Sherman Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Sherman, Texas sits in Grayson County, just about 65 miles north of Dallas along U.S. Highway 75. The roads in and around Sherman, from the busy stretch of Highway 75 through town to the quieter county routes that wind past Lake Texoma, can be unforgiving for motorcycle riders. When a crash happens, the injuries are often severe, and the legal questions that follow can feel just as overwhelming as the physical recovery. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, based in Denton, Texas, represents injured riders and their families throughout North Texas, including Sherman and Grayson County. If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

Table of Contents

• Why Sherman Motorcycle Accidents Cause Such Serious Injuries
• Texas Laws That Protect Motorcycle Riders on Sherman Roads
• Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Crash in Sherman, Texas?
• The Two-Year Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Injury Claim in Texas
• What Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Does for Sherman Motorcycle Accident Victims
• FAQs About Sherman Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Why Sherman Motorcycle Accidents Cause Such Serious Injuries

Motorcycles offer no structural protection. There are no airbags, no steel frame surrounding the rider, and no seat belt to hold a person in place during a crash. When a car or truck hits a motorcycle, the rider absorbs the full force of the impact.

On average, one motorcyclist dies in a crash on Texas roads every day. In 2024, 581 riders lost their lives and 2,534 were seriously injured in crashes statewide. Those numbers come from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and they reflect a pattern that repeats itself on roads just like the ones running through Sherman.

Motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die per mile traveled than car occupants. That gap exists because riders are completely exposed. A minor collision that leaves a car driver with a sore neck can send a motorcycle rider to the hospital with broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or severe road rash.

The roads around Sherman create specific hazards. Highway 75 carries heavy commercial traffic through the heart of the city. FM 1417 and FM 691 connect Sherman to surrounding communities, and the intersections along these routes are where many crashes happen. TxDOT’s Share the Road campaign urges drivers to pay special attention at intersections because 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities happen at roadway intersections.

Injuries from these crashes often include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractured limbs, internal organ damage, and deep lacerations. Many riders face months of surgery and rehabilitation. Some never fully recover. The financial toll, including medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care costs, can reach six or seven figures quickly. That is why having the right legal representation from the start makes such a difference.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understands the physical and financial pressure that follows a serious motorcycle crash. Our team is ready to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call (940) 800-2500 today.

Texas Laws That Protect Motorcycle Riders on Sherman Roads

Texas law gives motorcycle riders clear legal protections, and understanding those protections is the first step toward building a strong injury claim after a crash in Sherman.

Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.0605, added by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023, a motorcycle operator is entitled to the full use of a lane. A motor vehicle may not be driven in a way that deprives a motorcycle of that full lane. This law directly addresses one of the most common causes of crashes, which is when a car driver drifts into a motorcycle’s lane or tries to share it without permission.

That same statute makes lane splitting illegal in Texas. A motorcycle operator may not pass a motor vehicle while in the same lane as the vehicle being passed, and may not operate between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in a single lane, but no more than two.

More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles. Drivers simply do not see the motorcycle or misjudge its distance and speed. The small size of motorcycles can make them appear farther away than they actually are. When a driver violates a motorcycle’s right to a full lane, causes a left-turn collision, or runs a red light at an intersection near the Grayson County Courthouse or along Travis Street in Sherman, that driver may be held liable under Texas negligence law.

Texas also requires all riders under 21 to wear a helmet. Riders 21 and older may qualify for an exemption if they carry a certain level of health insurance coverage or have completed an approved motorcycle safety course. Even when a rider legally rides without a helmet, that fact alone does not bar a recovery if another driver caused the crash.

The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys know how to apply these statutes to the specific facts of your crash. We gather the evidence, identify the violations, and build a case that holds the right parties accountable.

Who Is Liable for a Motorcycle Crash in Sherman, Texas?

Liability in a Texas motorcycle accident case comes down to negligence. Negligence means that a person failed to act with reasonable care, and that failure caused your injuries. Identifying who was negligent is the foundation of every motorcycle injury claim.

The most common at-fault party is another driver. Negligent or inattentive drivers often cause motorcycle accidents in Texas. A frequent scenario involves drivers turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, failing to notice the rider, or misjudging their speed. On roads like Highway 82 or near the Sherman Town Center area, these left-turn crashes happen with alarming regularity.

Other potentially liable parties include the following. A trucking company may be responsible if one of its drivers caused the crash. A government entity may be liable if a dangerous road condition, like a pothole on a Sherman city street or a poorly maintained intersection on a county road near Lake Texoma, contributed to the accident. A motorcycle or parts manufacturer may be responsible if a defective component, such as faulty brakes or a bad tire, caused the rider to lose control.

Texas uses a proportionate responsibility system under Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Under Section 33.001, a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent. If you are found to be 30 percent at fault and the other driver is 70 percent at fault, your damages are reduced by your share. Insurance companies often try to inflate a rider’s percentage of fault to reduce or eliminate the payout. Having an attorney who knows this system is critical.

Damages in a successful motorcycle injury claim can include medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. If a loved one was killed in a crash, a wrongful death claim may be available to surviving family members under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71.

The Two-Year Deadline for Filing a Motorcycle Injury Claim in Texas

Texas law sets a firm deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a motorcycle accident. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong your case is.

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, a person must bring suit for personal injury not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues. In most motorcycle crash cases, the clock starts running on the date of the accident. A person must bring suit not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues in an action for injury resulting in death, and the cause of action accrues on the death of the injured person.

Two years sounds like a long time, but it disappears quickly. Recovering from serious injuries takes months. Medical treatment, physical therapy, and surgeries consume your attention. Meanwhile, evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and surveillance footage gets deleted. The earlier you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving the evidence needed to win.

There are limited exceptions that can extend or pause the two-year clock. If the injured person is a minor, the statute of limitations may be tolled until the minor turns 18. If the at-fault party is a government entity, such as the City of Sherman or Grayson County, you may be required to file a formal notice of claim within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act before you can even file a lawsuit. Missing that shorter deadline can kill your case before it starts.

Do not wait to get legal help. The team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys in Denton is ready to act quickly on your behalf. Call (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your accident so we can start protecting your rights right away.

What Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Does for Sherman Motorcycle Accident Victims

Handling a motorcycle injury claim on your own puts you at a serious disadvantage. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They will record your statements, look for inconsistencies, and use anything they can to reduce what they owe you. Having an attorney changes that dynamic completely.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles every part of the claims process for Sherman motorcycle accident victims. We start by conducting a thorough investigation of the crash. That means gathering the police report from the Sherman Police Department or Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, collecting witness statements, obtaining any available traffic or business surveillance footage, and working with accident reconstruction professionals when the facts are disputed.

About 61 percent of fatalities occur between May and October, with Saturdays the deadliest day, and speeding, failure to yield, and alcohol contribute to a large share of fatal crashes. We examine all contributing factors, including whether the at-fault driver was distracted, impaired, or speeding at the time of the crash. Each of these factors affects the strength of your claim and the amount of compensation available.

We handle all communications with the insurance company so you do not have to. We calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical costs and long-term lost earning capacity, not just the bills you have right now. We negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement, and we are fully prepared to take your case to trial in Grayson County District Court if a fair resolution cannot be reached.

Past results in other cases cannot guarantee a specific outcome in your case, because every case turns on its own facts and applicable law. What we can tell you is that we take every motorcycle injury case seriously and fight hard for every client we represent. If you were hurt on a Sherman road, you deserve a team that will stand in your corner from day one. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation.

FAQs About Sherman Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

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

Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash involved a government vehicle or a poorly maintained government road, you may need to file a formal notice of claim within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your claim, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your accident is essential.

Can I still recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet during the crash?

Possibly, yes. Texas law allows riders 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they meet certain insurance or training requirements. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar your recovery if another driver caused the crash. However, under Texas’s proportionate responsibility rules in Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, a jury could assign you a percentage of fault for your injuries if the lack of a helmet worsened them. An attorney can help you understand how this may affect your specific claim.

What if the driver who hit me does not have enough insurance to cover my injuries?

If the at-fault driver carries minimal liability coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may step in to cover the gap. Texas law does not require UM/UIM coverage, but insurers are required to offer it, and many riders carry it. There may also be other parties who share liability, such as a trucking company, a road maintenance contractor, or a vehicle manufacturer. An attorney can identify all available sources of recovery so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

Is lane splitting legal in Texas, and could it affect my claim?

Lane splitting is not legal in Texas. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.0605, added by House Bill 4122 in 2023, a motorcycle operator may not pass a motor vehicle while in the same lane as the vehicle being passed and may not operate between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. If you were lane splitting at the time of your crash, an insurance company will likely argue that you share fault. That does not mean you cannot recover, but it does mean the proportionate responsibility analysis becomes critical. A lawyer can help you assess how this factor affects your case.

What types of compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Sherman?

Texas law allows injured motorcycle riders to seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and costs to repair or replace your motorcycle. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct, exemplary damages may also be available under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 41. The total value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your prognosis, and the specific facts of your case.

Content prepared by Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office located in Denton, Texas. Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross. This page is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Results in any prior matter do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case, as each case depends on its own facts and applicable law.