Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are dangerous roads, recklessness by motor vehicle drivers, and defects in motorcycles and motor vehicles. Pedestrians can also cause motorcycle accidents by entering the roadway unsafely, throwing debris, and engaging in other careless actions.
Despite some believing that motorcyclists are often the cause of accidents, it’s often others who endanger the rider—and, in many cases, cause them to suffer severe injury. If you or a loved one suffered any type of injury during a motorcycle accident, it’s time to ask for help. Hire a Chandler motorcycle accident attorney to lead your case while you recover.
Read more: What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle riders have limited ways to protect themselves, with many touting the importance of wearing helmets. The truth is, though, that riders are often at the mercy of others, starting with those who drive cars, trucks, and SUVs. If these parties act recklessly, riders face a great risk of serious injury.
With this in mind, some of the most common reasons why riders suffer injuries are:
Operating a motor vehicle is a great responsibility, but you might not know it based on the amount of drivers who:
Riders are more difficult to see. Motor vehicle drivers have a basic duty to look out for riders, check their blind spots, and exercise caution to avoid hitting riders. Of course, many drivers fail to take the most basic steps to avoid accidents.
An impairment is “any condition of the body or mind (impairment) that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities.” When talking about the act of driving, an impaired motorist may be one who:
When motorists operate a vehicle while impaired, they put others—including riders—at an unacceptable risk of injury and death.
Tires, brakes, steering components, engines, and other vehicle features must be in working condition. If they are not, the risk of an accident rises significantly.
If a defective component in a motor vehicle or motorcycle results in an accident, an attorney will determine who is liable for the defect.
Because they only have two wheels (and are more prone to tipping over and tossing the rider), motorcycles are more vulnerable to:
Riders can also be seriously injured when defective traffic signals, absent signs, poor lighting, and other hazards lead to collisions. In most cases, the municipality that oversees roadways and general safety is responsible for these road condition-related accidents.
Pedestrians may enter the roadway or act in other careless ways that cause riders to be injured. When this happens, the pedestrian is typically liable.
Read more: Who Is at Fault for Motorcycle Accidents?
Your lawyer will evaluate the facts of your motorcycle accident to determine who should pay for your damages. Some parties who are often obligated to pay include:
An injured rider or their affected loved ones may seek compensation directly from the at-fault party when:
While insurance often protects at-fault parties from having to pay, there are circumstances where the at-fault party must be financially responsible for the consequences of their actions.
Injured riders often appeal to insurance companies for compensation. This is the point of auto insurance, and it’s why states generally require motor vehicle owners to maintain valid insurance.
As an injured rider, you may file a claim with:
State laws, coverage limits, and the insurance status of all parties involved in the accident will influence how you file claims.
If your accident happened totally or partially due to a defective motor vehicle or motorcycle, you may seek compensation from the negligent manufacturer. You may file an insurance claim with their insurer or sue the manufacturer directly.
Employers may be liable when their employees cause motorcycle accidents while:
An employer’s insurance may cover the injured rider’s damages, and the rider may also be eligible to sue that employer in certain circumstances.
It’s not easy to determine who you should seek compensation from or how you should seek that compensation. Allow an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to advise you after the motorcycle collision. They will explain who is liable and actively seek compensation from those liable parties.
If you or your loved one were in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist, you are not the first. The never-ending problem of motorists choosing not to purchase insurance means:
Your attorney will propose a personalized case strategy. Their proposal may be based on:
Filing one or more insurance claims is typically the first step for most injured riders. However, if the at-fault party lacks insurance or insurance companies do not handle your case in good faith, suing can become the more appropriate course for you and your motorcycle accident attorney.
Riders often suffer severe road rash, brain injuries, and other accident-related ailments that require immediate medical attention. It’s your health, and nothing—including hiring a lawyer—must come before your well-being.
That being said, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer must be just behind emergency medical care on your priority list. Even as you are receiving medical treatment, you should look for opportunities to:
Motorcycle accident lawyers understand how hectic life is after a collision. These firms make the consultation and intake processes as easy as possible and should not interfere with your recovery process. Don’t wait to find your attorney.
As soon as you sign with your law firm, they will immediately:
Your motorcycle accident attorney will immediately become your representative with insurers. This is critically important because:
Insurance companies have resources (perhaps millions or billions of dollars worth) on their side. Protect yourself by hiring a lawyer.
Another urgent priority is securing evidence of fault for your accident. Your attorney will gather any relevant:
Your lawyer may hire an expert to reconstruct the motorcycle accident, especially if no clear collision video exists.
Riders’ damages are often substantial, and many of them will stem from injuries. Your attorney must prove the exact nature of your damages, which means they will obtain the following:
Attorneys understand that their clients suffer in many ways. They will reach out to doctors, motorcycle repair technicians, and anyone else who can help them prove the cost of your accident.
Assuming you file one or more insurance claims, your lawyer will present their financial demands to liable insurers. These demands will detail the nature of your losses and explain why your lawyer is demanding the sum of money they seek.
Fair compensation means that insurance companies cover:
You should face no financial hardship because of a motorcycle accident someone else caused. Your lawyer will fight for compensation that ensures you don’t.
As your lawyer progresses through the claims process, they’ll get a sense of whether insurance companies are going to offer you fair compensation. If they conclude that insurance companies aren’t going to pay fairly, they’ll speak with you about a lawsuit.
Filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit may:
Filing a lawsuit may not result in you receiving a fair settlement offer. That’s OK because your attorney can then proceed to trial.
Every motorcycle accident case unfolds in a different way. Having a lawyer will ensure that, no matter what twists or turns your case takes, you can continue to focus on your recovery without losing sleep about the claim or lawsuit.
Your lawyer may discover that you have suffered many damages, and many of them may be quite serious. Some of the damages that injured riders often face are:
Lawyers know they’re solely responsible for getting justice for injured riders. Trust your attorney to demand compensation that sets you up for financial security.
You can undoubtedly afford a motorcycle accident lawyer. Attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only receive a fee if you receive compensation.
Find your Chandler personal injury lawyer today. Let them begin fighting for the compensation you deserve, as your case is time-sensitive.
Left-turn conflicts at intersections. In 46% of fatal two-vehicle crashes (2023), the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle went straight/passed/overtook. That’s the dominant pattern to investigate first.
A large share, but not most. In 2023, 37% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred at intersections (63% not at intersections). Crashes are disproportionately urban (65%). Intersections remain the highest-risk environment for riders.
Very big. In 2023, 36% of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes were speeding—the highest of any vehicle type. 26% of riders killed were alcohol-impaired; in single-vehicle rider deaths, 41% were alcohol-impaired.
No. Fatalities overwhelmingly happen in clear/cloudy weather (97%)—so visibility/behavior, not storms, explains most risk. Light conditions matter: 56% in daylight, 39% in the dark. Also note riders are over-represented in fixed-object collisions (24%), signaling departure/obstacle issues.
Context matters. The national top trigger is still left turns (FAQ #1). In Arizona, classic lane-splitting is illegal, but lane filtering is allowed only when traffic is stopped, the road limit is ≤45 mph, and the rider travels ≤15 mph (A.R.S. §28-903(F) via SB 1273). Filtering within those limits isn’t negligence per se; fault turns on facts.