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Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Arizona
Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be more severe than car accident injuries, and insurance companies know it, which is exactly why they fight motorcycle claims harder. We fight back harder.
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Why Are Motorcycle Accident Claims Harder to Win?
Quick answer: Insurance companies and juries often carry an unfair bias against motorcyclists, assuming speed or recklessness even when the rider did nothing wrong. Because motorcycle injuries tend to be catastrophic, the dollar amounts at stake are higher, and insurers fight harder to avoid paying full value. Strong evidence and an attorney who understands motorcycle-specific dynamics matter more here than in an average car accident case.
On This Page
Common Causes We See
Drivers failing to see a motorcycle before turning left across traffic, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, and road hazards that are minor to a car but dangerous to a motorcycle (potholes, gravel, uneven pavement) are among the most common causes of Arizona motorcycle accidents.
Awards & Recognition
Founding Partners Michael Tamou and Simon Touma’s personal injury litigation work has been independently recognized, earned, never purchased.
Overcoming Bias Against Riders
A common defense tactic is suggesting the rider was speeding, lane-splitting, or otherwise at fault simply because they were on a motorcycle. Countering that bias with real evidence, event data recorders, traffic camera footage, accident reconstruction, and witness statements, is often the difference between a fair settlement and a lowball offer.
Comparative Fault Still Applies
As with any Arizona accident claim, A.R.S. § 12-2505 allows recovery even if you were partially at fault, reduced by your percentage of fault. This matters in motorcycle cases where insurers frequently try to assign riders more blame than the facts support.
Helmet Use and Your Claim
Arizona does not require adult riders to wear a helmet, but not wearing one can be used by an insurer to argue your injuries were made worse by your own choice. This does not bar a claim, but it is a factor worth discussing with an attorney early.
Deadline to File
Under A.R.S. § 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file suit. Evidence in motorcycle cases, skid marks, debris fields, vehicle damage, degrades quickly, so acting early matters even though the legal deadline is further out.
Hurt in a motorcycle accident in Arizona? Talk to our litigation team before you respond.
Call 602-932-6010What You Can Recover
Remedies & Damages
Motorcycle accident injuries are often catastrophic, and Arizona law allows recovery for the full scope of the harm.
Economic Damages
Medical billsPast & future
Lost wagesPast & future
Motorcycle & gear damageRepair/replacement
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and sufferingCase-specific
Permanent disability/disfigurementCase-specific
Loss of enjoyment of lifeCase-specific
In Egregious Cases
Punitive damagesDUI, reckless conduct
Wrongful death damagesIf a fatality occurs
Catastrophic Injuries Deserve a Case Built for the Long Term
Motorcycle injuries often require ongoing care years after the crash. A settlement that only covers today’s bills can leave you exposed later.
How These Disputes Get Resolved
Litigation Strategy
Common Insurer Tactics in Motorcycle Cases
Bias-based fault claims: assuming speed or recklessness with no real evidence.
Helmet arguments: using the absence of a helmet to argue your injuries are your own fault.
Visibility disputes: claiming the driver “never saw” the motorcycle to excuse the failure to yield.
Common Questions
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Arizona FAQs
Is it true motorcycle accident claims are harder to win?
They can be, mainly because of bias against riders and higher-value injuries that insurers fight harder to avoid paying. Strong evidence and experienced representation offset both problems.
Does not wearing a helmet ruin my claim?
No, Arizona does not require adult helmet use, though an insurer may try to use it against you. It does not bar a claim.
How is fault determined in a motorcycle accident?
The same negligence principles apply as any Arizona accident claim, with fault apportioned under the state’s pure comparative negligence rule.
What evidence matters most in a motorcycle accident case?
Event data recorders, traffic or dash camera footage, the police report, witness statements, and an accident reconstruction where fault is disputed.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim?
Generally two years from the date of the crash under A.R.S. § 12-542.
Key Takeaways
- Riders face real bias in fault disputes, strong evidence is what overcomes it.
- Not wearing a helmet does not bar a claim in Arizona, though insurers may raise it.
- Comparative negligence still applies, partial fault reduces but does not eliminate recovery.
- Motorcycle injuries are often severe enough to require future medical costs in the claim, not just current bills.
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Arizona Litigation Group · Phoenix Office
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page or submitting a contact form. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
