Gilbert Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Factors that Contribute to Mesa Motorcycle Accidents
Avoiding motorcycle accidents is important because of how often they result in serious injury or death. There are several factors that contribute to motorcycle accidents, and being aware of them can help you avoid traffic accidents in general. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in Mesa, our lawyers are available for free case evaluations by phone.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Gilbert, Arizona
- Failure by automobile drivers to see motorcycles on the road: This is the top cause of motorcycle accidents: This can be due to a driver’s distraction, or a simple failure to properly check before switching lanes. Glare from the sun and obstructions on the road could block other drivers from seeing a motorcycle. Unfortunately, while a motorcycle rider can always be a defensive driver, even the most experienced rider may not be able to avoid a collision with an automobile who hasn’t seen them. Stay off your cell phone while driving and always check carefully for motorcycles on the road.
- Head on collisions: This type of collision causes the majority of deaths from motorcycle accidents. The motorcyclist could be crushed by a vehicle, or thrown from their motorcycle. Clearly, this can result in serious injuries to the motorcycle rider. Either driver can be at fault for a head on collision.
- Lane splitting: Motorcycle drivers can ride in between lanes to pass other vehicles and move through traffic. Traveling through a narrow passageway at a high speed increases the likelihood of a collision. Your first instinct may be to assume that the motorcycle rider is automatically at fault in these types of accidents. However, the specific circumstances of the accident, as well as any applicable state laws, can make the driver of the vehicle liable instead.
- Corners and sharp turns: Motorcycles can be more difficult to maneuver through sharp turns than a normal automobile. Road hazards and speeding can also make this more difficult. These types of accidents don’t always involve another vehicle.
- Reckless driving: Speeding, drinking and driving, and other bad driving behaviors can all make motorcycle accidents more likely. They can also increase the severity of the injuries in an accident. If a driver is found to be intoxicated or have broken other state laws after an accident, there may be additional damages available for the accident victim. Some motorcycle riders also race or drive fast enough to lose control of their motorcycles.
- Helmet use: In accidents where the motorcycle rider doesn’t wear a helmet, the motorcycle rider is more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Wearing full pant legs and sleeves can also help protect the motorcycle rider from skin injuries in an accident.
- Poor road conditions: Inclement weather, loose rocks and gravel, potholes and debris in the road, and other road hazards can all cause motorcycle accidents. These factors can also increase the severity of the injuries, or prevent emergency responders from promptly reaching the accident victim.
Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself in a Gilbert Motorcycle Accident.
After a motorcycle accident, your personal injury claim is your opportunity to receive compensation for your injuries. You may be eligible to collect medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, lost earning potential, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and more. Calculating your damages, especially those from the future, can be complicated for someone without a personal injury background. You will need to send the insurance company a demand letter for your damages to initiate your claim, so you must have calculated your total damages by that point.
5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Represent Yourself in a Motorcycle Accident
- Your Gilbert personal injury attorney will be better equipped to review all the evidence in your case. Investigating your accident is difficult without the proper knowledge, and could be even harder to do if your injuries inhibit your mobility. Your attorney will review all relevant evidence to protect you from liability and increase your final award.
- The insurance company may not contact you directly one you retain an attorney for your claim. The other driver’s insurance company will be calling you soon after the accident to ask you questions. They will want to speak with you on a recorded line about your recollection of the incident, your injuries and medical treatment, etc.
- An experienced Gilbert Motorcycle Attorney will help you comply with the applicable statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for most car accidents in Mesa is 2 years. However, there are exceptions, like if the defendant is a government entity or the accident victim is a minor. An accident lawyer will make sure that your case is filed within the applicable statute of limitations, and comply with any other relevant deadlines in your case.
- You may not know how to accurately calculate your damages. This must be calculated for both your present and future damages, and sent to the insurance company along with full explanations of each in your demand letter.
- You probably don’t have as much insurance negotiation experience as your Arizona Accident Lawyer. Your Gilbert Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will look at factors like your probability to win at trial, policy limits, and history with clients in similar situations when negotiating with insurance adjusters. This knowledge will allow your attorney to achieve the highest possible settlement, or proceed to trial if necessary.
Representing Yourself in a Gilbert Motorcycle Accident Isn’t a Good Idea
Your personal injury claim is your one chance to financially recover after a motorcycle accident. The average person simply doesn’t have the knowledge and skill set about relevant laws and insurance negotiation that a personal injury attorney has. Insurance adjusters will use manipulative tactics to impel you to make statements that damage the value of your claim, and possibly even assign you fault in the accident. The value of your claim could be reduced by whatever percentage you are found to be at fault for the accident. Your Gilbert Motorcycle Accident Lawyers use state law and evidence from your case to keep your liability low and your award high.
Many Mesa Injury Lawyers
Collect More Than Their Clients.
We Never Take More, And often Reduce Fees To Help our Clients.
Help for your Gilbert Motorcycle Accident is only a call away.
After a motorcycle accident in Gilbert, it’s crucial that you find quality legal representation for your personal injury claim. This gives you the free time to focus on your medical treatments while your attorney negotiates a higher settlement than you could have on your own. You also don’t have to worry about paying for your accident attorney up front. Our Gilbert motorcycle accident lawyers charge a guaranteed contingency fee of 25 percent. This fee isn’t paid until we settle or win your case. And when compared to our competitors, who charge 33% or higher, this will save you thousands. Don’t wait after an accident- call to schedule your free case evaluation with our Gilbert accident lawyers today. Click to see more about our 25% Discount Fees ADVANTAGE.