When cars collide with motorcycles, the outcome can turn serious—or even tragic—in an instant. Whether you’re a rider who regularly navigates busy Phoenix streets or someone who’s concerned for a motorcyclist in your life, knowing the most common collision types between cars and motorcycles can help you stay alert and safe. Let’s dive into which crash scenario happens most frequently in Arizona, why it occurs, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
The Most Common Type Of Collision Between Cars And Motorcycles
In 2023 alone, according to the 2023 Arizona Crash Facts Summary report, there were 3,165 motorcycle crashes, and a striking 62.5% of them involved another motor vehicle. These car-motorcycle collisions led to 154 fatal crashes and over 1,400 injury crashes. However, there is a clear pattern in the most common types of collisions between cars and motorcycles in Arizona:
- Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes, with 600 accidents, made up 28.60% of all motorcycle accidents and top the list, usually caused by distracted drivers, drivers following too closely, or simply failing to notice a motorcycle slowing down or stopping. These accidents often happen during daylight hours in heavy, urban traffic, when visibility should be at its best, but attention often isn’t. - Left-Turn Collisions
Left-turn collisions account for 25.64% of all accidents, with 538 accidents in 2023. They happen when a car turns directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, usually at intersections. Many drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is traveling or fail to spot it entirely, leading to a sudden and often deadly crash. - Angle Collisions
Angle collisions accounted for 17.45% of the total, with over 360 accidents having occurred. They usually involve a car striking a motorcycle from the side, either from running a stop sign, misjudging a gap in traffic, or failing to yield at a driveway or intersection. These types of crashes are especially common during busy daytime traffic. - Sideswipe (Same Direction) Collisions
Sideswipes in the same direction made up 15.92% of all car-motorcycle collisions. They often happen when a car changes lanes without properly checking mirrors or blind spots. For motorcyclists riding alongside larger vehicles, one careless lane change can have catastrophic consequences. - Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions, although less common with 3.15% of totals, are some of the deadliest. A motorcycle is usually traveling normally in its lane when a car crosses over from the opposite direction, leading to a devastating front-impact collision. Because motorcycles offer little protection in a head-on crash, the injuries are often catastrophic or fatal. - U-Turn Collisions
U-turn crashes accounted for 2.14% of the total and occur when a driver makes an illegal or unsafe U-turn without noticing a motorcycle approaching. In busy city areas, these split-second decisions can leave motorcyclists with no time to react.
Every one of these collisions shares a common thread: a moment where a driver didn’t see a motorcycle, didn’t expect it, or didn’t react fast enough. And when that happens, it’s usually the motorcyclist who pays the steepest price. Now that we’ve broken down the most common types of crashes, let’s look at what causes these collisions—and what drivers and riders can do to avoid becoming another statistic.
What Causes Most Car-Motorcycle Collisions?
The most common conflict between cars and motorcyclists in Arizona involves situations where drivers fail to properly notice or yield to motorcycles, particularly during rear-end collisions and left-turn maneuvers. A few common patterns of these accident causes stand out loud and clear.
- Driver Inattention and Distraction
One of the biggest culprits behind motorcycle accidents is simple distraction. Whether it’s a driver checking a text, adjusting the GPS, or just not paying enough attention, these lapses can make a motorcyclist practically invisible. Even a few seconds of looking away from the road can mean missing a rider in the next lane or one approaching an intersection. - Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way
Many drivers don’t expect motorcycles to be as close—or as fast—as they are. That misjudgment leads to countless accidents, especially during left turns at intersections. Arizona law makes it clear: drivers must yield the right-of-way when turning across traffic, but too often, motorcyclists get overlooked. - Speeding
Both drivers and motorcyclists can be guilty of speeding, though motorcyclists are involved at a slightly higher rate. But when a heavier vehicle strikes a motorcycle at high speed, the results are almost always catastrophic. Speed reduces reaction time and increases stopping distances, making it much harder to avoid a crash when every second counts. - Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs play a tragic role in far too many car-motorcycle crashes. Impairment slows reaction time, clouds judgment, and increases the likelihood of reckless behavior like weaving between lanes. In Arizona, strict DUI laws apply, but impaired drivers and riders still put everyone else at risk. - Unsafe Lane Changes
Every rider knows how quickly things can go wrong when a driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to spot, and drivers who don’t double-check before merging can sideswipe a motorcyclist in an instant. - Poor Visibility and Nighttime Driving
Although most crashes happen in daylight, accidents that occur at night tend to be more severe. Reduced visibility makes it even harder for drivers to spot motorcycles, especially on poorly lit roads or highways. Moreover, nighttime collisions often lead to more serious injuries because of reduced visibility.
When you look at the causes, it’s clear that most car-motorcycle collisions come down to simple, preventable mistakes. But knowing why crashes happen is only part of the picture—where they happen plays an equally important role in keeping riders safe.
What is the most likely place for car and motorcycle collisions to occur?
Based on the AZDOT analyzed data for the recent few years, the most likely location for car and motorcycle collisions in Arizona is clearly in urban areas, particularly at intersections during daylight hours.
In fact, nearly 79% of all motorcycle crashes involving cars happen in densely populated urban settings. Intersections within cities—especially those where vehicles frequently perform left turns, merge lanes, or face heavy congestion—pose the greatest risk, as drivers often fail to properly notice motorcycles amidst dense traffic. While urban intersections see the highest number of collisions, highways aren’t risk-free either. At higher speeds, even a minor mistake, like a missed blind spot check or an unsafe lane change.
The Consequences of Car-Motorcycle Collisions
When a car hits a motorcycle or a motorcycle hits a car, the rider almost always takes the hardest hit in both scenarios. Many motorcyclists suffer life-changing injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and deep soft-tissue injuries. In 2023 alone, car-motorcycle collisions accounted for 154 motorcycle fatalities across Arizona, highlighting just how deadly these crashes can be. Beyond the physical toll, the financial and emotional costs are enormous. Victims often face steep medical bills, long recoveries that keep them out of work, and long-term rehabilitation. Given how devastating these crashes can be, one of the first questions that comes up is who’s actually at fault—and how that decision affects your right to recover compensation.
Who’s to Blame After a Car-Motorcycle Crash—and What It Means for Your Case
In Arizona, when cars collide with motorcycles, fault typically lies with the driver of the car. These collisions often arise because drivers overlook motorcycles, misjudge distance, fail to yield the right-of-way, or become distracted by mobile phones or in-vehicle technology. Particularly in left-turn and rear-end crashes, investigations commonly conclude that car drivers violated traffic laws or acted negligently, placing them legally responsible for resulting damages and injuries.
Arizona operates under a “pure comparative negligence” system, meaning fault can be shared between both parties, but drivers are more frequently found liable due to clear right-of-way violations or inattentive driving. However, motorcyclists can also be at fault if they speed, maneuver recklessly, or violate traffic signals—actions which may diminish their compensation proportionally under state law. After a crash, gathering evidence is crucial. Photos, witness statements, police reports, and dashcam or surveillance footage can all make or break a case.
At Esquire Law, our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in Phoenix know exactly how to build a strong claim, prove fault, and fight back when insurance companies try to shift blame or undervalue what you deserve. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a car-motorcycle crash, getting the right legal help early can make all the difference in your recovery and your future. We’ll handle the legal pressure, so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you take the next step with confidence.