There are certain times of the year when Arizona is the perfect place to be for people who love riding motorcycles. With the exception of summer, Arizona’s weather offers peak riding opportunities. However, the state also ranks as one of the top five most dangerous states for motorcyclists, according to data released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Safety on the road is a real concern, especially as motorcycle accidents and fatalities have increased in recent years nationwide.
Besides following traffic laws and remaining vigilant while on the road, there are few additional things motorcyclists can do to protect themselves from accidents. The one exception is the choice to wear a helmet, even though Arizona only requires riders to wear one if they are under the age of 18.
Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to injury in accidents than people riding in passenger vehicles, purely because of the lack of protection that a full vehicle provides. That exposure makes serious injury a greater possibility. And when injuries happen, the topic of compensation becomes relevant.
Following a motorcycle accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed with questions, process and recovery. It’s a lot for one person to handle, which is why many people choose to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer like Torgenson Law. There are so many variables that go into determining a motorcycle accident settlement and many of those variables are foreign to the average person.
For the experienced attorneys at Torgenson Law, motorcycle injury compensation is part of our everyday vocabulary.
For example, we understand that insurance companies often like to shift blame for an accident to avoid having to make a hefty payout. A natural social bias against motorcyclists, seen traditionally as “reckless” or “thrill seekers” or “risk takers,” can be leveraged against individuals as part of an effort to deflect blame.
But a motorcyclist with an experienced legal team on their side would have support in determining and proving liability for the accident, as well as compiling all relevant damages that would need to be covered. The team at Torgenson Law makes sure that every motorcycle accident claim includes witness statements, police reports, dashcam or helmet footage, medical records and any other tangible factors that help illustrate the true dynamics and ensuing fallout of an accident.
In addition, the Torgenson Law team analyzes how compensation may be affected by Arizona’s comparative negligence rule, which allows parties to receive compensation even if they are partly at fault.
With comparative negligence, a motorcyclist who is partly at fault could receive compensation that is reduced by the percentage of fault they’ve been assigned. Maximizing a motorcycle accident claim involves a willingness to negotiate, and even potentially litigate, a case. It requires strong evidence and it involves determining liability even when, and maybe especially when, it is being disputed.
Motorcycle crash damages are unique to each individual who files a claim. That variability makes it tough to pin down an average motorcycle accident settlement. Damages are based on the severity of the crash, the significance of the injuries the rider endured, the cost of treatment after the accident, and lost income because of the accident. In extreme cases, it also looks at the cost of long-term care if the accident caused a permanent disability, and it factors in the emotional toll of pain and suffering.
A motorcycle accident claim is often treated differently by insurers than a car accident claim, and experienced attorneys aim to balance the scales to make sure their clients receive a fair shake.
No one should navigate a motorcycle accident settlement alone. The team at Torgenson Law is here to support you through this process, ensuring your best interests are represented so you can focus on recovery. If you or a loved one have been in a motorcycle accident, reach out to our team today.
No pressure, no upfront costs, just answers from a legal team that takes your recovery personally.
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.
