Motorcycle Accidents

Of the 59,373 fatal automobile accidents that occurred in 2005, 4,655 involved a motorcycle.  During that same year, there were about 103,000 motorcycle accidents, 80,000 of which involved some type of personal injury.

Blake Law Firm has successfully represented numerous motorcycle accident victims and their families over the years.  We have obtained the maximum recoverable amount for many of our clients, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disability or disfigurement, property damage, and pain and suffering.

Bias Against Motorcycle Accident Victims

We are all familiar with the bias the general public has against motorcycle riders who are injured.  Many people assume that because motorcycle riding appears dangerous, any harm riders suffer must be due to their own actions.  Anticipating these inaccurate misperceptions, we carefully analyze and evaluate each case to determine who is liable and advocate vigorously on our clients’ behalf to prove this to the other driver’s insurance carrier.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Riding a motorcycle can be much more dangerous than driving a car, particularly since motorcycles lack the stability of four-wheeled vehicles.  Other aspects that make motorcycle riding dangerous include the reduced visibility of motorcycles to other drivers and the high skill level necessary to ride a motorcycle safely.  As a consequence when motorcycle accidents occur, individuals often suffer significant, catastrophic injuries, such as:

  • Traumatic brain or head injuries.
  • Spinal cord or neck and back injuries.
  • Burn injuries.
  • Fractures or severe broken bones.
  • Dislocations and sprains/strains.

For a discussion on serious accident injuries, please see the catastrophic injuries page.

Arizona Motorcycle Safety Rules

To protect the safety of motorcycle operators and passengers, Arizona law requires that motorcycle riders follow certain safety rules, such as:

  • Protective helmet:  All motorcycle riders who are under 18 years of age must wear a protective helmet.
  • Protective eyewear:  Motorcycle operators must wear protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield.
  • Protection for passengers:  A motorcycle must be equipped with a seat, footrests, and handrails for the passenger.
  • Lane splitting:  Arizona law prohibits the motorcycle operator from overtaking and passing in the same lane already occupied by the vehicle that is being overtaken.  Additionally, motorcycle riders cannot operate their motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles.

If you were injured in a serious motorcycle accident and another party was at fault, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Blake Law Firm for a free initial consultation.

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