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Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ - Solorzano Law Firm
Phoenix & Tucson Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Get trusted legal help from Solorzano Law Firm, experienced in handling Phoenix motorcycle accident cases. Our motorcycle accident lawyer Phoenix team is dedicated to securing fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
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Motorcycle Accident Attorney Phoenix, Tucson
Motorcycle accidents can result in severe and life-altering injuries, often leaving victims with lasting physical pain and challenges. Even seemingly minor incidents on the road can lead to significant and sometimes fatal consequences for motorcyclists and their passengers. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to recognize the vulnerability of motorcyclists and may act negligently or recklessly, putting them at risk.
At our firm, we empathize with what you’re going through, and we’re here to support you in seeking justice for the harm caused by the negligence or recklessness of others on the road. We offer free consultations to discuss your motorcycle injury case and provide an estimate of the compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today to take the first step towards obtaining the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle exposes riders to many of the same dangers as driving a car, but motorcyclists also face added risks. Motorcycles are smaller, less protected, and easier for careless drivers to overlook. When another driver fails to see a motorcycle, misjudges its speed, or violates traffic laws, the result can be catastrophic.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield to an oncoming motorcycle can cause severe crashes. One common example is a driver making a left turn in front of an approaching motorcycle. Under Arizona law, a driver turning left at an intersection must yield to a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction if that vehicle is in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-772. This type of crash often happens because a driver is distracted, impatient, or fails to look carefully before turning.
Tailgating: Drivers who follow motorcycles too closely create serious danger. Motorcycles can stop quickly, and riders have less protection in a rear-end crash. Arizona law requires drivers not to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering speed, traffic, and road conditions. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-730. When a car or truck hits a motorcycle from behind, the rider may suffer severe injuries because there is little protection between the rider and the vehicle, pavement, or surrounding traffic.
Improper lane changes: Unsafe lane changes can cause a driver to sideswipe a motorcycle, force the rider out of the lane, or leave the rider with no safe escape route. Arizona law requires drivers to stay within a single lane as much as practicable and not move from that lane until the driver has first determined that the movement can be made safely. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-729. Drivers should also signal before turning or moving right or left on the roadway when another vehicle may be affected. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-754.
Unsafe speed: Speed can make a motorcycle crash more severe. A driver who travels too fast for traffic, weather, road conditions, or surrounding hazards may not have enough time to react to a motorcycle. Arizona law requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and to control speed as necessary to avoid a collision. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-701.
These are only a few examples. Motorcycle crashes may also happen because of distracted driving, impaired driving, unsafe turns, failure to check blind spots, road hazards, open car doors, aggressive driving, or drivers who misjudge a motorcycleās distance and speed.
Regardless of the cause, a Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer can help investigate the crash, gather evidence, review police reports, speak with witnesses, document injuries, and show how another driverās negligence caused the collision. Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, which means fault may be divided between the people involved. If the insurance company tries to blame the motorcyclist, the evidence will matter. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Arizona also places deadlines on injury claims. In many motorcycle accident cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542. Speaking with a lawyer early can help protect evidence, preserve witness testimony, and prevent missed deadlines.
Motorcycle Accident FAQs
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Arizona
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, your health and safety should come first. Move to a safe location if you can, check yourself and others for injuries, and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
Arizona law requires drivers involved in an accident that causes injury or death to stop at the scene and remain there until they have fulfilled the required duties. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-661. Drivers involved in an accident must also provide identifying information and render reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-663.
After a motorcycle crash, take these steps when possible:
Call 911 and report the accident: If the crash caused injury or death, Arizona law requires notice to law enforcement by the quickest means of communication. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-666. When law enforcement investigates a crash involving bodily injury, death, property damage over $2,000, or the issuance of a citation, the officer must complete a written accident report. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-667.
Get medical attention: Motorcycle crashes can cause injuries that are not obvious right away. You may have a concussion, internal injury, soft tissue injury, spinal injury, fracture, or road rash that worsens over time. Medical records also help connect your injuries to the crash.
Document injuries and property damage: If possible, take photos of your injuries, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, road conditions, and the crash location. Keep copies of medical records, bills, repair estimates, towing receipts, and other related expenses.
Gather witness and driver information: Collect names, phone numbers, insurance information, license plate numbers, and witness contact information. This evidence may help prove how the crash happened.
Avoid discussing fault with the insurance company: You are not required to give the other driverās insurance company a recorded statement before speaking with a lawyer. An adjuster may ask questions designed to reduce the value of your claim or shift blame onto you.
Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer: A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer can review your case, preserve evidence, deal with the insurance company, calculate damages, and explain your legal options.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Motorcycle injury cases are often handled on a contingency fee basis. This means you usually pay no attorney fee upfront. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of the recovery if the case settles or results in an award.
The exact fee can depend on the law firm, the stage of the case, whether litigation is required, and the terms of the written fee agreement. Before hiring an attorney, ask how fees, case costs, medical liens, and settlement disbursements are handled.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident?
You are not required to hire an attorney to file an insurance claim, but legal representation can be important after a motorcycle crash. Motorcycle accidents often involve serious injuries, disputed fault, biased assumptions about riders, expensive medical care, lost income, and long-term recovery needs.
You should consider speaking with a lawyer if:
You were injured
The crash involved a car, truck, commercial vehicle, or rideshare vehicle
The insurance company is blaming you
You need surgery, therapy, or long-term care
You missed work
Your motorcycle was badly damaged
The insurance company requested a recorded statement
You received a low settlement offer
Liability is disputed
Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, which means fault may be divided between the people involved. If the insurance company argues that the motorcyclist was partly responsible, any recovery may be affected by the percentage of fault assigned. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Insurance companies must also follow Arizona rules for claim handling. Arizona law identifies certain unfair claim settlement practices, including failing to act reasonably and promptly on claim communications and failing to provide a reasonable explanation for a claim denial or compromise settlement offer. See A.R.S. Ā§ 20-461.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can range from road rash to catastrophic trauma. Riders have less physical protection than drivers in passenger vehicles, so even a low-speed collision can cause serious harm.
Common injuries may include:
Road rash
Broken bones
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Neck and back injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Internal injuries
Shoulder and knee injuries
Burns
Nerve damage
Scarring and disfigurement
Amputation
Emotional trauma
A motorcycle accident claim may seek compensation for medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses caused by the crash.
Arizona Motorcycle Accident Claim Deadline
Arizona places deadlines on personal injury claims. In many motorcycle accident cases, a lawsuit must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542.
Missing the deadline can prevent an injured rider from pursuing compensation, even when the claim would otherwise be valid. Because deadlines and evidence issues can affect your case, it is important to speak with a Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Solorzano Law Firm. Our team can review the facts, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation available under Arizona law.
Why Choose the Solorzano Law Firm Team for My Motorcycle Injury Case?
At Solorzano Law Firm, we’re not just a team; we’re a group of seasoned legal professionals with decades of experience. We specialize in personal injury cases and pride ourselves on consistently achieving outstanding results for our clients. While not every case ends up in court, having a skilled trial lawyer by your side significantly boosts the chances of reaching a favorable settlement.
If your case does go to trial, rest assured that Jonathan Solorzano and our entire team are prepared to go the distance. We’ll put in the hard work and expertise necessary to ensure you receive top-notch legal representation and the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been injured or need someone to handle your motorcycle injury case, contact Jonathan at the Solorzano Law Team. He’ll meet with you for a free consultation, giving you a chance to experience firsthand our dedication and commitment to our clients.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ
Motorcycles offer freedom, excitement, and a unique way to experience Arizonaās open roads. But that freedom also comes with serious risk. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles do not surround riders with a protective frame, airbags, or seat belts. When another driver makes a careless decision, a motorcycle rider can suffer life-changing injuries.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash because of someone elseās negligence, Solorzano Law Firm can help. Our team understands how a motorcycle accident can affect your health, work, finances, and future. We can investigate the crash, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation available under Arizona law.
Role of a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle accident lawyer helps protect your rights after a crash. At Solorzano Law Firm, our team can review the facts, gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies, calculate damages, and prepare your case for settlement or litigation.
Our work may include:
Reviewing the police report
Collecting photos, video, and witness statements
Preserving crash evidence
Reviewing medical records
Calculating medical bills, lost income, and future care needs
Responding to insurance company arguments
Preparing a demand letter
Filing a lawsuit if needed
Representing you in settlement talks or court
Arizona follows a comparative negligence system. This means the insurance company may try to argue that the rider shares some percentage of fault. If a jury applies comparative negligence, damages may be reduced in proportion to the claimantās percentage of fault. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are More Dangerous
Motorcyclists face unique dangers on the road. Without the protection of a passenger vehicle, even a low-speed crash can cause serious injuries. Riders may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash, burns, internal injuries, nerve damage, scarring, and emotional trauma.
Many motorcycle crashes happen because drivers fail to see motorcycles, misjudge their speed, follow too closely, make unsafe turns, or change lanes without checking blind spots. These driver errors can leave a rider with little time to react.
The aftermath of a motorcycle crash can feel overwhelming. You may face emergency care, surgery, therapy, missed work, motorcycle repairs, pain, stress, and uncertainty about your future. A Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your options and protect your claim.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Phoenix
Understanding how a motorcycle accident happened is important for proving liability.
Common causes include:
Distracted or inattentive drivers: A driver who is looking at a phone, GPS, food, passengers, or something outside the vehicle may fail to see a motorcycle.
Unsafe lane changes or merging: Arizona law requires drivers to stay within a single lane as nearly as practicable and not move from that lane until the driver has first determined the movement can be made safely. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-729.
Speeding or driving too fast for conditions: Speed can increase crash force and reduce reaction time. Arizona law requires drivers to travel at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances.
Failure to yield: Left-turn crashes are common in motorcycle accident cases. Arizona law requires a driver turning left at an intersection to yield to an approaching vehicle from the opposite direction when that vehicle is in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard.
Following too closely: Tailgating is especially dangerous around motorcycles because riders have less protection in a rear-end crash. Arizona law prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.
Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug impairment can affect judgment, reaction time, speed control, and lane position.
Poor road conditions or defective traffic signals: Some crashes may involve unsafe road design, construction hazards, debris, potholes, missing signs, or malfunctioning traffic signals.
Motorcycle defects or mechanical failures: Defective brakes, tires, steering components, helmets, or motorcycle parts may contribute to a crash or worsen injuries.
Identifying the cause of the accident helps determine who may be responsible and what evidence must be preserved.
What to Do Immediately After a Phoenix Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident in Phoenix can be stressful and painful. The steps you take after the crash can protect your health, preserve evidence, and support your personal injury claim.
Call 911 if anyone is injured. Arizona law requires a driver involved in an accident that results in injury or death to give notice of the accident immediately by the quickest means of communication. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-666.
Stop and remain at the scene. Arizona law requires a driver involved in an accident that causes injury or death to stop and remain at the scene until the required duties are fulfilled. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-661.
Exchange information and help injured people. Arizona law requires drivers involved in qualifying accidents to provide identifying information and render reasonable assistance to injured people. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-663.
Get medical care. Motorcycle crash injuries may not be obvious right away. A concussion, internal injury, soft tissue injury, spinal injury, or fracture may worsen over time.
Take photos and videos. If it is safe, document the vehicles, motorcycle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, skid marks, debris, injuries, and the surrounding area.
Collect witness information. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash.
Do not admit fault. Share facts with police, but avoid guessing about fault or apologizing in a way that may be misused later.
Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after the crash. A lawyer can help protect you from statements that may be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Report a Motorcycle Accident to the Police
Reporting the crash helps create an official record. When law enforcement investigates a crash involving bodily injury, death, property damage over $2,000, or the issuance of a citation, Arizona law requires a written accident report. See A.R.S. Ā§ 28-667.
When speaking with police:
Provide clear and truthful information
Explain what you saw and experienced
Identify witnesses
Mention visible injuries
Avoid guessing about speed, distance, or fault
Ask how to obtain the report number
A police report can help document the crash location, involved drivers, insurance information, citations, witness information, and the officerās initial observations.
Essential Information to Gather at the Accident Scene
If your injuries allow, gather as much information as possible.
Important details include:
Driver names and phone numbers
Driverās license information
Insurance information
License plate numbers
Vehicle make, model, and color
Photos of vehicle and motorcycle damage
Photos of visible injuries
Witness names and contact information
Road conditions
Traffic signals or signs
Nearby cameras or businesses
Weather and lighting conditions
Tow truck information
Medical treatment location
This evidence can help your lawyer investigate liability and respond if the insurance company tries to blame you.
Protecting Your Rights Starts With the Right Legal Advice
After a motorcycle crash, insurance adjusters may contact you quickly. They may sound helpful, but their job is to evaluate the claim for the insurance company.
Before speaking with the other driverās insurer, you should consider talking to a motorcycle accident attorney. A lawyer can explain what information you must provide, what questions may be risky, and how to avoid common claim mistakes.
You should avoid:
Giving a recorded statement without legal advice
Signing medical authorizations that are too broad
Accepting a quick settlement before treatment is complete
Posting about the crash or injuries online
Guessing about fault
Minimizing your pain or symptoms
Once a settlement release is signed, you may lose the right to seek additional compensation later, even if your injuries get worse.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may question fault, injury severity, medical treatment, motorcycle repair costs, lost income, and future care needs. They may also argue that the rider was speeding, hard to see, lane splitting, or partly responsible for the crash.
Arizona law identifies certain unfair claim settlement practices. These include failing to act reasonably and promptly on claim communications, refusing to pay claims without a reasonable investigation, and failing to provide a reasonable explanation for a claim denial or compromise settlement offer. See A.R.S. Ā§ 20-461.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can manage insurance communication, organize medical records, document damages, respond to low offers, and prepare the case for litigation if settlement talks fail.
Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident claim may seek compensation for the full impact of the crash.
Damages may include:
Emergency medical care
Hospital bills
Surgery
Medication
Physical therapy
Future medical care
Lost wages
Reduced earning ability
Motorcycle repair or replacement
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring or disfigurement
Disability
Loss of enjoyment of life
The value of a motorcycle accident case depends on the facts, injuries, medical evidence, liability, available insurance, and long-term impact on the injured rider.
Arizona Motorcycle Accident Claim Deadline
Arizona places deadlines on personal injury claims. In many cases, a motorcycle accident lawsuit must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542.
Missing this deadline can prevent an injured rider from pursuing compensation, even if the case would otherwise be valid. Because evidence can disappear and witness memories can fade, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash.
Why Choose Solorzano Law Firm
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Phoenix, choosing the right legal representation matters. Solorzano Law Firm helps injured riders understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain, and other losses.
Our team provides clear communication, careful case preparation, and legal support focused on your recovery. We can guide you from the first consultation through settlement negotiations or litigation if needed.
Contact Solorzano Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident in Phoenix, AZ, do not wait to get legal help. Solorzano Law Firm can review your case, explain your options, and help protect your rights.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.