Motorcyclists have the same rights as drivers in Arizona. Yet when a motorcycle accident occurs, it is all too common for riders to be blamed for their own injuries. Were they riding recklessly? Were they wearing a helmet? Drivers rarely face such scrutiny.
If you are an adult and were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, you did not violate Arizona or Avondale motorcycle helmet laws. However, helmet non-use may nonetheless be a factor in your personal injury claim. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney like those at Phillips Law Group can help you understand how to overcome anti-motorcyclist bias, protect your rights at every stage of the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Arizona does not require all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. Under state law, riders who are 18 years of age or older are not legally obligated to wear one. Riders under 18 are required to wear a helmet that meets Department of Transportation safety standards.
While adult riders in Avondale have the legal freedom to ride without a helmet, the safety case for wearing one is compelling. Motorcycle accidents frequently result in some of the most severe injuries seen in personal injury cases, and head injuries are among the most devastating.
Common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include:
A properly certified helmet will not prevent most of the injuries listed above, but it will significantly reduce the risk of fatal or disabling head trauma in the event of a crash. Arizona motorcycle helmet laws may not require adults to wear one, but riders who choose to wear a compliant helmet are making a smart investment in their own safety.
This is one of the most important questions a rider can ask after an accident, and the answer requires careful consideration. Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system, which means that if an injured person is found to bear some responsibility for their injuries, their compensation is reduced accordingly. Insurance companies representing at-fault drivers are well aware of this principle, and they frequently attempt to use a rider’s decision not to wear a helmet as an excuse to shift blame and reduce the value of a claim.
This tactic can be especially aggressive when a rider suffers head or facial injuries. Adjusters may argue that a helmet would have prevented or reduced those injuries, and therefore, the rider shares responsibility for the harm they sustained.
That being said, helmet use has no bearing whatsoever on who caused the accident. A distracted or reckless driver is responsible for the collision regardless of what a motorcyclist was wearing.
The attorneys at Phillips Law Group understand these tactics and are prepared to fight back against attempts to place undue blame on riders who were not in violation of Arizona motorcycle helmet laws. The firm’s legal team works to keep the focus where it belongs: on the negligent driver who caused the crash.
A motorcycle accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, you have rights, and a knowledgeable attorney can help you protect them.
Avondale motorcycle helmet laws are just one piece of a complex legal puzzle, and Phillips Law Group has the experience and determination to handle every piece on your behalf. Contact the firm today to get answers to your questions during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Available 24/7 
