Wrongful Death Claims for Motorcycle Accidents in New Braunfels - Top Texas Attorneys

In 2024, 585 people lost their lives in Texas motorcycle accidents, a tragic but increasingly common outcome. On September 21, 2025, a five-vehicle crash claimed the life of a New Braunfels motorcyclist. When deadly accidents like this occur, families face emotional and financial losses. A compassionate local lawyer can help grieving families file a wrongful death claim for compensation.

Wrongful death claims require legal skill but also compassion, and the New Braunfels wrongful death lawyers at Carabin Shaw deliver both. With decades of experience, our legal team provides the guidance you need to make informed decisions after the death of a loved one. Read our client reviews to find out more about our professional and supportive legal services.

Although there were 15 fewer Texas motorcycle deaths in 2025 than in 2024, the average has been trending upward for decades, according to TxDOT. Twenty years ago, Texas motorcycle death rates barely reached 350. For the past three years, these numbers have exceeded 550.

In 2024, 216 of the 585 motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in Texas were not wearing helmets. While helmets inarguably save lives, Texas helmet law does not require riders to wear protective headgear if they’re over 21 years old, have completed a motorcycle safety course, and carry proper insurance.

These trends suggest that the reasons for the rise in motorcycle deaths in New Braunfels, Texas, may include helmet use, but are also a combination of:

• Driver error, including speeding and unsafe lane changes
• More motorcycles on the road, especially at intersections
• Increased general traffic, particularly on high-speed roads like I-35 and Hwy 46

A New Braunfels wrongful death claim will focus on driver behavior and argue that another party’s negligence caused the deadly motorcycle accident.

A negligent act in a motorcycle accident is one that breaches the person’s duty of care and causes harm. Negligent parties can include other drivers, employers, and third parties who should have acted differently to avoid harming others. A lawyer will collect evidence to prove another party’s negligence.

The family of a deceased motorcycle accident victim can still collect compensation even if their loved one was partially at fault. Your lawyer will have to prove that the victim’s fault did not exceed 50%. An example of shared fault may occur when a rider fails to wear a helmet or commits a traffic violation. The court may reduce compensation, but it will still hold at-fault parties proportionately liable for causing an accident.

An essential component of a wrongful death case is considering a client’s cause of action against the defendant. A fatal motorcycle accident lawyer may file both a wrongful death claim AND a survivor claim at the same time.

In a wrongful death claim:

• Only the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can file a claim.
• Damages are limited to those suffered by the family, including loss of support, companionship, and income.

In a survivor claim:

• Compensation may be paid to the heirs or the estate of the deceased victim.
• Damages include the personal injuries of the deceased as if the person were alive.

An experienced attorney will help you decide which type of claim(s) to file, so you can get full compensation for your losses.

It is common to wonder what to do after a fatal motorcycle accident when the victim is a family member. When to call a lawyer, how to collect evidence, and how to file a wrongful death lawsuit are areas in which most people have little to no experience. Managing legal issues while you are grieving can be overwhelming. That is why calling an attorney is one of the best first steps you can take.

At Carabin Shaw, we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis to eliminate the financial risk of a lawsuit. We don’t get paid unless you get paid so that you can seek worry-free and fair compensation for your losses. Contact us at 800-862-1260 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We have English- AND Spanish-speaking staff available to speak with you 24/7.

For more information:

• TX DoT
• Texas Statutes 661
• Texas Statutes 33