Motorcycle accidents can result in life-changing wounds and injuries. In the case of an accident, motorcycle riders have very little protection other than their gear. If a car or truck collides with a motorcyclist, the biker may experience head injuries, back injuries, fractures, and severe road rash. Esquire Law fights for the rights of wounded motorcyclists and passengers. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Arizona or Utah, you deserve a motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our lawyers at (801)-528-7890 to receive assistance for your motorcycle accident case.
What You Should Know About Motorcycle Accidents
Many people believe motorcyclists love to take risks and often put the blame on them, but that’s simply not true. Most motorcycle accidents happen at the hands of inattentive, aggressive, or drunk drivers.
According to the National Safety Council, motorcycle crashes account for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, a significant amount of these collisions happen in Arizona and Utah.
But what causes these accidents? Well, most boil down to bad driving.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Motorists failing to check for motorcycles
- Motorists failing to check for motorcycles in adjacent lanes
- Motorists driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Running stop lights or stop signs
- Head-On Collisions
- Left-Turning and Corner-Turning Vehicles
- Lane Splitting
- Aggressive driving
- Drowsy driving
Experiencing a motorcycle accident is traumatizing and financially draining. A motorcycle accident can also lead to life-long injuries such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury (TBI). In severe cases, a motorcyclist’s injuries may be fatal.
Legal Rights and Protections for Motorcyclists
Motorcyclists who have been injured in a collision are entitled to recover compensation from the negligent party.
Under Arizona’s current law for lane filtering, the operator of a motorcycle may overtake and pass another vehicle that is 1) stopped in the same direction of travel, and 2) in the same lane as the motorcycle operator, so long as the movement may be made safely, and if the motorcycle operator does both of the following:
- Operates the motorcycle on a street that both:
- Is divided into at least two adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel on surface streets only.
- Has a speed limit that does not exceed forty-five miles per hour
- The motorcycle operator, travels at a speed that does not exceed fifteen miles per hour.
Exclusions to Arizona’s Lane Filtering Law:
- TWO-WHEELED MOTORCYCLES ONLY: This law only applies to two-wheeled motorcycles. Lane filtering is not permitted for vehicles such as Trikes, Spyders, Slingshots, and Ural Sidecar Riders
- SINGLE LANED ROADS: Lane filtering is not permitted on roads that have less than two lanes of traffic. So, riding in the bicycle lane, or only the shoulder of the road on a single-lane road will not be permitted
- FREEWAYS PROHIBITED – Arizona lane filtering laws does not extend to freeways. As such, lane filtering on roads such as I-17 is prohibited.
As a motorcyclist, you have legal rights. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Esquire Law. Our team can help you fight for your right to recover damages following a motorcycle accident and will go all the way to court if we have to.
Choosing the Right Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Selecting the right motorcycle accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Consider factors such as experience and a track record of success when making your decision.
Insurance companies never have your best interest in mind. That’s why you need a lawyer on your side to advocate for you.
At Esquire Law, we never settle for a low settlement. By reviewing crucial evidence and case information, we piece together a strong case that will cover your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and more.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Negotiate With Insurance
The last thing you want to deal with after an accident is an insurance adjuster. Insurance companies will try to minimize your claim as much as possible so they can profit. Our experienced motorcycle crash lawyers understand the tactics used by insurance companies and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Gather & Present Evidence
The best way to secure maximum compensation for your claim is through evidence. Essential pieces of evidence like a police report, photos, witness statements, and security camera footage can all impact your case and help achieve a higher settlement.
Go to Trial
Some motorcycle accidents may require litigation. Esquire Law has been helping motorcycle accident victims achieve substantial settlements throughout the years. Just take a look at our track record—we’ve helped hundreds of clients win hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Recovering after a motorcycle accident is not easy and is often a huge financial burden. Esquire Law’s motorcycle accident attorneys help compensate for three different types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the quantifiable losses incurred as a result of a motorcycle accident. These damages often include past and future medical expenses, lost income, and property damage. Ongoing physical therapy treatments and medications are also a part of this.
Non-Economic Damages
Injuries might not always be visible. Non-economic damages refer to losses not tied to a monetary value. These include losses like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and a decrease in quality of life.
Punitive Damages
Although rare, punitive damages may be awarded. This compensation is a type of punishment against the at-fault party for their negligent and reckless behavior.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Esquire Law
4747 North 22nd Street Suite 300, Phoenix
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Esquire Law took all of the stress off of us with quick maximum compensation. They handled everything professionally and stayed in constant contact with us, making sure we understood the whole process. They are aggressive but compassionate and will get you the compensation you deserve. Kyle Allen … More and Bruno were awesome and made sure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this law firm.
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I certainly was lost when I found myself in the hands of Esquire law. My Insurance ghosted me about my accident. I had a smooth experience and very informative experience. Esquire kept in good communication with me throughout the whole process. I started out with Rachel and I end with Barbara. Both attorneys … More were HIGHLY efficient and my favorite part was that they were straight forward with me. No run around. No big attorney BS. Barbara you go sister! Throughout the whole process I also had the pleasure in dealing with Abigail. What a phenomenal communicator as well. I know being a paralegal cannot be easy. But she is very well spoken and highly efficient. Really think this law firm doesn't get enough advertisement. Thank you all so much. I believe I spoke with Kyle once or twice too. Either way everyone i talk to was familiar enough to answer my questions and that meant a lot.
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Esquire law is awesome. They contact you keep you informed and are fast on their actions. They work hard for their clients most appreciated. Thank you so much, though I went with another law firm first which ended up losing contact with me and left me unable to contact them with their contact information. … More Esquire law did nothing like that. They were awesome stayed in contact with me getting better results than expected definitely recommend esquire law
Frequently Asked Questions
The first thing you should do after a motorcycle accident is to seek medical attention. You should also collect important information if you can. Things like the driver’s information, pictures of the scene, and witness phone numbers will all play a vital role in your case. Make sure the police arrive on the scene to make a police report.
Anyone who was operating the vehicle at the time of the accident can be held liable. Pedestrians, insurance companies, and public entities may also be held liable.
Yes, you can file a personal injury claim if the at-fault driver flees. This would be considered a hit-and-run accident. In a hit-and-run case, you’ll have to file a claim through your motorcycle insurance company.
You might. Complicated motorcycle accident cases may require a forensic investigator who can give expert testimony after evaluating the evidence.
You may still be able to file a claim if you don’t have motorcycle insurance.
In Arizona, motorcyclists over the age of 18 are not required to wear a helmet. However, all motorcyclists and their passengers should wear helmets. If you weren’t wearing a helmet, it’s best to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
Consult With a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Arizona & Utah
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you don’t have to face legalities alone. Our motorcycle crash lawyers at Esquire Law are committed to advocating for your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you seek justice and financial recovery.