Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be life changing. Due to the long recovery times that are often associated with these crashes, family members and other dependents may also be affected.
At Phillips Law Group, our Mesa motorcycle accident lawyers understand the challenges that injured riders and their families may face following a crash. We have a proven record representing motorcycle accident victims including a $4,500,000 recovery for the family of a rider that was fatally injured in a collision, $1,250,000 for a rider that suffered a fractured leg and hip in a crash and $345,000 for a rider that suffered a fractured skull, wrist and facial injuries in an accident.
Our personal injury attorneys charge no upfront fees if we take on your motorcycle accident case and we offer a free, no obligation consultation to help determine if you have a case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There can be many different reasons that cause or contribute to a motorcycle accident. Some of the most common include:
- Sudden Stops – riders that fail to pay attention or have their vision blocked by an obstacle, may be unable to prevent running into another vehicle that has stopped abruptly. In some instances, the rider may not hit another vehicle, but still be injured after falling off the motorcycle.
- Speed – riding too quickly can result in the rider not having enough time to react to unexpected situations on the road ahead.
- Opened car doors – parked vehicles also pose a threat to riders, where a motorist or passenger may open the door of their parked vehicle without checking the surrounding area for other vehicles &/or pedestrians.
- Hitting car side mirrors – when riders travel between lanes, they run the risk of their hands and/or handlebars hitting the mirrors of the vehicles that they pass. Doing so can result in the rider losing control, causing them to crash.
- Lane splitting– this unsafe riding practice is dangerous for a number of reasons including:
- Other motorists not being able to see the rider when they are riding between lanes
- Riders may not notice the movements of other vehicles
- The movement of traffic can be very difficult for riders to predict – especially in congested areas
- Motorists may not be expecting the rider to travel between lanes and may have an unexpected reaction
- Turning in front of oncoming traffic – accidents at intersections can be fatal. Drivers running red lights or failing to slow down on amber lights may cause riders to mis-judge how much time they have to get across the intersection.
- Road conditions – can also be a cause of motorcycle accidents. Oil on the road, potholes, unfinished roads and road construction cones can be some of the obstacles that riders must safely navigate.
- Mechanical defects – while mechanical defects can be rare, it’s possible that they can contribute to a collision. It can be difficult to prove an accident was caused by a mechanical defect as the duty of care of a rider is to ensure that their vehicle is roadworthy before they head out on their journey.
- Riding under the influence – according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 40% of motorcycle accidents involve alcohol.
The aftermath of a motorcycle crash can be significant. Personal injury, property damage and fatalities may ensue.
Verdicts And Settlements
$ 7,650,000
Motorcycle Accidents -TBI, Skull Fracture
$ 1,250,000
Motorcycle Accidents -Fractured Leg and Hip
$ 345,000
Motorcycle Accidents -Fractured Skull, Face, Wrist
$ 315,000
Motorcycle Accidents -UIM, Collapsed Lung, Testicular Injury, Fractures
How Do I Know If I Have a Case?
In the state of Arizona, motorcycle accident victims have two years to file their damages lawsuit. This date begins from the day the incident took place.
When trying to establish a case, it must be proven that negligence was involved.
In collisions involving another vehicle, there are four components that need to be established:
- Duty of Care – this determines that by having a license to operate a motor vehicle, the at-fault motorist had an obligation to other road users to act in a reasonable and responsible manner, in an effort to protect him/herself and others from harm.
- Breach of Duty of Care – it must be proven that the at-fault driver failed to uphold their duty of care obligation.
- Causation – the lawyers for the plaintiff need to also prove that the negligence from the at-fault party directly contributed to the injuries that were sustained by the rider and any passengers. Having medical records can be helpful to establish this connection.
- Damages – it must be proven that the at-fault driver’s actions resulted in the victim suffering monetary damages. Commonly, these damages may be from medical expenses, lost wages and treatment costs.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Mesa at Phillips Law Group can help to, firstly, determine if you have grounds to file a lawsuit and secondly, begin to develop your potential case by utilizing tools and services that we have at our disposal. From support staff, to investigators and hiring industry experts, we aim to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions and obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you may be eligible to receive.
What Is My Case Worth?
Injuries from motorcycle accidents are often painful to recover from and take many months of medical treatment and physical therapy. In some instances, riders never fully recover from their injuries.
Consequently, there are a number of items that may be considered when calculating the value of your potential case:
- Medical bills – past, present and future
- Medication costs
- Lost income (past, present and future)
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Funeral costs
- Medical equipment costs
- Housing upgrades (ramps, hand/grab rails)
In Arizona, drivers must carry:
- A minimum of $15,000 for bodily injury liability coverage
- A minimum of $10,000 for property liability coverage
- A minimum of $15,000 of uninsured motorist bodily liability coverage per person – and $30,000 per accident
- A minimum of $15,000 underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person – and $30,000 per accident
This is important, as the insurance policy of the at-fault driver is often where the funds for your claim will be obtained from.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Mesa from our firm will review the details of your claim and determine if you have a case. There is no cost for this service and you are not obligated to pursue a case with our firm.
What Is A No-Contact Accident?
No contact accidents are commonly the result of the rider losing control of the motorcycle and crashing, or as a result of a mechanical failure (chain snapping, tire blowout) – where there is no contact with another vehicle. In some instances, there may be an issue with the road surface. However, that can be difficult to prove when filing a lawsuit.
No-contact accidents work similarly to other traffic accidents in that it must be determined who caused the accident.
What If The Other Driver Is Uninsured?
In the event that the at-fault motorist has failed to maintain auto insurance coverage – or if the insurance coverage does not cover the damages being claimed in the lawsuit – plaintiff’s may still be able to file a claim against their own insurance policy. However, there are many variables to this, and we suggest that if you are unsure, to reach out and speak to a motorcycle accident attorney at our firm today.
Can I Claim Compensation If I Was Injured When Not Wearing A Helmet?
It depends.
Under the Arizona Revised Statutes 28-964, the state of Arizona does not require motorcyclists to wear a helmet if they are over the age of 18 years. However, if an adult rider is injured while not wearing a helmet, the insurance company may argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to making their injuries worse – when compared to a similar accident where the rider was wearing a helmet.
You can learn more about this topic from our blog, which can be found “here“.
If you were injured in a crash and were not wearing a helmet, contact a Mesa motorcycle accident attorney at Phillips Law today. We can review the details of your specific incident at no cost to you and determine if there is a legal solution available.
Can Injured Motorcycle Passengers File A Claim?
If you are the passenger on a motorcycle that is involved in a collision, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Depending on the specifics involved in the crash, the injured passenger may be able to claim against:
- The rider of the motorcycle
- The driver of the at-fault vehicle
- The motorcycle manufacturer
Passenger injuries can be just as severe as those controlling the motorcycle. If you need help determining if you have a case, call a Mesa motorcycle accident attorney.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Morgan W.
I felt they were more my friends than my personal injury lawyer and that isn't something you're taught it's something you have inside. If I ever needed a lawyer again Phillips Law Group Injury Lawyers would be my only choice. I can't recommend them enough. They are professional on every level and compassionate throughout. Thank you for everything.
Blanca D.
When in pain because of an accident all you want to do is focus on getting better and that is what did thanks to this firm. My family and I were set up with a Dr and Chiro right away. The treatment we received was great. I am extremely thankful for all the help we received and the outcome on the cases. Thanks to everyone involved on my case. A special thanks the intake specialist Rosalba who was very kind on the phone when I first called. I highly recommend this firm to anyone, they treat you like family.
Erika A.
I am so thankful for Ruthann and Maria. They both were amazing throughout the process. When Maria took over my case, I felt like I was being treated with empathy about my pain and experiences while treating. She also made sure to answer my questions. Maria always responded to my communication attempts and answered questions I had as they came up. She helped me with things I needed in regards to my case and helped ease the anxiety as bills piled up and my injuries were still being treated. I was able to contact her as I was treating and she helped find providers closer to my home to make it more accommodating for me. This helped me juggle work...
Santana D.
Ruby, Jennifer, Angela did me great over at this law firm. I will recommend them to anybody that has been in an injury in Phoenix Arizona they are awesome 😎. Got paid 6 months after my accident. Then out of the blue a couple years later they still contract me with another check $$$$$🤑😎🤑. Thank you....
Yunior R.
Philips Law Group offers outstanding customer service and a profound knowledge of personal injury law. Right from the initial call through to your office visit, they ensure you feel well-supported. A special mention goes to Ilse, the client experience coordinator. Her expertise in insurance policies is remarkable, and she articulately explains them in both Spanish and English. She skillfully navigates you through the process with empathy and understanding. A heartfelt thanks for the exceptional experience!
Art R.
Phillips was able to get me a good settlement after the first law group I called completely failed. Highly recommend you give them a call after your personal injury.
Rebecca M.
Philips was an awesome choice got me into the doctors offices for visits quickly and efficiently. I also want to give a big shout out to Michael the negotiator for Philips he went above and beyond to help my case get to the finish line! Also want to thank Jason and the friendly front staff.
Vallery A
Throughout the most stressful time Carmen and Donato managed to get me to the correct doctors and get the correct care I needed to make the whole process smooth and less stressful. They always answered any question or concern with professionalism and courtesy. They always valued my time as I valued theirs. Definitely recommend this great firm!
Martin K.
I'm sincerely grateful to my noble Phillips Law firm legal experts for their integrity n intelligent work for making my accident to not go free in my paint injuries. God richly bless them, for bring settlement big cash to me.
Latosha E.
What can I say about Phillips Law group. I was involved in a major car accident and sustained injuries. I looked up for Law Firms in Arizona and stumbled across Phillips Law Group. I decided to give them a call about my accident, and they were very respectful and took in my case immediately. They assigned me Tim LeDuc to represent me. From the beginning, he was very responsive and made sure to give me the proper care I deserved from this accident. Him and his team fought tooth and nail to give me the best settlement I deserved. I am so thankful, and I highly recommend Phillips Law Group to represent anyone who has been in any accident and...
Emily N.
My case closed yesterday and I RAN to make this review because of how exceptional my experience has been with Phillips Law Group! I received the best settlement I could've hoped for and am extremely happy with the outcome; but I especially wanted to shout out and give praise to Julianna, the Litigation Paralegal on my case. From the moment Julianna was assigned to my case almost two years ago, until the completion of the settlement process yesterday, Julianna's commitment to exceptional customer service, clear communication, and unwavering support truly stood out. I had so many questions -- from the legal process, to where to seek medical treatment, to questions about medical bills, to the negotiation process, and more --...
Ari
I am very impressed by how much care and effort this group puts into helping the homeless. That’s not something you see enough, especially in this time of increasing need for community. It’s important to me to work with companies that align with my views, and I would definitely go to Phillips for any future personal injury lawyer needs.
Rich S.
Just would like to share my experience with Phillips And Associates. Ever since my accident in the first of the year, it was a life changing event for me and I finally decided to go with a personal injury attorney. I contacted Phillips And Associates and they made me feel like I was an actual person instead of a lot of other firms try to go with me like a number, Phillips And Associates has reached out to me in a kind, courteous and caring way they fully understand on the circumstances of the accident So far, Phillips And Associates has been absolutely wonderful. I truly recommend going with Phillips And Associates. Thanks (RuthAnn), your the Best!!! And Thank you...
How Can Phillips Law Group Help?
After being injured in a crash, having a lawyer in your corner can be an important part of the recovery process.
Following an accident, victims are often contacted by the insurance company of the at-fault driver, in an attempt to settle the claim as quickly – and cheaply – as possible. While the insurance company may appear friendly, their primary obligation is to deliver a profit to their shareholders. They do this by generating revenue from the policies they offer, and not paying claims – or paying a small percentage of what the true value of a claim may be.
Insurance companies may also pressure victims into signing documentation and providing statements that – if the case goes to court – can be used against the plaintiff to help discredit their claim.
At Phillips Law Group, we handle insurance companies on a regular basis and understand the strategies they use. We can work to build a strong argument for your damages claim – by gathering evidence, using industry experts to validate your claim and more. We also take each case on a contingency basis – which means that we charge no upfront fees if we take on your case and we only get paid if we obtain a recovery for your case.
Contact A Mesa Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
For the past 27 years, Phillips Law Group has represented more than 155,000 consumer clients and recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our customers.
Our Mesa motorcycle accident lawyers have a full team of support staff and we charge no upfront fees if we handle your case.
For more information and to find out if you have a case, complete our Free Case Evaluation form or call our team at 602-222-222 .