When you’re riding a motorcycle, intersections are often where the biggest risks lie. Unlike long straightaways or open stretches of road, intersections require every road user to pay close attention, yield when necessary, and anticipate the actions of others. But when drivers fail to do their part, it’s motorcyclists who often suffer the worst outcomes. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle crash at an intersection in Arizona, knowing your legal options can be the first step toward healing, accountability, and justice.
Arizona’s road laws are designed to keep everyone safe—but they don’t always prevent negligent drivers from making deadly mistakes. And when those mistakes happen, our lawyers at Torgenson Law are here to stand up for your rights, help you understand the process ahead, and make sure you’re not left facing the consequences alone.
Intersections are dynamic, complex, and often unpredictable. With multiple directions of travel, signals, and potential turning points, they require all drivers to slow down, observe carefully, and yield appropriately. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to extend that level of caution to motorcyclists.
Motorcyclists are often hit when drivers misjudge speed or overlook them entirely. Left-turn collisions are among the most common and dangerous types of intersection crashes involving motorcycles. Drivers often claim they “didn’t see” the motorcycle or miscalculated the distance, turning directly into the rider’s path.
Other hazards include:
Even at low speeds, a collision in an intersection can lead to catastrophic injuries for motorcyclists. Without the protection of a car’s frame, seatbelt, or airbag, you’re fully exposed to the force of impact.
You can wear bright gear, keep your headlights on, and position yourself for visibility, but that doesn’t stop negligent drivers from making bad decisions. Inattentional blindness—a psychological phenomenon where drivers simply don’t register motorcycles even when they’re visible—is a major factor in many of these crashes.
At intersections, all it takes is one driver who’s distracted, impatient, or reckless to change your life in an instant.
Motorcycle crashes at intersections are rarely minor. With little more than a helmet and protective gear between the rider and the road, the force of impact often leads to catastrophic harm. These injuries go far beyond scrapes and bruises—they can reshape a person’s life in an instant.
Motorcyclists hit in intersections typically suffer from a range of traumatic physical injuries, many of which require emergency care and extended recovery:
These aren’t the kind of injuries that heal with a cast or a few weeks of rest. They demand serious intervention—often for months or years.
The psychological effects of a motorcycle collision are deeply personal and frequently misunderstood. Riders may relive the crash through flashbacks, struggle with anxiety behind the handlebars, or suffer from depression as they face altered life plans.
Post-traumatic stress is common. Some survivors lose confidence in their ability to ride, work, or even interact socially. This emotional fallout is compounded by the grief of losing a sense of freedom and identity that riding once provided.
Medical costs add up fast—starting with ambulance rides and ER care, then continuing through surgeries, follow-ups, rehab, and prescription medications. Many riders are forced to miss weeks or months of work, or they may lose the ability to return to their job altogether.
And it doesn’t stop there. Damaged bikes, modified homes for accessibility, and long-term therapies can drain savings and plunge families into financial uncertainty.
At Torgenson Law, our lawyers have seen the ripple effects of these crashes again and again. We know this isn’t just about a settlement—it’s about reclaiming your stability, dignity, and peace of mind. When your life has been turned upside down by a driver’s carelessness, we’re here to stand with you, fight back, and help you build a path forward.
In the aftermath of a crash, the question of who was at fault becomes central to any legal case. Arizona operates under a comparative negligence system, which means fault can be shared among the parties—but that doesn’t mean you lose your right to compensation.
If a court finds that you were partially responsible for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover $80,000.
Insurance companies know this and often try to assign as much blame to motorcyclists as possible. They’ll point to your speed, your gear, or your lane position—even if none of those caused the crash. That’s why having strong legal representation matters.
To prove fault, evidence matters. This includes:
Our team at Torgenson Law knows how to collect, preserve, and present this evidence in a way that strengthens your case and tells your side of the story.
In the confusion after a crash, it can be difficult to know what to do first. But taking the right steps early can make a big difference—both in terms of your health and your legal options.
Always seek immediate medical care, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours or days to fully reveal themselves. Getting a professional evaluation creates an official medical record that links your injuries to the crash.
An official accident report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any personal injury claim. The report can help establish fault and may include valuable witness statements or scene assessments.
If you’re able, take photos or videos of:
Also collect the contact information of witnesses. Their perspectives can help clarify how the crash occurred.
Insurance companies may contact you quickly after the crash, hoping you’ll say something they can use to reduce or deny your claim. Politely decline to give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
Our team at Torgenson Law can handle those conversations for you, protecting your interests from the start.
When a motorcycle crash turns your life upside down, you deserve a path forward. Arizona law gives you the right to pursue compensation when another driver’s negligence leads to injury or loss. Understanding what you can recover—and how to go after it—can make all the difference in your recovery.
A personal injury claim allows you to seek damages that reflect the true impact of the crash. These aren’t just numbers—they represent the pain you’ve endured, the wages you’ve lost, and the future you’re now fighting to reclaim.
Recoverable damages may include:
In the tragic event of a fatal crash, surviving family members may also seek compensation for funeral costs, emotional loss, and the financial support their loved one would have provided.
Insurance adjusters are not on your side. Their job is to minimize payouts, even when it means downplaying your injuries or twisting the facts. That’s where our lawyers at Torgenson Law come in. We manage all communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to. From day one, we build a case that accurately reflects your injuries, losses, and long-term needs.
We don’t settle for less than what you’re owed—and we never let insurers pressure you into signing away your rights.
Not every case goes to trial, but we treat every claim like it might. That level of preparation gives us an edge in negotiations and ensures we’re always ready to advocate for you in court if needed. By gathering medical records, expert testimony, witness accounts, and crash scene evidence, we create a full picture of what happened and why the other party is at fault.
At Torgenson Law, we understand that motorcycle crashes—especially those at intersections—aren’t just legal matters. They’re personal. We’ve stood with riders who’ve lost their independence, their livelihood, or a loved one, all because another driver failed to pay attention. For us, every case is an opportunity to fight back against careless drivers and insurance companies that minimize your injuries and deny your rights.
From the first call, you’ll notice something different about the way we work. We treat our clients like people, not paperwork. Our lawyers take time to listen, to understand what happened, and to learn how the crash has affected your life. We’re not just here to file a claim—we’re here to help you rebuild.
Whether you need help understanding medical bills, navigating a tricky insurance process, or just someone to talk to about what comes next, we’re on your side. You’ll have direct access to your legal team—not an answering machine—and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Intersection crashes often involve complex questions about right-of-way, driver negligence, and visibility. We approach every case with a full investigation—collecting crash reports, medical records, and expert opinions to build the strongest possible claim. If there’s traffic camera footage, black box data, or eyewitness statements, we’ll find it.
We also partner with accident reconstructionists who understand how motorcycles behave on the road. They help us prove exactly how the crash happened and who was at fault. This level of preparation gives us the leverage to negotiate aggressively—and the confidence to go to trial if needed.
Our goal isn’t just a quick payout. It’s fair compensation for everything you’ve lost, from hospital bills and lost wages to the long-term impact on your mobility, mental health, and quality of life.
We work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we recover money for you. There are no upfront costs, retainers, or surprise fees. This allows you to focus on healing—not on how to afford legal help.
We also handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the insurance company games so you can put your energy where it matters most: recovery. We’ll shield you from lowball offers, pressure tactics, and blame-shifting—because you shouldn’t have to deal with that while you’re trying to heal.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident at an intersection, don’t wait. These cases can be time-sensitive, and evidence fades quickly. Reach out to us today, and let’s talk about what happened. No pressure. No obligation. Just clear, honest guidance from a team that knows what you’re going through—and knows how to help.
At Torgenson Law, we take every case personally because we know what’s at stake. You don’t have to face this alone. We’re ready when you are.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
