Motorcyclists in Arizona and around the country may enjoy the freedom and sense of adventure that comes with traveling on two wheels, but they are also far more likely to be killed or injured in a crash than car, pickup truck or SUV drivers. Motorcycle helmets and protective gear have improved greatly, but not much can be done to circumvent the laws of physics.
Many motorcycle accidents are caused by passenger vehicle drivers who do not see motorcycles or misjudge how far away they are or how fast they are traveling, and even the most cautious and seasoned riders can do little to avoid serious injury when oncoming cars make unexpected right turns right in front of them. Studies have found that two thirds of motorcycle crashes are caused by car or truck drivers making this or similar mistakes, and motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled since 1999.
Motorcyclists are often young and reckless, and excessive speed or dangerous riding are factors in many of the accidents they are involved in. However, this does not mean they cannot pursue civil remedies after being injured in a crash. Arizona’s comparative negligence rules allow motorcyclists to seek compensation even if they were partially to blame for the accident in question, but the amount of damages they can recover will be adjusted to reflect their degree of fault, assuming that it is not greater than that of the defendant.
Experienced personal injury attorneys may study accident reports and the statements made by witnesses carefully when preparing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Allocating fault is extremely important in these cases, and attorneys may conduct additional investigations when official sources are inconclusive. Glendale motorcycle accident lawyers or their investigators may canvas the area in question for witnesses or security cameras that may have been overlooked by the police.