Mesa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle crashes are tragically common in Mesa and throughout Arizona, where scenic roads often attract motorcyclists. Unfortunately, the heavy traffic in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area increases the risk of motorcycle-related injuries or fatalities, especially since motorcycles lack the protective features of motor vehicles, like seatbelts and steel frames. Injured bikers may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and other damages caused by the negligence of others on the road.

Choosing a Mesa motorcycle accident attorney with extensive experience and a track record of success can make a significant difference in your case.

Is Lane Filtering Safe in Arizona?

Arizona allows motorcyclists to engage in lane filtering, which involves riding between lanes of traffic. However, drivers often fail to exercise due care, leading to crashes caused by distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, or other negligent behavior. Insurance companies may attempt to argue that lane filtering bikers are responsible for their injuries. A skilled Mesa motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and challenge these unfair biases from difficult insurance carriers. To learn more, schedule a free consultation by phone or submit an online contact form.

Importance of Wearing Motorcycle Helmets

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets significantly reduce the risk of accident-related injuries and fatalities. Motorcycle helmets significantly reduce the risk of severe head trauma and traffic-related fatalities in the event of a wreck. Despite these protections, insurers may argue that a motorcycle rider’s failure to wear a helmet contributed to their injuries or death. An experienced Mesa motorcycle accident attorney can counter these arguments and ensure fair treatment for injured bikers or surviving family members.

Common Causes of Vehicle-Motorcycle Collisions

Crashes involving motorcycle riders may occur under a wide array of circumstances, often due to the negligence of other drivers. Understanding the common causes of motorcycle collisions can help bikers stay vigilant and protect themselves on the road.

• Driver Inattention: Many collisions occur because other drivers fail to notice bikers, especially in high-traffic areas. Distractions such as talking on the phone, texting, or adjusting in-vehicle systems may prevent drivers from seeing motorcyclists.
• Left-Turn Accidents: One of the most dangerous situations for motorcycle riders occurs when a vehicle makes a left turn at an intersection. Motorists often misjudge the distance or speed of an approaching motorcyclist, leading to devastating wrecks.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than motor vehicles, making them particularly vulnerable to drivers who change lanes without properly checking blind spots or using turn signals.
• Driving Under the Influence: Drug or alcohol impairment can affect judgment, reaction time, vision, motor coordination, and overall driving ability such as maintaining lane position. This may pose a significant danger for motorcycle riders and others on the road.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way is a leading cause of motorcycle crashes, often occurring when motorists disregard right-of-way rules at intersections or when merging, putting motorcyclists at serious risk of injury.
• Speeding: Drivers who are excessively speeding post a significant danger to bikers as it reduces reaction times and increases the severity of wrecks. For motorcyclists, who have less protection caused than vehicle occupants, collisions caused by speeding often results in injuries or fatalities.
• Road Defects: Poor road conditions like uneven pavement, debris, and potholes are more dangerous for motorcycles, as they have less stability than motor vehicles. The public entity responsible for road design and maintenance may be liable for damages from roadway defects.

Motorcycle riders are often at a disadvantage due to their size and lack of physical protection. When wrecks occur due to another party’s negligence, injured motorcyclists may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, wage loss, and other damages.

Common Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Wrecks

The injuries sustained in car versus motorcycle collisions may lead to life-altering emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Below are some of the most common motorcycle-related injuries in traffic accidents:

• Burns
• Road rash
• Bone fractures
• Internal injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Motorcycle-related injuries may require costly medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care, which may impact a rider’s quality of life. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Mesa can help ensure that an injured biker receives the compensation they need for recovery.

Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Crash

An injured motorcyclist may be eligible to receive various types of compensation after a vehicle-motorcycle collision, including:

• Economic Damages: An injured biker may be entitled to reimbursement for medical bills, lost income, and other losses associated with the incident and resulting injuries.
• Non-Economic Damages: Loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life may be recovered in a bodily injury claim for a motorcycle accident.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme recklessness, courts may award damages for the sole purpose of punishing the defendant. Punitive damages may be appropriate in motorcycle accident cases where the at-fault party was driving while impaired or excessively speeding.

Working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Mesa can help an injured biker hold the at-fault party accountable and seek maximum compensation for their damages.

How an Attorney Can Help After a Fatal Vehicle-Motorcycle Collision

A fatal car versus motorcycle crash is a devastating event that often leaves families dealing with grief and financial hardship. An experienced Mesa motorcycle accident attorney can assist by conducting an independent investigation, collecting evidence, building a strong case, and holding the at-fault party accountable. Legal counsel can also negotiate with difficult insurance carriers to ensure surviving family members receive maximum compensation for funeral costs, mental anguish, loss of companionship, end-of-life medical bills, and other associated losses.

Filing Deadlines for Motorcycle Accident Cases in Arizona

In Arizona, personal injury and wrongful death claims must be filed within specific time limits. Under Arizona law, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of loss in most cases. However, claims against government entities have shorter deadlines. The time limit to file a notice of claim with the appropriate public agency is 180 days from the date of the crash. Prompt legal action is important to preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation. To learn more, contact an experienced motorcycle injury lawyer near you.

Why Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Matters for Motorcycle Riders

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) is important for motorcycle riders, as it provides financial protection in crashes caused by drivers who lack sufficient insurance. Given the high medical costs and potential loss of income associated with crashes, UM and UIM protection may step in to cover losses not fully covered by the at-fault party’s insurance policy or if they have no active coverage at all. A skilled Mesa motorcycle accident attorney can help by investigating the incident, gathering evidence, negotiating with insurers, and securing full compensation.

Contact a Mesa Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Navigating the aftermath of a vehicle-motorcycle collision may be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. If you or a family member were injured in a crash, our Mesa motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help. Book a free consultation at (602) 777-3300. Our legal team is dedicated to advocating for our clients and helping them recover the compensation needed to move forward. Let us protect your rights, hold at-fault parties accountable, and help you rebuild your life during this difficult time.