Many motorcyclists travel the Arizona streets daily in a safe and efficient manner, moving from place to place or even running errands. But unfortunately some motorcyclists are involved in accidents while riding and when a biker gets hit, the chances that the biker will be injured or killed are high. Bikes provide little to no physical protection to a rider in the event of a crash and therefore a rider often ends up striking another vehicle or the pavement. Additionally, in Arizona it is an adult biker’s choice whether to wear a helmet and many riders choose to forego wearing head protection, increasing the odds of a face or head injury in the event of an accident.
Though motorcycle accidents can occur at any point along a road, a large number of these accidents occur at intersections and involve at least one other vehicle, whether it is a car, truck, van, or another motorcycle. Often, these collisions are caused by:
- A driver fails to slow or stop for a red light and rear ends a motorcycle in response;
- A driver failing to see a motorcycle and proceeding into the intersection when the motorcycle’s presence makes it unsafe to do so;
- A driver that is distracted by a cell phone or other device and fails to pay attention to traffic;
- A driver that fails to yield the right-of-way while turning left;
- A driver who attempts to speed up to “catch” a yellow light but instead enters an intersection while the light is red;
- A driver under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol;
- Inclement weather, including rain, snow, or ice; or
- Another driver changing lanes while in an intersection when it is unsafe to do so.
When a motorcycle accident does occur at an intersection, statistics show that it is usually the other driver’s fault. This means that often a biker is hit and injured through no fault of his or her own but rather through the negligence of another motorists who was not acting with due care while driving.
Regardless of who is at fault for an accident, anyone who sustains an injury will suffer the consequences of the result, often necessitating medical and nursing care, missing time from work, and managing pain and suffering that accompany the injury.
Arizona law requires all motorists to carry liability insurance to protect themselves and others in the event of an accident. The purpose of this type of automobile insurance is to provide payments for injuries incurred by those in an accident, including those who were in an at-fault driver’s vehicle and those in another vehicle, like a motorcycle. Even though Arizona requires drivers to carry insurance, the minimum amount required is very low, meaning that in the event a motorcyclists is seriously injured or killed in a crash, there may not be enough insurance to fully compensate the victim or the victim’s families.
Fortunately the at-fault driver’s insurance is not the only means of recovery available in most cases which is one way that a personal injury attorney may help you obtain the maximum recovery possible for your accident. The facts of each accident are unique and each injury is different so it is always a good idea to speak with a lawyer to understand your legal options before moving forward with a claim or settlement in your case.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 3,166 motorcycle accidents in 2012 alone. Of those crashes, 2,531 resulted in injuries and 134 accidents were fatal. That means that on average, nearly seven motorcycle crashes occur each day and that every three days, one of the motorcycle crashes turns fatal. This means that thousands of Arizona citizens have their lives affected each year by motorcycle crashes without even considering the impact an accident has on a victim’s family, friends, and coworkers.
This trend holds true nationally where thousands of bikers are killed in accidents every year. While the number of motor vehicle fatalities hit an all time low in 2008, the number of deaths caused in motorcycle collisions hit an all time high with motorcycle deaths more than doubling between 1999 and 2008. Simultaneously, the number of bikers who survived accidents but were injured likewise increased dramatically in the last two decades. It is not clear exactly why motorcycle deaths are becoming more common but a lack of safety devices, including the absence of seat belts and airbags common in passenger vehicles, are believed to contribute.
The attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. have successfully represented numerous motorcycle accident victims, many of whom were injured at intersections. We understand that a motorcycle accident can change all facets of your life and we believe that you deserve a representative on your side. To help you, we have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.
If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident at an intersection, call us now at (855) 749-5299 or contact us online for a free consultation.