Scottsdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents often cause serious injuries to motorcycle riders. Most motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the motorcycle rider, but rather, car drivers who fail to pay attention to motorcyclists.
A motorcycle accident can leave you with massive medical expenses and cause you to suffer financially due to lost wages from missing work. After some motorcycle accidents, victims may be unable to work again and require ongoing medical care.
The worst part of a motorcycle accident is that the insurance company might try to blame you during your motorcycle accident claim. This is why you should not move forward without the help of a Scottsdale motorcycle accident lawyer.
At Wyatt Injury Law, our motorcycle accident lawyers are well-versed in the tactics used by the insurance company to reduce or deny your injury claim. Let a Scottsdale motorcycle accident lawyer from our legal team be there for you to help you recover financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Call today to set up a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney from our legal team and learn about the legal options following motorcycle collisions.
The Importance of Hiring a Scottsdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After a motorcycle wreck, it is best to hire a Scottsdale motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle crashes are often blamed on motorcycle riders because the insurance company views them as risk-takers.
The fact is that most motorcycle accidents logged by the Arizona Department of Transportation are caused by other drivers on the road. Still, this doesn’t mean you won’t be assigned blame and have your expected settlement reduced.
When you work with a Scottsdale motorcycle attorney from Wyatt Injury Law, you will have someone who fully understands the applicable state laws. We conduct thorough research for our legal arguments and are prepared to fight all the way to the courtroom if necessary to get fair compensation on your behalf.
We can negotiate with the insurance company from the beginning of your motorcycle accident claim and reduce your stress. This allows you to focus on healing from your injuries and following all treatment plans prescribed by your doctors.
If you were in a motorcycle crash, let a Scottsdale motorcycle accident lawyer from Wyatt Injury Law assist you with the challenging task of proving negligence to get you the money you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Common Causes of Scottsdale Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligent behavior of other car drivers. In your motorcycle accident case, we will investigate and gather evidence to show the true cause of your motorcycle crash to hold the other motorist responsible.
Negligent Driving Behaviors
In motorcycle accidents, it is usually the negligent behavior of car drivers rather than the motorcyclist who causes the crash. A motorcycle accident is often the result of another driver failing to properly check their blind spots before changing lanes. Distracted driving can also mean that drivers do not take the right steps prior to changing lanes or merging onto highways.
Drivers of passenger vehicles may not yield the right of way to motorcyclists or miscalculate the distance or speed of an oncoming motorcycle. In all of these scenarios, negligence is a factor that leads to a motorcycle crash. A motorcycle accident attorney can help prove that the other driver caused the accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Every driver on the road is in danger when there is a drunk driver behind the wheel. Motorcyclists have less protection from these reckless types of motorists. A drunk driver will have delayed reactions, be more prone to making riskier moves, or even lose control of their vehicle, which can cause a motorcycle accident.
Inclement Weather
Some motorcycle accidents may be the result of bad weather. When certain conditions arise, everyone on the road should drive with added caution. Many motorcyclists prepare for weather events, but sometimes, drivers in cars do not, which can be the cause of a motorcycle accident.
Road Hazards
Local government entities are responsible for maintaining roads to keep them safe. Motorcyclists are in greater danger than people in passenger vehicles because a pothole can easily cause them to lose control and fly off their motorcycle. Debris, uneven pavement, and other road hazards should be removed by government agencies to prevent accidents from occurring.
Personal injury cases involving motorcycle accidents can be much more challenging to handle on your own compared to a car accident or truck accident. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation when someone else negligently caused your injuries. A motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm can provide a free review of your case and help you learn about your legal options.
Common Motorcycle Injuries in a Scottsdale Motorcycle Accident
In a motorcycle accident, you are likely to sustain serious physical injuries from this event. This is why every personal injury lawyer advises victims to seek medical attention immediately after a motorcycle accident to get the help they need and protect their legal rights.
These injuries are most common for injured motorcyclists:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A head injury or traumatic brain injury can have devastating effects for motorcyclists. Even for those who wear helmets, it may not be enough to completely reduce the impact of slamming into the road when another vehicle crashes into them. A helmet can provide some protection, but you may still wind up with a concussion, skull fracture, contusion, or other head injury that will require extensive medical care.
Spinal Cord Injuries
An injury to your spinal cord could leave you partially or fully paralyzed, preventing you from ever enjoying your motorcycle or other activities again. Other injuries to the back can also include herniated discs that may be a constant source of pain for the rest of your life.
Broken Bones
When a car or truck slams into you while you’re riding your motorcycle, it can send you tumbling across the road. The impact of hitting the pavement can fracture bones in your arms, legs, collarbone, rib cage, and pelvis. You could shatter bones from the fall off your motorcycle or when other motorists run over you.
Road Rash
If you’re not wearing protective clothing, road rash is the most likely result of tumbling across the asphalt after a motorcycle accident. Severe injuries may require skin grafts to repair the damage caused from road rash.
Internal Injuries
When you are in a motorcycle accident, internal injuries are among the most dangerous. These potentially life-threatening injuries can impact vital organs. If you have a rib fracture, bone fragments can puncture your lungs. Even if you don’t experience any symptoms, it is always wise to have emergency medical services check you to make sure you don’t have damage to your spleen, liver, kidneys, or other internal organs.
Psychological Impacts
Being involved in a motorcycle accident often causes more than physical wounds. The trauma you have endured can cause you to experience post-traumatic stress disorder or suffer depression due to the limitations caused by your physical condition.
When another driver causes you to become injured in a motorcycle crash, you need a motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Motorcycle crashes often cause fatalities as well, leaving families grieving. If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Wyatt Injury Law to speak with an injury attorney about your case in a free and confidential consultation.
Understanding the Motorcycle Accident Claims Process
After a motorcycle accident, you should file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Unfortunately, the other driver may be doing the same thing on their end by contacting your insurer. While you do not need a motorcycle accident lawyer for this part of the process, it may be in your best interests to have an advocate on your side from the start.
It is very common for insurers to claim that you were not following proper motorcycle safety protocols. The driver of the other vehicle may try to claim that you were driving recklessly. When the insurer and the driver of the other vehicle tries to avoid liability for causing your motorcycle accident, you do not want to face the legal process alone.
The insurers will conduct an investigation into the accident and make a decision as to who is at fault. They may claim that the driver of the car was at fault, or they may assign some or all of the blame to you.
Since Arizona is an at-fault insurance state, the driver who caused the crash is the one who must pay for damages. Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the driver and motorcyclist could each be given partial blame. Even though you can still recover financial damages, you will not be awarded enough for your financial losses.
Motorcycle accidents are a significant cause of major physical, emotional, and financial impacts. If you are being blamed or the insurer is denying your claims, then you will need to file a personal injury case to recover these losses.
The process begins with a consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer from Wyatt Injury Law. During this time, we evaluate how the damages you’ve experienced have impacted your life and calculate all the losses to arrive at a fair amount for your financial compensation.
Investigations and Evidence
In a motorcycle accident, it is imperative to prove that the other party was at fault in order to hold them liable. We dig deep into the investigation process and recover the physical evidence available. Often, many victims in motorcycle accidents wind up being taken directly to the hospital, making it impossible for them to take photos or videos on the scene.
We get started right away by gathering evidence before it disappears. We can acquire footage from traffic cameras and check the area for surveillance cameras. We check all relevant traffic laws and interview witnesses to obtain witness statements that can support your claim.
Sending the Demand Letter
After investigating and preparing the evidence, we will send a demand letter to the driver involved in the crash. This letter will list all your damages from the collision and initiate negotiations.
The Negotiation Process
Once the demand letter is sent and the other party responds, a motorcycle accident lawyer will begin negotiations. The goal of your motorcycle accident lawyer is to get a fair settlement, which may happen in the first round of negotiations. However, if the driver that caused the crash and left you injured disagrees with the amount, additional negotiations may be required until everyone can agree.
Trial
The vast majority of cases involving accidents with motorcycles tend to be resolved through negotiations. However, there may be cause for your motorcycle accident lawyer to reject the offer and go to a trial. When the settlement offer is not substantial enough to cover the damages you’ve experienced, it makes little sense to accept it. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will be fighting to get you the maximum amount that will cover future medical costs and protect you from being stuck paying out of pocket for an accident someone else caused.
At Wyatt Injury Law, you can count on your motorcycle accident lawyer to be prepared for the event of a trial right from the start. We will not settle when your medical bills are not properly covered or your lost wages are not included in the injury award. If you are an injured motorcyclist, contact our legal team today for a free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case
After a crash, those who are injured while riding motorcycles can seek compensation from the negligent party. You can receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages for this event, allowing you to make your life whole again. Here are some of the more common damages in these cases:
Medical Bills
If you are injured, your medical bills are bound to be expensive. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can help you calculate all of your expenses, including your hospital stay, surgeries, ambulance ride, transportation costs to your doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, medical devices, physical therapy, and more.
Property Damage
Your motorcycle may be badly damaged after the crash. We will seek compensation to get your motorcycle repaired or replaced.
Lost Income
Since it’s highly likely that your injury will be serious, you could miss work and lose income. This puts you in a predicament because you have all these added bills and no money coming in to pay them. We will seek compensation for your lost income plus the loss of your job benefits. If applicable, we will also fight for your loss of earning potential.
Pain and Suffering
When a motorcyclist gets into a collision with another vehicle, high speeds do not need to be involved for an injury to occur. The pain you feel and the suffering you experience can impact every aspect of your life, and you deserve to be compensated for the damage this has caused.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Scottsdale Motorcycle Accident
You may follow every bit of motorcycle safety as required by the law, but when a negligent driver crashes into you, it can leave you permanently injured. Remember, it is often the motorcyclist who is blamed rather than the driver of the vehicle. Knowing what to do when you’re in a motorcycle accident can help you protect your legal rights.
First, call the police to have them create an accident report. They will investigate what happened and perhaps issue a citation to the driver of the car. The police report is a great piece of evidence and calling 911 also alerts emergency medical services to show up at the scene.
Do not refuse this medical treatment, even if you think you’re not hurt. Many times, damage to vital organs does not have any outward symptoms or signs. Getting medical treatment also gives you medical records of your injury on the date of the accident, making it hard for the insurer to argue that you got hurt in another way after the accident.
Many motorcyclists are too hurt to get evidence from the accident scene but if you are capable, take photos and videos of the scene with your phone. If you can’t do it, make sure you call a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible so they can start this process before the evidence fades.
The best time to hire motorcycle accident lawyers is at the start of your motorcycle accident claim. Insurers will waste time offering low settlements or denying claims, giving you less time to take action through a lawsuit.
When you have representation ready, you will not be pressed for time. Your attorney will be able to file your case before the statute of limitations runs out. In Arizona, you have two years from the date of your motorcycle crash. If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact Wyatt Injury Law for a free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation.