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Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle crashes can be life-changing events that may lead to spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. The Advocates' Phoenix motorcycle accident attorneys can help.

Meeting in a law office

A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case 

Motorcycle accidents will often lead to property damage and personal injury. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable, given that there are fewer barriers protecting you. This is why it is one of the most dangerous forms of transportation.

Rehabilitation after a motorcycle accident may include medical treatment, paying medical bills, and interaction with insurance companies. There is a lot you must do. Do not do it alone. Hire a personal injury lawyer. They help you navigate the complex process of resolving an accident claim.

The Advocates are a law firm of seasoned personal injury lawyers, helping Arizonans in Phoenix and everywhere else in the Grand Canyon State. You deserve fair compensation after your accident. We are here to fight for that compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps in Your Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries and seek medical attention

Hire Attorney

Contact a personal injury lawyer with The Advocates to start your recovery

Treatment

Seek medical treatment for your injuries

Property Damage

Get the damage on your motorcycle repaired

Completed Treatment

When you have completed treatment, your Advocate will compile your medical records

Demand

Your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

  • Access medical care
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies
  • Take your case to court if necessary

We only get paid if we win your case!

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Arizona Motorcycle Law 101

What is the legal definition of a motorcycle?

In Arizona, a motorcycle is defined as a vehicle that:

  • Has no more than 3 wheels but usually has 2
  • Is powered by a motor
  • Has a seat or saddle for the operator
  • May have a sidecar attached for transporting a single passenger

For registration, this includes motorized bikes and scooters, but not mopeds, multipurpose vehicles, electric bicycles, or off-road recreational vehicles.

A motorcycle on an Arizona roadway must have:

  • Working headlamps
  • Blinkers
  • Rearview mirrors
  • Seat and footrests for all occupants

How can you legally operate a motorcycle in Arizona?

You cannot operate a motorcycle with a driving license. Every motorcyclist must get an M license, which requires you to pass a vision and medical assessment. This is an endorsement allowing any over 16 to operate a motorcycle. You must pass a permit test and pay a $7 fee. Minors must keep their permits for at least 6 months, after which they can upgrade to an endorsed motorcycle license. This does not expire until you are 65.

Motorcyclist rides the motorcycle safety course while instructor works with another student
Side Profile of a full-face motorcycle

Are helmets required by law?

Everyone under 18, whether operator or passenger, must wear a helmet. If you are over 18, the law does not require you to wear a helmet — but common sense does. Half of all motorcyclists who died in accidents were not wearing a helmet.

Get yourself an open-face or full-face helmet. Ensure it is approved by the Department of Transportation. It is not a question of style but safety. The protection of your body is the number one priority. Head trauma is a serious injury. Studies show, helmets reduce the risk by up to 69%.

Even though adults are not required to wear helmets, they must still have eye protection such as goggles or glasses.

Is lane-splitting legal?

No, lane-splitting is not legal. This is where motorcyclists bob and weave between lanes of traffic going the same direction.

Lane-filtering is when a rider performs lane changes between stopped vehicles. This is legal, with some stipulations:

  • All surrounding vehicles are stopped at a red light.
  • The speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less.
  • The road has at least two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
  • It can be performed with no risk to the motorcyclist or other drivers.
  • The rider must maintain a speed of 15 miles per hour or less.
Sign of the HOV lane entrance

Can motorcycles use the HOV lane?

Yes, they can.

There are more than 175 miles of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the Phoenix metro area. On weekdays from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the HOV lane is reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people.

Motorcycles may ride in the lane at any time, regardless of the number of passengers.

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Motorcycle saftey: Helmet, gloves, and jacket on a table

What to wear

Burn it onto your brain: Safety first. Helmets are the obvious starting point, but are only the beginning, not the entirety, of safety wear. There is much more gear that can prevent broken bones or catastrophic injuries.

  • Eye protection: Nothing hurts quite like a bug hitting your eye at 40 MPH. Your eyes are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. Protect them from dirt, debris, and the sun by wearing sunglasses or goggles.
  • Gloves: All season, non-slip gloves protect your hands. If you crash, they provide a little cushion between your palms and the road.
  • Closed-toe boots or shoes: Ensure they go up to your ankles. Proper footwear helps you ride longer and protects your feet in a crash.
  • Leather jacket and pants: They might make you sweat a lot, but that is better than sliding across the asphalt and getting road rash over most of your body.

How to ride safely

  • Understand everything about your bike. Split second decisions can be the difference between a mild and fatal accident. In those fleeting moments before an accident, you can only make the right choice if operating your bike is second nature.
  • Do a quick check to ensure it is road ready. Check the oil, tire pressure, brakes, clutch cables, and chain.
  • Plan your trip. Research road conditions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. If you are planning an extended trip, check out the best roads in Arizona.
A rider checks tire pressure before the ride their bike
An unidentified male riding motorcycle on the dark misty mountain road at dusk.

The safest type of motorcyclist

The best accident is the one that never happens. There is always a chance for tragedy with vehicles, but that diminishes when you take the right precautions:

  • Drive defensively. Assume other drivers cannot see you. Two thirds of motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers not seeing motorcyclists.
  • Keep your headlights on, even during the day.
  • Do not tailgate, weave through traffic or drive on the shoulder.
  • Stay out of other driver’s blind spots.
  • Always use a turn signal. Double-check before changing lanes or turning — especially when turning left. 40% of collisions are caused by vehicles turning left in front of a motorcycle.
  • Give vehicles in front of you a four-second buffer space. Tailgating will not give you the leeway to respond if a vehicle suddenly stops in front of you.
  • Be courteous. The road is for everyone.

When Should I Hire a Motorcycle Injury Attorney?

In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of your accident. There is a lot you must decide during that time. If you have been in a motorcycle crash, you probably don’t want to add hiring a lawyer to your list of things to do. But an attorney is the best means to ensure you get compensated for your injuries.

The Advocates’ personal injury law firm specializes in negotiating on your behalf and fighting for your right to maximum compensation under the law. We want to be the ones to take on the insurance companies. Let us carry the stress of the claims process, so you can focus on getting back to normal.

Contact our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free case evaluation. You deserve topnotch legal representation for your personal injury claim. You deserve an Advocate.

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