Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents lead to a sizable percentage of total traffic crash deaths in the United States, despite making up only a small percentage of total motorists on the roadways.  This is especially true in Arizona, where helmets are not required.  According to the NHTSA, motorcycle riders are 28 times as likely as individuals in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash.  When motorcycle accidents aren’t fatal, they can still have major consequences on a person’s health and cause severe life threating injuries.

Motorcycles are very different from cars. This is due to factors that include maneuverability, required stopping distance, responsiveness to roadway conditions and level of protection during an accident.  Motorcycle accidents are more common on non-interstate roads and are more likely to occur in the daytime. 

Most motorcyclists are aware of the risks they face when riding on the road with other vehicles. However, not all risks associated with riding a motorcycle concern other drivers on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), riding a motorcycle after drinking alcohol is a significant factor in motorcycle accident deaths across the United States. Motorcyclists who drink and ride are at serious risk for injuring themselves and others on the road.

Over 40 percent of motorcycle accidents occur as a result of another vehicle turning left while the motorcyclist drives straight. The second most common type of motorcycle accidents are rear end accidents. Rear-end collisions often happen because the motorcyclist has slowed or stopped because of a traffic signal or an obstruction ahead.

Some of the types of motorcycle crashes include:

• Single bike accidents- speeding, something in the roadway, potholes or other road damage
• Front End Accidents
• T-Bone
• Unsafe lane changes- being motorcycles are smaller than cars they are often hidden in vehicles blind spots

Much of what constitutes safe driving and vehicle operation is having an awareness of yourself and others on the road. However, accidents can also occur unexpectedly, with little warning and are not as easily preventable. Wearing protective head, eye, and body gear and maintaining acute awareness while riding are the safest decisions a motorcycle rider can make to protect oneself on the road. 

Even at slow speeds, a crash involving a motorcycle may result in serious injuries. Tapping a moving motorcycle can send it spinning out of control and into another object or cause it to tip over, resulting in soft tissue injuries to the neck and back. However, speed is an important factor in the severity of the collision as well. Fatalities and more severe injuries, such as fractures and brain damage, are more common at higher speeds

Some other common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents include:

• Fractures
• Neck injuries
• Head injuries– including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Road rash and scarring
• Spinal cord injuries
• Disfigurement
• Paralysis
• Amputations

Recovering compensation for damages after getting in a motorcycle accident in Maricopa County can be a complicated process and seeking compensation for losses after an accident is no simple matter.

Our Scottsdale firm has the skills and resources to gather supportive evidence that will prove the other party's negligence and their responsibility for your injuries. Insurance carriers often attempt to get around coverage regulations and deny personal injury compensation on behalf of the at-fault party.  Unfortunately, they will try to put all or some of the blame on you. 

We have a strong record of securing compensation for injured motorcyclists in Arizona and we will ensure your claim is evaluated to include all of your damages as a result of the at fault parties negligence.