What Is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Arizona?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, the injuries and pain you’re dealing with might make it seem impossible to pursue compensation for your injuries. Fortunately, a skilled motorcycle accident attorney can demand the damages you’re owed, but you’ll have to act fast. Waiting too long to hire a lawyer could cause you to miss important filing deadlines.

In Arizona, there’s a two-year statute of limitations for motorcycle accident cases. If you miss the filing deadline on your accident claim, your suit will probably get thrown out, leaving you with no other way to pursue the damages you need to cover your medical bills, property damage, and other losses.

What Is a Statute of Limitations?

A statute of limitations is a law that sets a specific amount of time that accident victims have to file a civil lawsuit. Different types of cases, such as personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death, may have different time limits. 

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that lawsuits are filed in a timely manner, allowing the defendant’s attorney to build a case while evidence and witness memories are still fresh. That statute of limitations also prevents individuals from filing frivolous claims long after the “supposed accident” has occurred.

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Arizona’s Two-Year Filing Deadline for Motorcycle Accidents

A.R.S. § 12-542 gives motorcycle riders two years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you file a suit any later than the two-year mark, you could be denied the compensation you need to recover from your injuries, pay your vehicle repair bills, and replace income losses. 

Hiring an attorney ASAP is the best way to ensure your suit is submitted on time. If you just found out about the statute of limitations and have been delaying legal action, you might still be able to pursue compensation even if your filing deadline has passed. Reach out to a lawyer today to learn about your legal options. 

How Much Time You Have to File a Suit Against a Government Entity

If a government or public employee caused your Phoenix motorcycle crash, a different statute of limitations would apply to your case. According to A.R.S § 12-821.01, you have 180 days to take legal action against a government entity. Failure to abide by this filing deadline could jeopardize your right to fair compensation. 

This limit of 180 days is an extremely short period of time to prepare and file a lawsuit. If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a government worker, you’ll want to contact an attorney as soon as you can. A skilled lawyer can work efficiently to file your suit before it’s too late. 

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How to Ensure Compliance With Arizona’s Statute of Limitations

To ensure compliance with Arizona’s statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents, you’ll want to act quickly and seek legal representation immediately after an accident. It might seem tempting to wait until you’ve recovered from your injuries to hire a lawyer, but doing so could stop you from getting the life-changing compensation you’re owed.

If you’re unsure which statute of limitations applies to your claim, the easiest way to find out is to consult with a motorcycle accident attorney. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose from speaking to an attorney and getting the advice you need to comply with state laws. 

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Compensation You Could Receive From a Successful Bike Crash Lawsuit

If you’re able to get your suit filed within the time limit imposed by Arizona’s motorcycle lawsuit statute of limitations, you could receive a number of different damages. Depending on the expenses you’ve incurred and the challenges you’ve experienced due to the crash, you could receive compensation for any of the following losses:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs 
• Motorcycle repair costs
• Lost wages
• Decreased learning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

The average motorcycle accident settlement contains a variety of helpful damages geared toward assisting the claimant’s physical and financial recovery. An attorney will make sure to request all of the damages you need to move forward after a bike crash. 

How to Find the Right Attorney for Your Case

While hiring a law firm soon after your accident is important, you’ll want to make sure an attorney is right for you before you agree to work with them. To make sure a motorcycle accident lawyer has what it takes to meet Arizona’s statute of limitations and file a winning claim or lawsuit on your behalf, ask them the following questions:

• Have you handled cases similar to mine? If so, what was the outcome?
• Do you work for a contingency fee?
• How long do you expect my case to take?
• How will you keep me updated on the status of my case?
• Can you tell me about your trial experience?
• How often do you take cases to trial?
• Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?

If you feel comfortable with an attorney’s answers to these questions, you should consider hiring them for your case.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Arizona Today

At Zanes Law, our attorneys are familiar with the statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in Arizona. They can answer any questions you have about the requirements and time limits that apply to your case. They’ll also ensure that every step of your case is conducted efficiently.  Ensuring that you will have enough time to file a lawsuit.

Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your case. We’ll discuss the bike wreck you were injured in and offer advice on what you should do next. If we agree to help you file a claim or lawsuit, we’ll get started on your case ASAP.

Call or text 866-499-8989 or complete a
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