.
Pinpointing responsibility requires investigation and access to expert resources. A motorcycle accident lawyer can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build the liability case necessary to secure full compensation.
Does health insurance cover treatment for motorcycle-related brain injuries?
Health insurance typically covers initial treatment for motorcycle-related TBIs, including hospital care, surgery, and rehabilitation, but coverage is rarely straightforward. In Houston, hospitals often bill both health and motorcycle insurers, causing confusion about who pays first. Insurers may later demand reimbursement from your settlement, a process called subrogation. A lawyer can negotiate with insurers, challenge excessive bills, and make sure you keep as much of your recovery as possible.
How do insurance companies try to low-ball motorcycle brain injury payouts?
Brain injuries are among the most contested claims after a motorcycle crash. Because these injuries do not always show up on standard imaging right away, insurers often argue that the symptoms are exaggerated or unrelated to the accident. They may suggest a preexisting condition or push for a fast, low settlement before the full diagnosis is known.
Our legal team knows these tactics well. We work closely with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists to prove how a concussion or traumatic brain injury has affected your life. We gather medical records, diagnostic scans, and expert testimony to counter insurance company narratives and demand the compensation you are owed.
We also make sure your claim accounts for the full extent of your losses, not just the visible ones. From cognitive decline and fatigue to emotional trauma, every aspect of your injury matters when determining the value of your case.
What factors influence head injury payouts after Texas motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle head injury claims often result in some of the highest personal injury settlements because brain trauma affects every part of life: health, work, and long-term independence. While exact numbers depend on each case, serious head injury settlements in Texas can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on the extent of brain damage and the quality of evidence presented.
Several factors determine how much a motorcycle accident head injury case is worth:
- Severity of the injury: Traumatic brain injuries, brain bleeds, and diffuse axonal injuries typically yield higher settlements than mild concussions.
- Length of recovery: Longer treatment and rehabilitation periods increase medical expenses and wage losses.
- Extent of disability: Permanent cognitive or physical impairments add significant long-term value to a claim.
- Medical documentation: Clear records and expert evaluations strengthen the case against insurers.
- Insurance coverage: Available policy limits and liable parties affect the total compensation possible.
- Legal representation: Experienced trial lawyers who prepare cases for court often secure stronger settlements.
Insurance companies routinely try to settle head injury cases for less than their true value, arguing that symptoms are exaggerated or preexisting. Smith & Hassler’s attorneys counter these tactics with medical experts, neuroimaging evidence, and financial impact analyses to prove the full cost of the injury.
When the damage is permanent, the settlement must be too, covering not just today’s bills but the years of care, therapy, and lost income that follow. Our firm fights to make sure victims and their families receive compensation that reflects the lifelong consequences of a motorcycle brain injury.
How long do I have to file a claim for a motorcycle head injury in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the crash. Waiting too long can bar you from recovering any compensation, even if the driver was clearly at fault. Evidence like crash reports from HPD or Harris County deputies on I-10 or U.S. 290 can disappear quickly, so early action is critical. A lawyer can immediately preserve that evidence and start building your case before the deadline passes.
Can I get compensation for emotional or cognitive changes after a brain injury?
Yes. Texas law allows victims to recover damages for the emotional and cognitive effects of a brain injury, including anxiety, depression, memory loss, and personality changes. These symptoms are common among riders injured in high-speed crashes on the Sam Houston Tollway or North Freeway. Proving these losses often requires neuropsychological evaluations and testimony from family or coworkers. An attorney can coordinate expert evaluations to show how the injury has changed your life and demand full compensation for those invisible harms.
Why should I hire Smith & Hassler for my motorcycle head injury case?
Head injury claims demand experience, persistence, and a deep understanding of both Texas law and the medical science behind brain trauma. Smith & Hassler has built its reputation over three decades by holding negligent drivers and insurers accountable for catastrophic injuries across Houston and Southeast Texas.
- Proven results: More than $1 billion recovered for injured Texans.
- Focused experience: Decades of success handling motorcycle and brain injury cases.
- Aggressive advocacy: Insurance companies know our trial record and take our clients seriously.
- Local insight: Deep knowledge of Houston-area courts, roads, and crash patterns.
- Client commitment: Free consultations, no upfront fees, and payment only if we win.
A lawyer’s experience can determine how much compensation you recover. With Smith & Hassler, you have a legal team that knows how to turn a devastating injury into a path toward justice and recovery.
Your fight for recovery starts here
Smith & Hassler has recovered more than $1 billion for injured Texans, including motorcyclists who refused to let insurance companies decide what their cases were worth. For over three decades, our firm has fought, and won, for Houston’s injured.
If you’re coping with the effects of a motorcycle head injury, you don’t have to face recovery or insurers alone. Contact us for a free consultation. You pay no fees unless we win your case. We’ll handle the fight so you can focus on healing, recovery, and getting back on the road.