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.
Why Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
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:
- Changing lanes without checking blind spots
- Opening car doors into traffic
- Driving at excessive speeds
- Tailgating
- Misjudging the ability to make a left turn in front of a motorcycle safely
- Operating a car while under the influence of alcohol or other substances
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.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle injuries lawyer serving Phoenix, call 866-499-8989
Motorcycle Wrecks & Common 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:
- Broken bones
- Road rash (which can lead to dangerous infections and scarring)
- Spinal cord damage (resulting in permanent paralysis)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Death
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.
Why are Motorcycle Accident Injuries More Severe than Those Sustained in Car Crashes?
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.
Phoenix Motorcycle Injuries Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989
Compensation for Motorcycle Mishaps
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.
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Shared Liability in Motorcycle Accident Cases in Phoenix
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.
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Helmet Usage Could Minimize Potential Injuries
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:
- 95 percent of motorcycle accidents cause some level of harm to the rider
- Helmet wearing reduces the risk of head injury by 69 percent and death by 37 percent
- Increased helmet usage could have reduced the 2016 death rate by 802
- In 2016, helmet wearing spared almost 2,000 people their lives
- Motorcycle deaths are 29 times more likely than auto deaths
- Close to half of deceased motorcyclists were not wearing a helmet (41 percent)
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.
Legal Help with Your Phoenix Motorcycle Wreck
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.
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Phoenix Motorcycle Accidents Blog Posts:
The Bizarre Physics of Motorcycle AccidentsThe Bizarre Physics of Motorcycle AccidentsRiding a motorcycle on today's highways, you have to ride in a very defensive manner, and it's helpful to understand the physics of motorcycle accidents.
5 Tips for Safely Riding Your Motorcycle this SummerNothing is better than hopping on your motorcycle and going for a ride on a nice summer day. But before you turn on the engine, it’s important to be sure that you understand how to stay safe. Here