Motorcyclists couldn’t ask for a better city to ride through on a bright, sunny day. Phoenix is a beautiful city for motorcyclists to enjoy and they get to take advantage of this weather nearly all year long. While there are plenty of ways for riders to increase their safety, whether it’s wearing protective gear or driving with caution and alertness, a negligent driver on the road could cause an accident that hurts the motorcyclist. If you were riding your motorcyclist and a careless driver injured you, then you can seek your legal options with a Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer from Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm.
When you’re recovering from your injuries, our lawyers will be diligently fighting for your rights. We’ll be at your side to answer your questions and keep you updated about your case. We understand how stressful it can be to have a long recovery ahead of you and how important it is for you to get fair compensation for your injuries and losses. We’ll fight for you to get the recovery you deserve.
How Did Your Motorcycle Accident Occur in Arizona?
Arizona had 129,750 total crashes in 2019. 2,676 of these crashes involved motorcycles. Negligent drivers cause motorcycle collisions that could have been prevented, but instead leaves the rider with debilitating injuries and other losses.
It’s important to know how they acted negligently so you can show that their actions are what caused your accident. The following reasons could have caused the collision:
- Dangerous Driving. A driver could be speeding, following too closely, distracted driving, and drunk driving are all examples that could easily cause a motorcycle accident. These actions reduce the driver’s control of the vehicle, keeps their eyes off the road, and they will likely not be aware of bikers close to them on the road.
- Failing to Yield. If a car fails to yield for a motorcycle, whether it’s because they didn’t notice them or thought they could get into the lane before the motorcyclist caught up with them, then they can cause a collision.
- Failure to Check Blind Spots. Bikers are much smaller to spot on the road compared to cars. A driver may look to see if there are cars, but not notice a motorcyclist. They could be entering a highway and need to merge and not see a biker in the lane next to them.
- Running Stop Signs/Red Lights. At a stop sign or a red light, a driver may roll through the stop or try to “beat” the light. If they run through the intersection and a motorcyclist has the right of way, they can cause an accident.
Your lawyers will carefully examine the police report and other evidence about the crash to find out what happened and who was at fault. We’ll show that the other driver failed to provide you with the duty of care to drive safely.
Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
A motorcycle accident can cause life-threatening injuries because the rider has little to no protection. They don’t have something to absorb most of the impact. The most a motorcyclist can do is wear protective gear like a helmet, long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and boots. But even if they have protective gear, they can still sustain serious injuries in accidents. Let’s take a look at some types of accidents that can occur.
- Dooring. This happens when someone is exiting their car and doesn’t check to see if the lane is clear. They swing open the door and can strike a motorcyclist.
- Lane Change Collisions. When a driver is changing lanes, they may not notice a motorcyclist next to them.
- Left-Turn Accidents. Intersections can be dangerous areas when someone is making a left turn across traffic. The driver may think they have a clear lane and could hit a motorcyclist traveling through the intersection.
- Head-On Collisions. These kinds of accidents can be fatal because the front of the car collides with the front wheel of the motorcycle.
Minor collisions can still be dangerous for motorcyclists because it doesn’t take a lot for riders to lose their balance and fall. They may suffer injuries from two impacts: the initial impact with the car and then hitting the ground. Motorcyclists can sustain serious injuries like:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Lower Extremity Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Road Rash
After an accident, you may need immediate medical attention and could have to spend time in the hospital. As you’re recovering, insurance adjusters may start to contact you to get your statement about the crash. It’s important to not give an official statement because this could be used to reduce your claim. The insurance company will look for reasons to place some of the fault on you, which could result in you not being able to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries.
A Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer will communicate with insurance companies so you don’t have to worry about harassing phone calls or accidentally providing information that they can used against you. While we’re dealing with the insurance company, you can work on your recovery.
What Damages Will Your Lawyer Fight for You to Recover?
The costs and other losses after a motorcycle accident can be extensive. You’re trying to heal and get back on your feet, but you need time to do so. Your time away from work and the costs of medical care can pile up quickly—that’s where a Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer can help you.
We’ll review all the evidence available to see how the accident has affected you and how it will continue to do so. When we’re assessing your losses, we’ll look at your medical costs:
- Hospital Costs
- Surgery Costs
- Physical Therapy
- Ambulance Costs
- Meetings with Specialists
- Tests and Scans
- Future Medical Costs
In addition to calculating your losses in medical bills, we’ll also look into your lost wages, or the days of work you’ve missed and will miss while you heal. If diminished earning capacity or loss of earnings apply to your case, we’ll also include these in what you can recover.
Another financial loss is the damage your motorcycle. Your lawyer will also include the repair costs in your compensation, too.
There’s another aspect of damages you can recover called noneconomic damages. These aren’t financial losses, but other ways you have suffered because of your injuries. You may be able to recover:
- Pain and Suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
We’ll fight hard to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries. If the other side is trying to place the fault on you when you did nothing wrong, then we’ll continue to show through the evidence we’ve gathered that you were wrongfully injured and did not contribute to the crash or your injuries. This may mean your case could need to proceed to court.
Our Arizona trial lawyers will protect your rights in the courtroom. We understand how intimidating it can be to go to court and to have the other party’s representation try to find reasons to show you don’t deserve the compensation you’re seeking. Our lawyers have experience in navigating the court and will build your case to show you weren’t at fault and sustained injuries because of the other party’s negligence. We can explain how the process will work so you feel confident and ready.
Reach Out to Buckingham Barrera Vega Law Firm Today
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you’ll want an experienced Phoenix, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer representing your best interests. Our law firm will help you with your claim so you’re able to work on getting the care you need for recovery.
Call us today for an obligation-free consultation of your case. We can go over your options and find the best way for you to move forward. Our attorneys can get started fighting for you.