Motorcycle accidents can leave you with severe, life-changing injuries. Do you know your rights after being in a motorcycle crash?
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages from your injuries. The Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group have decades of experience obtaining fair compensation for victims of a variety of traffic accidents, including motorcycle collisions. This includes two multi-million dollar settlements in two motorcycle wrongful death cases and another motorcycle crash verdict of $1,250,000. We understand the severity of the personal injuries caused by these crashes and have extensive knowledge of how to build strong cases to support our clients’ best interests.
We take cases on contingency, which means your first consultation with our trusted personal injury attorneys is free and you will not be charged legal fees unless we recover compensation. Motorcycle collisions are serious, and we want to assist you however we can.
Phillips Law Group is passionate about fair legal representation to help motorcycle accident victims receive compensation and move forward with their lives. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today to see how we can help you with your motorcycle crash case.
In one recent year, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 2,672 motorcycles involved in collisions throughout the state.
Motorcycle accidents tend to be serious compared to accidents only involving passenger vehicles. In Arizona, in 2021, about 80 percent of motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries, while 160 people were killed.
In some circumstances, you can sue someone personally after a motorcycle accident. To be successful, it is important to clearly establish fault. You can accomplish this by having a strong legal team supporting you throughout the process.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages or losses. You need an experienced and aggressive attorney at your side.
Establishing Fault After a Motorcycle Accident
Under Arizona law, there are three key elements that determine who is at fault for a motorcycle accident. These are:
- Duty: The other driver has a duty of reasonable care. In other words, all drivers are expected to obey traffic laws and operate their vehicles in a safe manner.
- Breach of duty: The other driver breached that duty of reasonable care. For example, the person may have broken a traffic law or driven in an unsafe manner.
- Damages: To receive compensation, there have to have been damages incurred as a result of the other driver’s breach of duty.
In some situations, fault for the accident can also be shared between two parties. Arizona’s comparative negligence laws differ from some other states. An injured party in Arizona can still receive compensation even when partially at fault for an accident.
For example, what if an injured party is determined to be 25 percent at fault? That person would still be entitled to receive 75 percent of the damages in compensation. In these situations, it is important to not only establish liability but also the degree of fault.
Accidents are stressful for those involved and their families. Establishing fault can be a complicated and difficult process. Thus, it is important to work with an experienced legal team to help you through the process.
Get in touch with Phillips & Associates. We have been serving Arizona since 1993, so we have the experience to help you with your lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation today to find out how we can help you.
Examples of When Another Person is At Fault
You can sue any person, company entity, or government that may bear responsibility for the accident. The driver of another vehicle is most commonly at fault, at least in part.
A driver may be found at fault in view of the following factors:
- Alcohol and drug use: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s 2018 motorcycle fact sheet, alcohol impairment was a factor in more than 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in one recent year.
- Struck by flying objects: Flying objects could, for instance, be thrown from other vehicles.
- Vehicles making left-hand turns: In 2021, almost 30 percent of motorcycle accidents in Arizona occurred as a result of left-hand turns.
- Physical and emotional impairment: This could involve sleep deprivation, or over-the-counter drugs that can impair judgment or alertness.
- Distracted driving: Eating, reaching for objects, using a cell phone, and other attention-dividing activities continue to be a major factor in vehicle accidents.
- Following too close or speeding: In 2021, 28 percent of motorcycle accidents in Arizona were rear-end accidents. These often result from following too close or speeding.
If any of the above could have contributed to your accident, the other party may be at fault. The established facts could strengthen your case and pave the way for a solid personal lawsuit.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
According to the NHTSA, motorcyclists are 4 times more likely to be hurt in a collision than a passenger vehicle occupant. Since injuries are more common among this group, financial compensation is more often received by the involved motorcyclists as well.
Some injuries may only become apparent hours, or even days, after an accident. You should be aware of the different injuries that could affect you. Any collision-related condition could mean that you may be entitled to receive financial compensation.
Common injuries in motorcycles collisions include:
Both the type and severity of injuries can affect the compensation that you are entitled to receive. Document your injuries and keep track of medical and other expenses to back up your side of the story. A Phoenix, AZ attorney from our firm could help ensure you receive the full amount of damages for your injuries after a motorcycle collision.
What Can Be Included in Damages
The exact amount of damages and what qualifies as damages can vary, depending on your specific circumstances. Anyone involved in a collision may suffer damages including:
- Lost income: If you miss work due to an accident, you may be entitled to compensation
- Future lost income: Almost a one-fourth of motorcycle accidents in Arizona involve people aged 25 to 34; these are prime years to earn income and save for retirement
- Medical bills: You can be compensated for direct medical costs resulting from your accident
- Damage to your property: This includes damage to your motorcycle
- Pain and suffering: This includes the physical pain you experience now and can reasonably expect to experience in the future
- Post-traumatic stress disorder: You may be entitled to compensation for the emotional toll the accident takes on you
These are just a few possible damages to be covered by your settlement. Filing a lawsuit against someone personally at fault for an accident may be possible, though perhaps not the best option.
When to Sue Someone Personally After a Motorcycle Accident
In Arizona, it is mandatory for motorists to have liability insurance. In some circumstances, it is more effective to deal directly with an insurer. The right decision will depend on your specific case.
Factors that determine whether a personal lawsuit is the right choice:
- Insurer is not negotiating in good faith: Insurers are motivated to keep settlements as low as possible. Less compensation for you means more profit for the insurance company. In some cases, the insurer may be unwilling to negotiate.
- Disputing liability: If the other party disputes liability, or even the degree of liability, there may be a need to file a personal lawsuit against the driver.
- Defendant has assets: These may include current or future personal wages or business income and related assets.
Making the choice to sue can be a challenging decision. It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. An experienced lawyer with Phillips Law Group can assist you in dealing with insurers, gathering needed evidence to ensure the maximum possible compensation.
Hire Experienced Attorneys for the Best Results
You can trust one of Arizona’s largest consumer law firms, Phillips Law Group, to help you. We have more than 26 years of experience. All this time, we have collected more than $1,000,000,000 for more than 155,000 of our clients. Read our client reviews to learn more about us and how we can help you.
We take cases on contingency, which means your consultation is free and that you will not be charged legal fees unless we recover compensation.
If you are a motorcycle rider, this question would naturally be important to you, since motorcycle riders in general have an increased risk of being involved in an accident. This is not always the fault of the rider. Time and time again, it has been found that the cause of a motorcycle accident was a negligent automobile driver.
Additionally, unlike car passengers who have the protection of being in an encased vehicle, a motorcycle rider is openly exposed. This fact almost always results in motorcycle riders suffering injuries when an accident occurs. In fact, according to one source, motorcycle riders suffer injuries 96 percent of the time in single-vehicle accidents and 98 percent of the time in collisions with multiple vehicles.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you might find that pursuing fair compensation for damages on your own can be challenging. The lawyers at Phillips Law Group, though, have the experience and the resources needed to make sure that you are fully compensated for damages. Our team of Arizona lawyers has successfully recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for motorcycle accident victims.
Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Although you may practice safety precautions while riding, such as wearing appropriate safety gear, obeying the speed limit, and avoiding lane-splitting, it is a simple fact that you cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road. While it is true that a motorcyclist’s negligence can result in a collision, far too often, the cause of many motorcycle accidents has been a negligent automobile driver.
Some examples of driver negligence include the following:
- Distracted driving: There are various forms of distracted driving, such as texting and talking on the phone, eating and drinking, or engaging with passengers. Once the attention of a driver is directed away from the road, an accident involving a motorcycle may result.
- Driving while intoxicated: When a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, his or her judgment is impaired and reflexes are slower. This results in weaving in and out of lanes or driving on the wrong side of the road, which can result in a motorcyclist being struck.
- Fatigued driving: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in just the past 30 days, on average, 1 out of every 25 drivers has fallen asleep at the wheel. Driver fatigue can be due to several factors such as a sleep disorder, the influence of medications, or just simply a lack of sufficient rest.
- Reckless driving: Types of reckless driving include speeding, failing to yield, and running red lights and stop signs, just to name a few. When automobile drivers engage in reckless driving, not only does a collision usually result, but if the accident involves a motorcycle, the injuries to the rider tend to be catastrophic.
- Left-hand turns: One of the most potentially dangerous hazards to a motorcyclist on the road is an automobile making a left-handed turn. Most drivers are expecting to see another automobile when making a left-hand turn, not a smaller motorcycle. The result can be the car striking the motorcyclist while he or she is passing through an intersection or just attempting to pass the car.
Of course, there are several other causes of motorcycle accidents, such as poorly maintained roads, inclement weather, and mechanical problems. Even though your motorcycle was struck by another vehicle, there may be other potentially liable parties from which compensation can be sought. This is why a knowledgeable lawyer’s assistance is vital if you wish to receive full compensation for damages after a motorcycle wreck in Phoenix.
How the Assistance of a Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
Although motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road, a motorcyclist still has the same legal rights as the other drivers. As such, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you have the right to pursue fair compensation from all responsible parties. However, pursuing compensation is not always a straightforward process for several reasons.
First, an at-fault party may deny responsibility, which could weaken a motorcycle accident claim due to a bias that people sometimes have that motorcyclists are more reckless than auto drivers. Even if the at-fault party accepts responsibility for the accident, this same bias can be used by insurance adjusters in an effort to decrease the value of a settlement.
Further, as was mentioned, there may be other potential third parties who share a measure of responsibility for damages suffered. For example, if cracks or potholes in the road contributed to the motorcycle accident, a municipality or government may be found liable. Or, if it is discovered that a faulty motorcycle part was the cause, then the manufacturer could be liable. Identifying all potentially liable parties requires extensive investigative work.
These are just some of the reasons why it would be absolutely crucial to have the assistance of a team of knowledgeable lawyers, like at Phillips Law Group, helping you with your motorcycle accident claim every step of the way. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, your lawyer would file a wrongful death lawsuit for the family to receive a measure of compensation for the loss.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to Receive
If you or your loved one has been the victim of a motorcycle accident, you should not have to pay for the negligence of the responsible party. Our lawyers will make sure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to receive, even if a lawsuit must be filed for losses beyond what an insurance policy would cover.
Compensation for loss and damages may include:
- Present and future lost income
- Present and future medical expenses
- Household renovation for disability
- Motorcycle damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Compensation for wrongful death
Work with a Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident attorney today.
Get Your Claim Off to a Good Start Today!
In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the change in circumstances in your life. As if the physical pain were not enough, you may be confronted with mounting medical bills and an inability to return to work. You should not have to deal with trying to pursue compensation for damages while also trying to focus on healing.
Do not make the mistake of speaking with an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are highly trained in using skillful tactics in an effort to get you to quickly accept a lesser settlement than what your claim is worth.
The law firm that you choose to represent you will have a direct impact on the final amount of your settlement. Let the knowledgeable personal injury lawyers of Phillips Law Group, who have years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims, protect your legal rights and get you a fair sum.
Our attorneys know the tactics that insurance adjusters use and know how to respond. We have helped more than 155,000 clients in over 25 years.
Your claim will be in good hands with us.
Having experienced, results-driven lawyers handling your motorcycle accident case is a definite plus. The team of Phillips & Associates can help your case move more quickly while taking care of crucial but burdensome paperwork. Our extensive knowledge of the law can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Yet, how much do these advantages cost? As a motorcycle accident victim, you might wonder if you can even afford legal assistance.
As one of Arizona’s largest consumer law firms, we aim to make our services available to people of all economic levels.
How You Can Benefit From a Free Consultation
A free case review is accessible to you no matter where you live in the US. Just choose the option below that works best for you.
- Click one of the “Live Chat” icons on your screen to chat in English or Spanish
- Submit your contact information and a brief message so we can contact you by phone or email
- Visit one of our offices in Arizona, California, or Utah
- Call our 24-hour, toll-free hotline (602) 222-2222 any day of the week
When our representatives schedule appointments, they consider individual circumstances. For example, as you recover from your injuries, visiting our offices yourself might be difficult. Therefore, we can arrange to see you at the hospital, your home, or another convenient location.
You can ask questions during your consultation and get free legal advice. Our team members might request details about your accident, but what you share is confidential. By the end of your visit, you should have a good idea of how our talented and aggressive lawyers can maximize your personal injury compensation.
However, there is no obligation to hire our firm. We care about you and your case, so we want you to get information about your rights without any pressure. Please don’t hesitate to set an appointment today.
Why Accident Victims Worry About Lawyer Fees
Motorcycle accidents are among the most traumatic events that could occur in the life of a biker. Serious injuries can incapacitate survivors for months or years. Though emotional and psychological bruises may not appear outside, the pain can make everyday life stressful.
Though medical treatment and mental health counseling can improve matters, they take time and money. Some motorcyclists are permanently disabled, and others must take time off work during recovery. Adding lawyer fees on top of everything would rightly seem overwhelming.
Some attorneys might not care, but our law firm is different. The lawyers of Phillips & Associates want our clients to benefit from top-notch legal representation without the worry of lawyer fees. Read on to learn how you can benefit from this arrangement.
Taking Advantage of a Contingency Plan
Despite the uncertainties, some law firms charge you for their services whether or not you gain any advantage. Yet, at Phillips Law Group, our top priority is to maximize your compensation so you can recover your financial stability.
To ensure our legal team can meet your needs regardless of your financial status, we do not charge fees to start a personal injury case. Instead, we work on a contingency basis.
The word “contingency” refers to a possible outcome in the future. No one can guarantee a favorable outcome for every legal case. Yet, our tenacious attorneys build our strong record of success by combining our intensive knowledge of personal injury law with an aggressive work ethic.
Our attorneys charge nothing until you win your case or recover damages in a settlement. You might be wondering why we would take such a chance. The answer is that we will do our best to ensure a favorable outcome.
Suppose you have just received good news. You won your motorcycle accident case. What happens now?
Pay nothing out of pocket
Our law firm will take a specific percentage which we disclose before you hire us. These charges will cover expenses such as:
- Court costs
- Travel and lodging
- Administrative tasks (e.g. drafting letters and emails, printing and mailing documents, handling communications with insurance companies)
- Records (e.g. police reports, medical records)
- Research and data storage
- Depositions and interviews of witnesses, experts, and others
You can breathe a sigh of relief because your fees will come from your settlement. If you lose your case, you will not owe us anything.
Review your agreement
Perhaps during your initial consultation or sometime after, you decided to trust your case to our professionals. After considering your legal needs, our legal team explained your anticipated fees and gave you a written copy. This document will indicate how much you will come from the money awarded to you.
Collect your personal injury damages
The liable party will pay damages, usually through their insurer. Our lawyers can seek compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
If you are a close relative (or estate representative) filing on behalf of a deceased victim, you can pursue the preceding damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. You could also claim reimbursement for funeral, cremation, and burial costs.
In 2020, an estimated 82,528 motorcycle riders were injured. As a survivor, the circumstances of your crash are unique. Schedule a free, personalized consultation today to learn the costs of pursuing personal injury damages for your accident.
How to Reduce Your Legal Costs
After a motorcycle accident, your life may never be the same. Financial compensation is a way of getting justice and economic relief for your losses.
Would you like to save on legal costs? Follow these simple guidelines:
- Avoid costly mistakes. Insurance companies often employ experts whose sole purpose is to reduce operating costs. Before accepting a settlement from insurers, contact our law firm to ensure you get every penny you deserve. The phone call and initial consultation are free.
- Remember, state deadlines apply. You must file civil actions within specific time limits in the United States. If you hesitate too long, you could forfeit your rights to a cash settlement. Click the chat icon to ask a representative how long you have to file.
- Be honest. Do you think you might have contributed to your accident? Letting us know will help us focus on preparing the strongest case possible for you.
- Be thorough. Share any information you think could be relevant, even if it seems minor. If you remember something or find new evidence, contact us without delay. The more details we know, the better job we can do representing your interests.
Even more satisfying is when you can accomplish your goals affordably. We look forward to meeting your needs.
Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Phillips & Associates understand how financially devastating motorcycle accidents can be. Yet, we do not believe someone’s finances should undermine his or her human rights. Therefore, our lawyers are willing to invest our time and resources without upfront fees.
Why? Our attorneys believe you deserve quality representation, and we are confident in our ability to represent your interests successfully. Since 1993, our talented personal injury team has won more than $1 billion for our clients, and we have plenty of fight left in us.
Money should never get in the way of justice. You pay nothing unless you win.
Request your free consultation today from Phillips Law Group. Our representatives are here to listen 24/7 at (602) 222-2222 or via live chat. There is no obligation, so contact us now.
The days and weeks following a motorcycle accident can be extremely stressful. During a time when you should be able to focus on your recovery, you have the added stress of medical bills, lost wages, and calls from insurance companies trying to pressure you into accepting low settlement offers.
A lawyer can help during this difficult time, but many people hesitate to contact a law firm because they do not fully understand what motorcycle accident lawyers do. In reality, a motorcycle accident lawyer can mean the difference between paying out-of-pocket for damages incurred in the accident.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, it is in your best interests to reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. Schedule a free case review today. Contact Phillips Law Group 24/7 at 602-222-2222 or complete our free case evaluation form.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After Your Motorcycle Accident
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be considering whether you should consult with a lawyer or try to handle the claim on your own. There are many benefits to having a Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney on your side, especially if you sustained serious injuries in the collision.
You may be wondering what a motorcycle accident attorney does. The following are some specific ways a lawyer can help you following a motorcycle accident.
Answer questions
Following a motorcycle accident, victims may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will answer your questions and address any concerns that you may have.
Most clients will have questions not just during the initial consultation but throughout the duration of the case. Your attorney will ensure your questions are answered promptly and accurately under the law.
Explain your rights
For most victims, this is their first time being involved in a motorcycle accident. They may be unsure of their legal rights and how the claims process works. A lawyer can help guide you through the unknown and handle the details of your case.
In Arizona and Nevada, if someone was injured due to another’s negligence, that person has the right to seek compensation for damages. Your lawyer will help you defend your right to compensation by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Conduct an investigation
Your personal injury lawyer will conduct an independent investigation into the motorcycle accident. The goal is to thoroughly understand why and how the accident occurred as well as who is liable for damages.
As part of the investigation, your lawyer may:
- Speak to eyewitnesses
- Request copies of police reports
- Examine medical records
- Hire accident reconstructionists, engineers, and other experts
- Obtain copies of cell phone records
- Research a person’s driving history
- Look for dash cam or video surveillance footage of the accident
A motorcycle accident attorney knows what information needs to be gathered to build a solid case. His or her goal is to demonstrate how the accident occurred, who is to blame, and why the at-fault party is liable for damages.
Calculate the value of your claim
Tragically, motorcycle accident victims are often left with severe injuries and require extensive medical care. The result can be financially devastating as medical bills pile up and wages are lost from being unable to return to work.
The insurance company may try to pressure you into accepting a fast and low settlement offer. For this reason, it is important to have a lawyer on your side who will know how to accurately calculate the value of your losses.
Damages that you are eligible to recover compensation for may include:
- Medical expenses: These can include ambulance rides, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, physical therapy, prescriptions, at-home healthcare, and more.
- Lost income: In addition to missed salary, you could also be compensated for used vacation and sick leave, pension contributions, missed promotions, and more.
- Pain and suffering: These damages are awarded to compensate for the physical and emotional pain a victim has faced as a result of the motorcycle accident. Unlike medical bills and lost wages, these types of damages cannot be easily quantified. A lawyer will use videos, photos, medical records, and testimony to convey how a person’s life has been affected by physical injuries and emotional trauma from the accident.
- Wrongful death: If you have suffered the catastrophic loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident, your lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for burial costs, funeral expenses, loss of support, medical bills incurred, and other collision-related damages.
Negotiate a settlement
As a motorcycle accident victim, you have the right to negotiate a settlement amount with the insurance company. However, when you have an attorney on your side, he or she will ensure that the insurance adjusters are not using manipulative tactics to pressure you into accepting a lower compensation amount than you deserve.
At Phillips Law Group, our personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators. We are familiar with the tactics that insurance companies use to try to deny the payout of a claim, and we will not back down until our clients are offered a just and fair settlement amount.
Represent you in court
The majority of motorcycle accident cases are settled through negotiations with the insurance company and the other party. However, in some situations, the insurance company will refuse to cooperate and provide the victim with fair compensation. As a result, the next step is to take the at-fault party to court.
When we take on your case, the personal injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group will represent you through each stage of the lawsuit process. We can ensure that all documents are filed on time, conduct interviews, and hold depositions. Before taking your case to trial, we will try to negotiate a settlement along the way. However, if needed, we are trial-ready and prepared to represent you in court.
Keep you updated
As your lawyers, we will handle all of the details of your claim while you focus on your recovery. However, we understand that our clients are anxious about recovering compensation and want to know how their cases are progressing. That’s why we provide our clients with regular updates on their cases and are available to answer your questions throughout the duration of the process.
If your motorcycle accident case needs to be presented in court, we will help you prepare. Our legal team will make sure you are thoroughly informed before your court date, and we will do all we can to help you feel less apprehensive about appearing before a judge or jury.
Speak to a Phoenix, AZ Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
A Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer can make all the difference in your financial recovery after your accident. You can find out more about what a motorcycle accident lawyer does by speaking with a member of our legal team.
Keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations on motorcycle accident cases, and you may have a limited amount of time to file a claim or lawsuit. It is important to act quickly if you are interested in recovering compensation for your losses. Don’t lose precious time figuring out the legal process on your own! A personal injury attorney can ensure that all necessary documents are filed correctly and on time.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation on your motorcycle accident case. We take clients on a contingency fee basis and will not charge for our legal services until you obtain compensation first.
Call 602-222-2222 or complete the free case evaluation form today to book an appointment.
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