A serious collision changes everything in a moment. You need a powerful advocate to help you move forward. If you were hurt in a crash, a skilled Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights.
If you have questions about medical bills, lost pay, and the value of your claim, finding the right legal representation is the first step toward getting answers. Law Bear will connect you with a local attorney who will fight for you. Call us 24/7 at (309) 365-6510 to find qualified legal representation.
Protecting Your Claim After a Glendale Motorcycle Wreck
If you've already sought medical attention, take action now to protect your right to seek compensation. Preserve your records and track the full impact of the accident. A Glendale motorcycle crash attorney uses this information to build your case.
Organize Your Accident Records
Start a file and gather every piece of paper related to the crash. If you have photos or videos from the scene on your phone, save them in a secure folder. Your goal is to create a complete record of what happened. Write down everything you remember about the collision while the details are still fresh in your mind.
Collect the following information:
- Driver Information: Compile the name, address, license number, and insurance details for the other driver.
- Witness Contacts: List the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident happen.
- Police Report Number: Keep the report number and the responding officer's name and badge number in your file.
- Photos and Videos: Back up any pictures you took of the scene, the vehicles, your injuries, and road conditions on the cloud.
Track Your Recovery and Expenses
Keep a detailed record of all medical treatments and costs. Maintain a file for every bill from hospitals, doctors, physical therapists, and pharmacies. Start a daily journal to document your pain levels and limitations. Note how your injuries affect your daily activities, sleep, and emotions.
Track the hours you miss from work and any lost income. These records help prove the financial toll the accident has taken on you.
Notify Your Insurance Company
You do need to report the accident to your insurance provider. When you call, stick to the basic facts of the crash. Give them the date, time, location, and the names of the parties involved. Don't give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster (including your own) before you speak to an attorney.
Adjusters often ask questions that may lead you to say something that hurts your claim. Let a skilled Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer handle communications with all insurers to protect your interests.
Why Insurance Companies Deny or Devalue Claims
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. Their goal is to protect the company's financial interests by minimizing claim payouts. An adjuster may offer a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. Never accept an offer or sign anything without legal advice.
The Bias Against Motorcyclists
A common tactic is to play on unfair stereotypes against motorcycle riders. The insurance company might suggest you were speeding, weaving through traffic, or otherwise riding recklessly. They may try this one even if their own client was clearly at fault.
Insurers sometimes argue that riding is inherently dangerous. This argument attempts to place some responsibility on you just for choosing to ride. A skilled Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer knows how to counter these unfair tactics.
Disputing the Severity of Injuries
Insurers often question the extent and cost of your medical treatment. An adjuster may argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim. They might also suggest that your injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the accident.
They scrutinize your medical records to check for any inconsistencies. The insurer may even hire their own medical professional to review your file and challenge your doctor's diagnosis. This is a strategy to reduce the amount they have to pay for your medical care.
Protect yourself by following your doctor's treatment plan precisely. Attend all appointments and follow medical advice. Your insurer can use any deviation against you.
Proving Liability in a Glendale Motorcycle Crash
To secure compensation, your lawyer must prove that another party's negligence caused the accident. Negligence means that a person or entity failed to act with reasonable care. This failure resulted in your injuries and damages.
A successful claim requires presenting clear evidence of this fault. This evidence can come from many sources. A qualified lawyer helps gather and present everything needed to build a strong case.
Common Forms of Driver Negligence
Many motorcycle accidents happen because other drivers fail to see motorcycles. They may not check their blind spots or misjudge a rider's speed and distance. Careless actions behind the wheel put riders at serious risk.
Examples of driver negligence include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting, talking on the phone, or using a GPS diverts a driver's attention from the road.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: A driver who changes lanes without signaling or checking their blind spot can cut off a motorcyclist.
- Failure To Yield: Many crashes happen at intersections when drivers turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of an impact.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drugs impair a driver's judgment, coordination, and ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Other Liable Parties
Sometimes, parties other than the driver share responsibility. For instance, if a mechanical failure caused the crash, the manufacturer of the vehicle or a faulty part may be liable. A mechanic who performed improper repairs might also be held accountable.
In some cases, a government entity may be at fault. This could be due to poorly maintained roads around popular areas like the Westgate Entertainment District or the aging streets near Murphy Park and Downtown Glendale.
Poorly designed intersections or malfunctioning traffic signals can also contribute to accidents. A Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer can help identify all potential at-fault parties.
Recovering Damages After a Glendale Motorcycle Wreck
Every motorcycle accident case is unique, and your claim's value depends on your situation's specific details. Calculating the full value requires a thorough analysis of all your losses.
These losses fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. An experienced attorney helps calculate these damages accurately.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the direct financial losses you suffer because of the accident. You can calculate these tangible costs by adding up bills and receipts. They represent out-of-pocket expenses and lost income.
This category of damages includes:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all costs for your treatment, both past and future, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy.
- Lost Wages: You can recover the income you lost while unable to work, as well as any future loss of earning capacity if your injuries are permanent.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle, helmet, and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-financial impact of the accident. These losses are subjective and don't come with a specific bill. They relate to how the injuries have affected your quality of life.
Examples include:
- Pain and Suffering: You may pursue compensation for the physical pain and discomfort your injuries have caused.
- Emotional Distress: This covers the psychological impact of the accident, such as fear, anxiety, and sleep loss.
- Loss of Enjoyment: Your compensation may account for the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you enjoyed before the crash, including riding.
- Permanent Disfigurement: You may seek payment for permanent scarring or other lasting physical changes from your injuries.
Laws That Affect Your Glendale Motorcycle Accident Claim
Specific Arizona laws directly influence your ability to file a claim and the amount of compensation you recover. These rules create the legal framework for every personal injury claim.
Lawyers know how to work within these laws to protect your rights. Their guidance helps you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.
The Statute of Limitations
Arizona law generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you generally lose your right to pursue compensation in court forever.
This time limit, known as the statute of limitations, has important exceptions. For instance, if your claim is against a government employee or agency, you have only 180 days to file a formal Notice of Claim.
Pure Comparative Negligence
The law addresses situations where the insurance company argues you share some blame for the accident. Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence system. This rule means you can still recover damages even if you're found partially at fault for the collision.
Under this system, a judge or jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party involved. Your total compensation award is then reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found to be 20% at fault for the crash, your final award would be reduced by that same 20%.
FAQ for Glendale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
What Is the First Thing I Should Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Glendale?
The first thing you must do is seek medical attention for your injuries, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries may not show symptoms immediately. Once you've received medical attention, speak with a Glendale motorcycle accident lawyer to learn about your rights and next steps.
Why Do I Need a Glendale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
A Glendale motorcycle crash lawyer handles all communications with the insurance companies. They investigate your crash, gather evidence to prove fault, and calculate the full value of your damages.
Their experience allows them to counter unfair insurance company tactics and fight for a fair outcome on your behalf. If the insurance company won't offer a fair settlement, they can take your fight to court.
The Other Driver's Insurance Blamed Me for the Crash. What Can I Do?
Don't be discouraged if the insurance company tries to blame you. This is a common strategy to avoid paying a claim. If you're communicating with an adjuster, stop immediately. Then, contact an attorney who can protect you from these allegations and work to prove the other driver's fault.
What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Uninsured?
Your own motorcycle insurance policy may include Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your losses.
An attorney can review your policy to confirm your available coverage and handle the complex process of filing a claim with your own insurer.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet?
Arizona law only requires that motorcycle riders and passengers under the age of 18 wear a helmet. If you are 18 or older, the choice is yours, and not wearing a helmet doesn't prevent you from filing a claim.
However, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are worse because you didn't wear one. Your attorney will work to show that the other driver's negligence caused the crash itself.
Get the Legal Help You Need Today
An accident may feel like your world has been shattered, and the path forward uncertain. You don't have to walk it alone. Let us help you reshape your future. We connect people like you with the strength and precision needed to take on insurance companies.
It's time to get the powerful legal representation you need. Contact Law Bear now for your free case evaluation at (309) 365-6510.