Victim of a motorcycle accident?

The roar of the engine, the open road—then suddenly, your ride turns dangerous. A motorcycle accident throws your life into chaos, and you may be facing pain, confusion, and many questions. A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer understands these challenges and helps riders get compensation.

Contact Sweet James Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 to discuss your situation for free.

Why Choose Sweet James Accident Attorneys for Your Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Case?

After a motorcycle collision, you need advocates who understand your specific situation as a rider in Phoenix. Sweet James Accident Attorneys offers dedicated legal support for victims of motorcycle wrecks. We focus on helping you navigate the aftereffects of your accident.

We Know Phoenix

Our team knows this city. We understand the unique traffic patterns and road conditions in Maricopa County that often contribute to motorcycle accidents. From the busy streets of Downtown to the Loop 101 or I-17, we’re familiar with areas where riders face risks.

Our local knowledge helps us build stronger cases to protect the rights of Phoenix motorcyclists.

Our Track Record With Motorcycle Claims

We’ve handled many cases involving serious injuries and complex insurance negotiations specifically related to motorcycle crashes. Our experience means we know the tactics insurance companies use to downplay riders’ claims.

We work to counter these tactics and pursue the full compensation you need to recover. A Phoenix motorcycle crash attorney from our firm brings this valuable experience to your case.

Dedicated Support

A motorcycle accident is more than just a legal problem. We provide compassionate and dedicated support to every client. We guide you through each step of the legal process, answering your questions and keeping you informed.

We take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. We’re committed to being your trusted advocates.

If a motorcycle accident in Phoenix injured you, let us help. Call Sweet James Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Phoenix

Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons, often because other drivers are not careful around riders.

Drivers Failing To See Motorcycles

One of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents is other drivers’ failure to see the motorcycle. While motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, some drivers simply don’t look carefully enough, especially at intersections or when changing lanes.

Driver inattention, distractions like cell phones, or an obstructed view can also lead to a driver overlooking a rider.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spots

If drivers don’t check their blind spots properly before moving over, they can hit a motorcyclist. Sudden lane changes without signaling also put riders at extreme risk. Motorcyclists have little time to react when a car veers into their lane unexpectedly.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

When a car travels over the speed limit, the driver has less time to react to a motorcycle. The impact of a high-speed collision is also much more severe for a motorcyclist. Other forms of reckless driving, like tailgating a motorcycle, running red lights, or aggressive driving, also cause serious accidents.

Road Hazards

Sometimes, the condition of the road itself contributes to a motorcycle accident. Potholes, uneven pavement, loose gravel, or debris on the road can be especially dangerous for motorcycles. Poor road design or lack of proper maintenance can also create hazards.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, which means riders often suffer severe injuries in a crash, even at lower speeds. The impact of these types of injuries goes beyond physical pain, affecting your ability to work, family life, and overall well-being.

Here are some common injuries motorcyclists face:

• Head Injuries and Brain Trauma: Even with a helmet, head injuries are a serious risk in motorcycle accidents, ranging from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Symptoms of a TBI might not appear immediately, but can have long-lasting effects on memory, concentration, and personality.
• Road Rash and Skin Abrasions: Road rash occurs when a rider’s skin slides across the pavement during a crash, causing incredibly painful injuries that can damage multiple layers of skin and even underlying tissue and might require treatments like skin grafts and long-term care.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Broken bones are very common in motorcycle accidents because the force of impact or being thrown from the bike can easily fracture arms, legs, ribs, and other bones.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord are among the most devastating outcomes of a motorcycle accident, as damage can cause partial or complete paralysis, meaning loss of movement and sensation below the point of injury.

Potential Compensation After a Phoenix Motorcycle Collision

If another person’s negligence caused your motorcycle crash, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. This compensation, often called damages, aims to cover the various ways the accident has affected your life.

A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer helps you identify and claim all damages you are entitled to after the wreck.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the tangible financial losses you’ve suffered from the motorcycle accident. These are often easier to calculate because they usually come with bills and receipts.

Examples include:

• Medical Expenses: This includes all costs for your medical treatment, such as hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care you’ll need.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can claim your lost wages. If your ability to earn money in the future is reduced, you can claim damages for lost earning capacity.
• Property Damage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the crash, like your helmet or riding gear.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that don’t have a precise dollar value but significantly impact your life. These are more subjective, but are a very real part of your suffering.

Examples include:

• Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress caused by your injuries and the accident.
• Emotional Distress: This covers psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from the trauma of the motorcycle wreck.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies, activities, or aspects of daily life that you previously valued, you can receive compensation for this loss.

A skilled motorcycle crash attorney in Phoenix knows how to demonstrate the extent of these non-economic losses.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct by the at-fault party, punitive damages might be available. Punitive damages aren’t meant to compensate the victim for losses. Instead, their purpose is to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior by other people.

Arizona law has specific requirements for awarding punitive damages, so your Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney will evaluate whether the circumstances of your crash might warrant seeking this type of award.

Arizona Motorcycle Laws and Your Accident Claim

Several Arizona laws directly relate to motorcycles and can influence your accident claim, and your Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer will explain how they apply to your specific situation.

Helmet Laws in Arizona

Arizona law requires all motorcycle operators and passengers under 18 to wear a helmet. Helmets aren’t legally required for riders 18 and older. However, wearing a helmet is always recommended for safety.

If you weren’t wearing a helmet and are over 18, the insurance company might try to argue that your injuries are worse because of it.

A Phoenix motorcycle injury lawyer can counter these arguments, especially if the head injury would have occurred regardless of helmet use or if the primary injuries are to other parts of the body.

Lane Splitting and Filtering

Until recently, lane splitting (riding between lanes of moving traffic) was illegal in Arizona. However, a new law effective September 2022 allows lane filtering under specific conditions.

A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer will analyze whether you were filtering legally and how it impacts fault determination. If the other driver caused the accident while you were legally filtering, they can still be liable.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Phoenix

Arizona has a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. For most motorcycle accident cases in Phoenix, you have two years from the accident to file a lawsuit.

If you miss this deadline, you generally lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so contact a motorcycle wreck lawyer in Phoenix well before this deadline approaches.

This gives them time to investigate your case, gather evidence, and file legal documents. Acting promptly protects your legal options.

How a Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Fights for You

A Phoenix motorcycle crash attorney acts as your champion. They handle the complex legal tasks so you can concentrate on getting better.  A lawyer becomes your voice against powerful insurance companies.

Investigating Your Motorcycle Accident

One of the first things your lawyer does is thoroughly investigate the crash. This involves gathering all available evidence. They obtain the official police report and talk to anyone who saw the accident happen to get witness statements.

Your attorney collects photographs and videos from the accident scene. Sometimes, they work with accident reconstruction professionals to understand exactly how the collision occurred. This detailed investigation helps build a strong foundation for your claim.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are businesses, and they often aim to pay out as little as possible on claims. Dealing with them alone can be frustrating and overwhelming, especially when recovering from injuries.

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix takes over all communication with the insurance companies. Your attorney knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance adjusters. They understand the tactics adjusters use to get you to settle for less than your claim is worth.

Your lawyer protects you from these lowball offers and aggressive tactics.

Calculating Your Damages

It’s challenging to know the true cost of a motorcycle accident without legal experience. Your lawyer carefully calculates all your damages, accounting for every loss, so you pursue the full compensation you need. They might consult medical and financial professionals to get a complete picture.

Taking Your Case to Court if Necessary

Most motorcycle accident cases settle during negotiations. However, sometimes the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. If this happens, your Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney can take your case to trial.

Ride Forward With the Right Support

The road to recovery after a motorcycle accident can feel long and complicated, but you don’t have to travel it by yourself. With the right legal support, you can focus on healing while someone else handles the fight for fair compensation. Let us ride with you.

Contact Sweet James Accident Attorneys at (800) 900-0000 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Phoenix personal injury attorney.