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Any motor vehicle accident can cause terrible harm. However, statistics show that motorcycle riders suffer more significant injuries than other accident participants and are 26 percent more likely to die. Compensation may be available for those who sustain such motorcycle accident injuries in Phoenix, and our compassionate and knowledgeable lawyers may help you and your family receive a just settlement or jury verdict.
Motorcycle drivers can take many proactive steps toward safeguarding their well-being – follow speed limits and other legal requirements, maintain their bikes in good working order, and refrain from aggressive or unsafe maneuverings. However, even when a motorcyclist does all of this, others may still put them in jeopardy by engaging in negligent behaviors such as:
Defective motorcycles and hazardous road situations, such as potholes and construction, can also endanger bike riders and passengers. These and many other circumstances can leave motorcyclists with debilitating, life-long injuries.
The only protective equipment a motorcycle rider has is their helmet and eyewear, so individuals on bikes are likely to suffer significant injuries if they crash. Additionally, motorcycle riders and passengers can easily become trapped beneath or thrown from the bike.
Individuals in such accidents may sustain a wide variety of injuries, but some of the most frequent include:
Phoenix lawyers familiar with motorcycle accidents may work with those suffering from these and other injuries to secure the compensation necessary to address their current and future needs.
The damage that a motorcyclist suffers in an accident is typically more severe than the injuries a driver will sustain in a collision between two cars. This is mainly due to the lack of protection that motorcyclists have while riding their bikes. Colliding with the road, a tree, or another vehicle will usually result in some form of blunt force trauma. For example, broken bones are common in motorbike crashes but are not seen as often in car accidents. Road rash is also much more common in motorcycle collision cases, and this injury is usually an aggravating factor that makes a person’s other injuries even more severe.
In Arizona, those injured in motorcycle accidents may recover economic and non-economic damages. This restitution includes out of pocket expenses and monetary losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation, property damage (e.g., a wrecked bike), and lost wages. Plaintiffs may also recover for harm that is not as readily calculated, such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and disruption of the enjoyment of life. If the ultimate harm occurs and someone passes away, Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated § 12-613 allows the surviving family to recover additional funds, including funeral costs and the decedent’s future earnings.
In Phoenix, plaintiffs must accept responsibility for their role in the incident and have their damages adjusted accordingly. In other words, if the injured party contributed to their wounds by 40 percent, they may only receive 60 percent of the total award. Even if they bear most of the blame, plaintiffs may collect compensation, just a decreased amount.
By consulting with a lawyer who regularly represents those injured in Phoenix motorcycle collisions, claimants may best position themselves to avoid drastic reductions in compensation in favor of maximizing their recoveries.
Despite some people’s preference for riding without a helmet, statistics from both the Centers for Disease Control and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that helmets mitigate severe injuries and save lives. The data indicates the following:
These numbers suggest that many deaths and serious injuries suffered by motorcycle riders might be preventable. The solution may be as simple as wearing a helmet, and that is why some states, including Arizona, have taken action by mandating helmet wearing to some extent.
Critical injuries and fatalities are not uncommon in motorcycle accidents, and those living in the aftermath may struggle to get their lives back together – physically, emotionally, and financially. Our team of seasoned litigators may be able to help those suffering from motorcycle accident injuries in Phoenix craft a strategy that protects their interests and puts them in the best position to recoup for present and future necessities. To get started building your plan, contact us today.