Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Attorney
There are many open highways and scenic routes in Arizona. Motorcyclists often enjoy exploring these roads. However, they face substantial risks. They are particularly vulnerable to the possibility of catastrophic or even fatal injuries. There is little to protect a motorcyclist in case of a collision or rollover. Motorcyclists are not shielded by a structure, a crumple zone, airbags, or seatbelts.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix, AZ, is often the last thing on your mind when you hop onto the open road. However, it can be extremely dangerous to be on a motorbike as they are more vulnerable during accidents. While there are plenty of tools to help you stay safe, what happens when those fail or other drivers fail to be safe around you?
That is where we at Saavera Law Firm, PLC come into play. You can trust that we have the experts needed to handle your case and get you the compensation you deserve. No matter the type of accident, we have your back to help you recover and get back out on the road.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident in Maricopa County, you should consult Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer Freddy Saavedra. He can fight for your right to full compensation.
Holding a Driver Liable for a Motorcycle Accident
Often, the injuries arising out of a motorcycle accident are major. These injuries can include paralysis, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, internal organ damage, internal bleeding, broken bones, lacerations, and many other injuries. Some injuries may necessitate surgery, and others may require alterations to a victim’s home. Many people do not have enough saved up in case of substantial injuries that require significant treatment.
Motorcyclists must follow the ordinary rules of the road, as well as other separate laws enacted only for motorcyclists. For example, they are not allowed to pass a vehicle with which they share a traffic lane. They cannot split traffic lanes. Riders need to have headlamps on their motorcycles and have a rearview mirror, secure seats, and secure footrests for themselves and their passengers. However, they are entitled to be treated like other larger vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, many drivers of larger vehicles do not treat them as equals and may fail to yield or fail to take care around them. When this happens, a motorcycle accident attorney in the Phoenix area can help them fight for compensation.
Common Types of Motorbike Accidents
Even though motorbike accidents happen less frequently than passenger vehicles do, the results can be fatal. When it comes to driving, there are many dangers that motorbike riders can face. Below we’ve outlined some of the most common types of motorbike accidents that can happen to anyone.
Head-On Collisions
More than half the deaths of motorbike riders occur during vehicle collisions. In most cases, these types of accidents are when the car strikes the motorcycle from the front. Many cases involving head-on collisions involve the death of the rider. Due to how vulnerable a motorbike is, there is nothing stopping the rider from being flung off the motorbike and onto the ground at high speeds.
Left-Hand Turn Accidents
Due to the smaller size of a motorbike, they are often less visible to other drivers in a turning vehicle. It has to do with the blind spot that all passenger vehicles have. It is often when changing lanes, traveling through intersections, or even when a motorbike is passing a vehicle.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorbike rider drives between two lanes of slow or stopped vehicles. This is not legal in every state and is actually dangerous to do regardless of legality. Accidents often occur when splitting lanes for a variety of reasons, but they include:
- The distance between vehicles is narrow, making it harder to maneuver a motorbike between them
- Other passenger vehicles don’t anticipate a motorbike passing their vehicle and are wanting to change lanes
- The speed of travel and how close they are to other vehicles can cause an accident if everyone is not perfectly inline
No matter the reason for lane splitting, it is up there as one of the more dangerous things a motorbike rider can do.
Excessive Speed
Nearly half of all motorbike accidents involve excessive speed. While this is the exact same for passenger vehicles, the injuries from a motorbike are more significant. This is because there is little to no protection for the passengers on the motorbike compared to the passenger vehicle. These crashes can result in serious injury or even death.
Road Hazards
We all know how annoying potholes can be, but for a motorbike, these things become dangerous. Things like slick pavement, potholes, changing lanes with uneven heights, and colliding with expected objects or dead animals on the highway can be dangerous.
If you have gone through a motorbike accident, it is time to call a motorbike accident lawyer in Pheonix, Arizona. There is no time to wait to see what we here at Saavera Law Firm, PLC can do for you to help you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out today if you have questions about what a lawyer can do for you.
In order to recover damages after a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you will need to prove that the defendant owed a duty of care, but a breach of the duty of care occurred, causing the accident. The police usually come out to the scene of a motorcycle accident, and they may make a determination of who was at fault for the accident.
If any party to a motorcycle accident broke a law, the violation is likely to be considered a breach of the duty of care. For example, if the driver of a car runs a traffic signal while you are making a left turn on your motorcycle and have the right of way, it is likely that a Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney can prove that the other driver breached the duty to use reasonable care.
Arizona follows the doctrine of comparative negligence. The jury will determine the total damages and assign each of the various people involved in the accident a percentage of fault. Your damages will be reduced by an amount equal to your percentage of fault, if any. For example, a driver might argue that a motorcyclist was speeding, which contributed to the accident or their injuries. Retaining a motorcycle accident attorney who can investigate the accident scene from your perspective can help you defeat an argument of comparative negligence.
Consult a Trustworthy Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Often, insurers feel reluctant to pay out claims to injured motorcyclists. They may try to argue that the motorcycle accident was the fault of the motorcyclist, even if it is clear that it was the fault of their policyholder. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Phoenix, you should consult motorcycle accident lawyer Freddy Saavedra. He represents clients throughout Maricopa County. Call us at 602-878-6625 or use our online form to set up a free consultation.
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