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Arizona Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating events, often leading to catastrophic injuries and financial damages. The personal injury attorneys with The Advocates are here to help.

A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable, thanks to the size difference between passenger cars and motorcycles. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries or fatalities for the motorcycle rider.

After a motorcycle accident, you may be left wondering what to do next. You may be in pain, with a damaged motorcycle, trying to pick up the pieces and get your life back on track. You likely have a long list of things to do: receive medical treatment, get your bike repaired, speak with your insurance company, and file a personal injury claim.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed following an accident. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls that accident victims face.

The Advocates are a law firm of experienced personal injury lawyers serving Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, and the rest of Arizona. We are prepared to help you receive fair compensation for the damages incurred in your accident.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Finish Treatment

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 
We can help you:

  • Access medical care
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Take your case to court if necessary

You only pay if we win your case!


Talking to a Professional


Talk to a professional

Arizona Motorcycle Accident Statistics


75% of accidents occur in urban areas

Where do motorcycle accidents occur?

  • The large majority of motorcycle accidents are collisions with other motor vehicles
  • Around 75% of motorcycle accidents in Arizona occur in urban areas. Most crashes happen in locations that are not intersections
  • Nearly 95% of Arizona motorcycle collisions occur in dry conditions
  • Close to 80% of motorcycle crashes occur during daylight hours
  • On weekdays, motorcycle accidents often happen between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. On weekends, they are more likely to occur between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  • Men represent 86% of motorcycle accident victims
  • The age group most likely to be involved in a motorcycle crash are bikers between 25-34 years old
  • Maricopa County accounts for more than 50% of all Arizona motorcycle accidents each year. Pima County contributes an additional 20%

Arizona motorcycle accident statistics  

  • According to ADOT, there are more than 2,500 motorcycle crashes in the state of Arizona every year. This is slightly more than 2% of all auto accidents annually
  • Each year, around 78% of motorcycle collisions result in injury, and nearly 6% are fatal accidents.
  • Nearly 90% of motorcycle accident victims are male
  • Around 30% of motorcycle crashes happen at intersections
  • Motorcyclists losing control of their bike is the largest contributing factor to motorcycle accidents in the state, followed by collision with other motor vehicles and crashes caused by wildlife on the roadway
90% of motorcycle accident victims are male
The most common motorcycle injures occur in the lower body

Motorcycle helmet statistics 

  • More than 60% of motorcyclists who were killed in accidents over the last decade were not wearing a helmet
  • The most common motorcycle accident injury is to the lower extremities, but the most severe injuries are often to the head
  • Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%

Common causes of motorcycle accidents

  • Distracted driving: Drivers of motor vehicles become much more dangerous and unpredictable when not fully focused on the road
  • Impaired driving: Around 25% of critical motorcycle accidents over the last five years involved at least one impaired driver
  • Failure to see the motorcyclist: After many accidents, drivers of passenger vehicles claim they did not see the motorcycle rider in the moments leading up to the crash
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
  • Improper lane changes: When drivers of passenger vehicles do not check blind spots and/or do not allow motorcyclists full use of a lane, the biker is put at risk
Woman texting and driving
Common motorcycle injuries

Common motorcycle accident injuries 

Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, motorcycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common types of motorcycle accident injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising (“road rash”)

Arizona Motorcycle Laws


diagram of a motorcycle

What is a “motorcycle” under Arizona law?

In the state of Arizona, a motorcycle is defined as a vehicle that: 

  • Is powered by a motor
  • Has a seat or saddle for the operator
  • Travels on not more than 3 wheels
  • May have a sidecar attached for transporting a single passenger

For the purpose of registration, this definition includes motorized bikes and scooters, but not mopeds, multipurpose vehicles, electric bicycles, or off-road recreational vehicles.

Is lane splitting legal in Arizona?

In March 2022, Arizona passed a law legalizing lane filtering, or the practice of motorcyclists sharing a lane with cars and trucks at stoplights to reduce traffic congestion. However, lane filtering is only allowed in certain circumstances.
Riders may ride between two lanes at no faster than 15 miles per hour, as long as the other vehicles on the road are stopped. Lane filtering is only allowed on roads with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less. It is also only allowed at stoplights– motorcyclists may not ride between lanes at non-intersection locations.

Full face motorcycle helmet on a dark gradient background

Do motorcyclists have to wear a helmet?

Anyone younger than 18 must wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Arizona. It is not mandatory for riders or drivers older than 18 to wear a helmet. However, motorcycle riders who are not wearing a helmet at the time of a crash are far more likely to be seriously injured or killed than those who are wearing a helmet.
There are two acceptable kinds of helmets for bikers to choose from:

  • Three-quarters helmet- an open-face helmet that covers your head and ears, but leaves your mouth and nose exposed 
  • Full-face helmet- covers your head, ears, mouth, nose, and chin

Regardless of the law, it is a good idea to wear a helmet whenever you are riding a motorcycle. Helmets have been proven to save lives and prevent traumatic brain injuries.

What licenses must a motorcyclist have to ride on public roads?

To drive a motorcycle or moped in Arizona, a rider must have a class M license. If a motorcycle rider already has another license (such as a license to operate a car), the class M license can be added as an endorsement to the already existing driver’s license.
If you are already a licensed driver in Arizona, the only requirements to obtain a class M license are:

  • Pass a written exam
  • Pass a medical and vision screening

 For an unlicensed driver to obtain a class M license, a motorcycle safety course must be completed first.

Rider passes through cones on the motorcycle safety training course.
Biker rides his motorcycle down a dare misty mountain road

What equipment must a motorcycle have to be street legal?

In order to ride on Arizona roadways, motorcycles must be equipped with:

  • Working headlamps
  • Blinkers
  • Rearview mirrors
  • Seat and footrests for all occupants

Motorcyclists are required to wear goggles, glasses, or a face shield. This is to protect the driver’s eyes from bugs or other debris. Not only is being hit in the eye painful, it presents a major safety hazard, since it can limit the driver’s ability to see. However, if a motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield, the driver does not need to wear eye protection.

Can motorcycles use the HOV lane?

There are more than 175 miles of HOV lanes (also known as high-occupancy vehicle lanes) in the Phoenix metro area. On weekdays from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, as well as 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the HOV lane is reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people. However, motorcycles may ride in the lane at any time, regardless of the number of passengers. This is also true of buses, emergency vehicles, and tow trucks.
Any vehicle that violates the HOV lane laws may be subject to fines of $400 or more.

Sign of the HOV lane entrance

When Should I Hire a Motorcycle Injury Attorney?


If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you likely have a lot on your plate. Between injuries, a damaged motorcycle, and expenses piling up, it may feel like life will never go back to normal.
To make matters worse, the other driver’s insurance company will likely do whatever they can to avoid offering you fair compensation for your damages. They may try to get you to settle for less than you deserve, diminish the severity of your injuries, or deny liability altogether.

The Advocates’ personal injury law firm has years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for our clients’ right to maximum compensation under the law. We understand that trying to fight with insurance companies on your own can be stressful and upsetting, and ultimately hinder your recovery.
We will take on the stressful parts of the claims process for you, from negotiating with the other party to helping you understand your medical bills. We offer 24/7 open communication with your legal team, so you’re never left feeling confused or in the dark. Contact our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation. You deserve excellent legal representation for your personal injury case. You deserve an Advocate.

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