Glendale Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Many residents of Glendale, Arizona Love To Ride On Motorcycles

Motorcycle riding is a popular activity in Glendale, Arizona, as it offers a sense of freedom and adventure, and is a more economical mode of transportation than driving cars. However, the risks of injury or death in motorcycle accidents are much higher due to the lack of protection that motorcycles offer compared to passenger cars.

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to file a claim against them. To increase your chances of receiving full compensation for your losses, it is crucial to hire a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer with experience, knowledge, and a proven record of success in handling motorcycle accident lawsuits.

Importance of Experience With and Knowledge of Motorcycles

When looking for a Glendale motorcycle accident attorney, choose someone who has significant experience handling motorcycle accident cases and knowledge of riding motorcycles. This way, they can better understand the risks and challenges that motorcyclists face and build a stronger case.

At Lamber Goodnow, some of our attorneys are motorcycle enthusiasts who understand the emotional and financial challenges that accident victims face. With our experience, we can successfully pursue justice for motorcycle accident victims and recover the maximum compensation for them. Whether you are in Glendale, Phoenix, or anywhere in Arizona or the Southwest, we are dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions and recovering the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motorcycle collision fatalities increased by 11% from 2019 to 2020. In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. for a fatality rate of 31.64 per 1 million vehicle miles traveled. Another 82,500 motorcycles suffered non-fatal injuries for an injury rate of 468 per 1 million vehicle miles traveled. More than half (61.6%) of the fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in urban areas.

In Arizona, the Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 2,373 motorcycle crashes in 2020, with 1,855 resulting in non-fatal injuries and 163 resulting in fatalities. Only 15% of the collisions reported did not result in injuries or fatalities. In comparison, 129,744 car accidents were reported in Arizona that year, and 70% of them only resulted in property damage with no injuries or deaths.

As these statistics show, motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer injuries or fatalities in accidents than passenger car occupants. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to die in traffic accidents per vehicle mile traveled than other motorists.

Types of Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

The value of your motorcycle accident case will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the degree of the other motorist’s negligence, and whether you share some fault. Instead of quoting a specific amount, a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer will analyze your case to calculate a range of values within which you might anticipate a fair settlement to fall.

Motorcycle collision lawsuits typically involve claims for compensatory damages, which are monetary awards designed to compensate accident victims for their pecuniary or economic losses and their non-economic losses.

Special damages are designed to compensate victims for their out-of-pocket losses and include:

• Past and future medical costs
• Past and future income losses
• Property damage
• Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death cases
• Lost inheritance rights in wrongful death cases
• Loss of the value of the contributions the deceased victim would have made over their lifespan if they had survived in wrongful death cases

General damages are designed to compensate victims for their intangible losses and include:

• Disfigurement/scarring
• Disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Physical pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma/mental anguish
• Loss of consortium or guidance in wrongful death cases

In some cases, punitive damages might also be available. These are awarded when the defendant’s actions were grossly negligent, wanton, or willful. However, they are not awarded in every case.

How the Glendale Lamber Goodnow Attorneys Handle Motorcycle Collision Claims

At Lamber Goodnow, our Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers start working on your case immediately to gather and preserve evidence before it’s lost. We work with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to interview witnesses, preserve the accident scene, gather evidence, and build the strongest possible liability claims for our clients.

We send preservation letters to defendants to prevent them from destroying evidence that could help our clients. By preparing our cases from the start, we can frequently secure fair settlement offers for our clients. Insurance companies are aware of our attorneys’ records and are often unwilling to risk losing at trial to us.

Our Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers handle all types of collisions, including:

• Sudden lane change motorcycle collisions
• Left-turning motorist accidents
• Motorcycle collisions caused by drivers cutting corners too closely
• Tailgating motorcycle accidents
• Motorcycle collisions caused by sudden stops
• Motorists running stoplights and stop signs
• Defective motorcycle or car part accidents
• Defective road conditions resulting from poor maintenance or design

When you meet with us, we will conduct a thorough analysis and provide you with an honest assessment of the legal merits of your case.

Insurance and Motorcycle Accidents

In Arizona, auto accident claims, including those involving motorcycles, follow a fault-based system. This means that if you’re injured in an accident due to a motorist’s negligence, you will file a claim with the other motorist’s insurance company to recover compensation.

However, problems can arise when a driver is uninsured or underinsured. While all Arizona drivers are required to carry auto insurance with minimum liability coverage of $25,000/$50,000/$15,000 under ARS § 28-4009, some motorists drive without the minimum liability auto insurance.

Even if a motorist has the required minimum liability insurance, motorcycle collisions can cause severe injuries that require months or years of recovery. Thus, an at-fault party’s insurance policy limits may not be enough to cover your losses.

To address these problems, Arizona requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorists (UM/UIM) coverage at the time you purchase a policy under ARS § 20-259.01. While this coverage is not mandatory, you should consider purchasing it. If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, your UM/UIM coverage will pay you for your losses or the difference between your losses and the underinsured motorist’s policy up to your policy limits.

Discuss Your Case With A Lawyer Now

FAQs: Glendale Motorcycle Accidents

As a motorcyclist in Glendale, Arizona, it is essential to be aware of the risks associated with motorcycle accidents and the legal options available to you if you are injured in a collision. Our Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer at Lamber Goodnow has provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about motorcycle accidents.

Q: What should I do if I am injured in a motorcycle accident?

A: If you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, seek medical attention immediately, then contact a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer at Lamber Goodnow. We can help you understand your legal options and pursue a claim against the responsible party to recover compensation for your losses.

Q: What kind of compensation can I receive after a motorcycle accident?

A: If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensatory damages, including economic and non-economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, you may also be able to receive punitive damages.

Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim in Glendale?

A: In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including a motorcycle accident, is generally two years from the date of the accident. It is important to contact a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

Q: What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

A: If the other driver does not have insurance, you may be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Arizona requires insurance companies to offer this coverage, and it is recommended that you consider purchasing it.

Q: What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

A: Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. However, you may still be able to recover some compensation for your losses.

How can a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer help me?

A Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer at Lamber Goodnow can review your potential claim, investigate the accident, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation possible for your losses.