Tempe Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents in Tempe can be devastating, impacting all aspects of the victim’s life. The injuries you suffer from such accidents can be severe and may have a lifelong impact on the victim and their families. Some of the most common injuries include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and road rash. These injuries can lead to physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle crash, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately. You should also consult a reliable Tempe motorcycle accident lawyer to advocate for your rights and seek compensation for your losses.

At Gerber Injury Law, we deeply understand the pain and trauma caused by motorcycle accidents. We are not just professionals but also compassionate individuals committed to helping victims and their families rebuild their lives. Our unwavering passion for justice makes us the perfect choice if you’re seeking to recover from such unforeseen circumstances. We are here to guide you during the accident’s aftermath, ensuring you don’t make mistakes that harm your claim.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Arizona

Tempe is home to a large number of motorcyclists. The city may be an excellent place for motorcycle enthusiasts. However, you should be aware of the risks. According to a recent report from the Arizona Department of Transport, 228 motorcyclists tragically lost their lives in 2022 — an increase from 167 in 2021.

Have you or your loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Tempe? Rest assured, Gerber Injury Law’s friendly and family-oriented legal team is here to help. With over 25 years of experience handling motorcycle accident injury claims, we understand how these accidents can impact your family. That’s why we are here to offer the best possible representation.

The following are crucial steps you should take immediately if you have been in a motorcycle accident in Tempe:

1. Prioritize Medical Care

When you are involved in an Arizona motorcycle accident, the most important thing is to prioritize your health and safety. Seek emergency medical care for any injuries you may have sustained. Follow all the treatment recommendations from medical professionals to ensure a proper recovery. Adhering to medical advice also helps to strengthen your personal injury claim.

2. Contact the Police

Arizona law mandates reporting accidents to the police within a specific timeframe. Ensure you report the accident promptly and obtain a copy of the police report for your records.

3. Avoid Admitting Fault

Whether you’re speaking to law enforcement, insurance adjusters, or other parties involved, do not argue or admit fault. Admitting fault or saying things such as “I’m sorry” or “My bad” can jeopardize your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. Provide factual information about the accident and avoid volunteering unnecessary details. An experienced Tempe motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with communications and prevent inadvertent admissions of guilt.

4. Document Everything

Create a comprehensive file documenting the accident, injuries, and the impact on your life. It should include the police report, medical records, bills, and any correspondence with insurers. Keep a detailed file documenting symptoms, pain levels, treatment effectiveness, and how the injuries affect your daily life, work, and relationships. This documentation is crucial evidence to support your Tempe motorcycle accident compensation claim.

5. Talk to a Lawyer

Don’t underestimate the importance of seeking legal counsel from a Tempe personal injury attorney experienced in handling motorcycle accident cases. Our skilled legal team can offer guidance, protect your rights, and advocate for you to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses.

Our Tempe motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help you every step after your motorcycle accident. We work hard from the start, covering all the bases and setting up your personal injury case for success. Our talented attorneys have earned the trust and respect of our clients for nearly 30 years, winning 99% of our cases.

What Are the Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Tempe?

Unlike passenger vehicles, one of the biggest dangers of riding a motorcycle is the lack of protection. Motorbikes do not have steel walls or airbags to protect motorcyclists in the event of an accident. It leaves you exposed to severe injuries that can have life-changing consequences. Motorcycle crash records from the Arizona Department of Transportation indicate that:

• There were 228 motorcycle fatalities in 2022, a 36.5% increase from the previous year. 42% of these fatalities involved motorcyclists and passengers not wearing helmets.
• Not using safety devices caused 364 fatalities and 944 injuries, accounting for 38.6% and 6.6% of the totals, respectively.
• Alcohol-related crashes resulted in 223 fatalities and 3,538 injuries, which is a slight decline from the 253 deaths and 3,617 injuries in 2021.

Motorcycle accidents in Tempe can occur due to various factors, each posing unique risks to riders. The following are the common types of motorcycle accidents:

Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers

Motorcycle accidents caused by drunk drivers are a serious issue in Tempe. These accidents can result in severe injuries or even fatalities for motorcyclists. When a driver is intoxicated, their judgment is impaired. Their reaction time is also impacted, making it hard to avoid accidents.

Roadway Debris and Foreign Objects

Potholes, loose gravel, oil spills, and other discarded objects can spell disaster for motorcyclists, causing them to lose control of their bikes, resulting in skids, slides, and even crashes. If the municipality was aware of a hazardous road condition and did not take action to fix it, they could be held responsible for the damages a motorcyclist endures due to the accident.

Accidents With Distracted Drivers

Distracted driving is a major cause of motorcycle accidents in Tempe. Drivers distracted by mobile phones, navigation systems, or other passengers may fail to notice motorcyclists sharing the road. Common motorcycle accidents in Tempe involving distracted drivers include rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and intersection crashes, which pose serious safety risks to riders.

Crashes Related To Blind Spots

Sadly, motorcycle accidents caused by other motorists not checking their blind spots are common in Tempe. Because of their smaller sizes, motorcycles are harder to spot on the road, especially in a driver’s blind spots. These accidents often happen when drivers don’t properly check their blind spots while merging or changing lanes, resulting in collisions with motorcyclists unaware of the danger.

Unsafe Lane Changes and Intersection Collisions

Unsafe lane changes and intersection collisions are other common types of motorcycle accidents in Tempe. Unfortunately, these accidents occur when drivers fail to signal lane changes, yield the right of way at intersections, or correctly judge the speed and distance of approaching motorcycles. Due to the lack of protection, motorcyclists risk severe injuries or even fatalities.

What Factors Are Considered in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

There are several factors to consider when filing a motorcycle injury claim. At Gerber Injury Law, our reputable motorcycle accident attorneys near Tempe, carefully evaluate multiple factors before filing your claim. These include:

• Helmet law. Did you know that Arizona has a no-helmet law? While this may sound like a perk for motorcyclists, it can impact their civil claims, especially head injury claims. That’s why we address this issue proactively to ensure our clients know the potential consequences of not wearing a helmet.
• Protective clothing. Remember that the clothes and protective gear you wear can impact your insurance claim. Wearing goggles, boots, gloves, and other protective clothing, such as an abrasion-resistant, long-sleeved jacket and long pants, could strengthen your case. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum possible damages, and we work hard to counter any accusations that you contributed to your injuries.
• Blind spot. In Arizona, a defendant in an injury claim related to a motorcycle accident cannot argue or use the defense ‘I did not see her.’ If you’re riding a motorcycle and in the driver’s blind spot during an accident, the driver may bear responsibility for the crash.
• Stopping distance. It’s not unusual for individuals new to motorcycling to struggle to grasp the physical nuances of stopping on two wheels compared to four. As your legal advocates, we will prioritize thoroughly clarifying this distinction for insurance adjusters, judges, and jurors, particularly in cases involving accidents at intersections or left-hand turns in Tempe.

At Gerber Injury Law, we pride ourselves on treating you like part of our family. Our dedicated team goes above and beyond to meticulously assess your case, leaving no detail unchecked in crafting a strategy for success. With almost three decades of experience in assisting motorcycle accident victims and families coping with the loss of loved ones, we’re here to expertly guide you through filing personal injury and wrongful death claims.

What Damages Can Be Included in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

We’ve seen time and time again how injured riders or their loved ones overlook the chance to seek and obtain fair compensation in personal injury claims due to their limited understanding of the available types of damages. Motorcycle accident victims in Tempe who’ve suffered due to negligence may have the opportunity to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages through insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits.

Economic damages refer to quantifiable losses, while non-economic damages refer to intangible losses without a definite monetary value. Below are examples of recoverable damages following a motorcycle accident in Arizona.

Medical Expenses

In a motorcycle accident, medical and other treatment expenses comprise a significant portion of your personal injury claim. These include:

• Costs of hospitalization
• Surgeries and medical procedures
• Emergency room treatment
• Doctor’s visits
• Prescription medications
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Medical equipment and assistive devices
• Future medical expenses related to ongoing treatment or care

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering damages are intended to provide compensation for the physical and emotional distress that you may experience as a result of a motorcycle accident. These may include physical pain and discomfort, emotional anguish and psychological trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, as well as mental anguish and emotional distress.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

If you sustained a severe injury when the motorcycle accident occurred, chances are you’ll need some time off work to recover from your injuries. That means you could face lost wages and decreased earning potential. But don’t worry — you may be entitled to compensation to help make up for these setbacks.

Motorcycle Repair or Replacement

During the accident, your motorcycle could sustain significant damage. Your motorcycle might also be a total wreck due to the crash’s impact. So, if your bike was totaled, you may be entitled to compensation for the fair market value of your motorcycle to replace it with a new one instead of paying for repairs. In addition to compensation for the damage to your motorcycle, you could also recover compensation for any other personal property damaged in the accident, including your protective gear, helmets, or personal belongings.

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, punitive damages can be awarded in Arizona. These damages are meant to punish the defendant for their wrongful or malicious conduct. To receive these damages, the plaintiff must prove the defendant acted with an “evil hand and evil mind.”

Talk To a Gerber Injury Law Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it can be hard to navigate the complex legal process. That’s why seeking legal guidance from experienced Tempe motorcycle accident lawyers is essential.

At Gerber Injury Law, we are ready to advocate for your rights and best interests. Our personal injury attorneys have a proven record of obtaining fair compensation for motorcycle accident victims. We offer each client personalized care, strategic representation, and compassionate support.

If you’re seeking justice and compensation for your injuries and damages, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with Gerber Injury Law’s motorcycle accident lawyers in Tempe. Contact us today at 623-486-8300 for a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.