Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Peoria, AZ

Unsafe Lane Changes: Because motorcycles are smaller, they’re often overlooked in mirrors or blind spots. Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-729) makes it clear: drivers must ensure a lane is safe before merging.

Left-Turn Crashes: One of the most common and dangerous types of accidents involves a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle. Despite A.R.S. § 28-772 requiring turning vehicles to yield, drivers often fail to see or properly gauge motorcycles, leading to devastating impacts.

Head-On Collisions: A head-on collision from a driver drifting across the center line—whether distracted, tired, or impaired—can have fatal consequences. A.R.S. § 28-751 makes clear the obligation to stay on the right side of the road.

Rear-End Accidents: Rear-end collisions on Peoria’s congested stretches like Olive Avenue or near shopping centers can throw a rider from their bike. Arizona’s basic speed law (A.R.S. § 28-701) requires drivers to keep a safe following distance—but not all do.

Dooring Accidents: When someone opens a car door without looking and a motorcycle is approaching, the results can be devastating. This is a direct violation of A.R.S. § 28-905.

Single-Bike Crashes: When a motorcycle goes down without another vehicle involved, the blame may still lie elsewhere: debris on Deer Valley Road, potholes near Happy Valley Road, or a manufacturing defect.

Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accidents: When a motorist flees the scene, it becomes both a criminal act (A.R.S. § 28-661) and a civil liability issue. In Peoria, hit-and-run crashes are often solved through camera footage, license plate readers, or witness accounts. Your uninsured motorist policy may also cover you.

Road Rash — Caused by sliding across pavement after impact, this injury can range from surface scrapes to deep skin loss that requires surgical grafts and long-term wound care.

Fractures (Broken Bones) — Riders commonly suffer broken arms, legs, ribs, or wrists, particularly when thrown from the bike or pinned beneath it.

Head Trauma — Helmets help reduce the risk, but concussions and traumatic brain injuries are still common in high-speed or hard-impact collisions.

Soft Tissue Damage — Sprains, torn ligaments, and muscle tears often affect the shoulders, knees, or ankles during sudden stops or awkward landings.

Spinal Cord Injuries — These serious injuries can result in nerve damage, chronic pain, or even paralysis, particularly in rear-end or high-speed crashes.

Internal Injuries — Damage to organs like the liver, lungs, or spleen may not be obvious at first but can quickly become life-threatening.

Facial Injuries — Riders who impact the ground face fractures to the jaw, cheekbones, or nose, especially without full-face helmets.

Pelvic Injuries — High-force impacts can fracture the pelvis, often leading to surgery and long recovery times.

Amputations — Crush injuries to limbs, particularly the legs or feet, may require surgical amputation in severe cases.

Psychological Trauma — The emotional aftermath of a violent crash can lead to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even years after recovery.

Negligent Drivers — Most motorcycle crashes involve a driver who violated traffic law—by turning illegally, speeding, or not yielding. Arizona statutes like § 28-701 and § 28-754 form the basis for proving negligence.

Commercial Drivers & Employers — If a delivery truck, company vehicle, or rideshare driver causes a crash while on the job, their employer may be liable under Arizona’s respondeat superior doctrine.

Government Entities — If poor road design or maintenance led to your crash, you may have a claim against a city or county agency. A.R.S. § 12-821.01 requires you to file a Notice of Claim within 180 days.

Vehicle or Gear Manufacturers — Faulty tires, defective brakes, or malfunctioning helmets can all lead to single-bike crashes. Under A.R.S. § 12-681, manufacturers can be held accountable.

If you’re injured in a motorcycle crash, A.R.S. § 12-542 gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases.

Motorcyclists in Peoria are protected by a range of Arizona laws that define their rights on the road, regulate safety practices, and ensure fair treatment by other drivers.

• Motorcyclists Have the Same Rights as Other Vehicles — A.R.S. § 28-812 guarantees that motorcycles are entitled to equal use of all roads, just like cars and trucks.
• You’re Entitled to a Full Lane of Travel — According to A.R.S. § 28-903, motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of a single traffic lane, and no other vehicle may drive in that space without consent.
• Lane Splitting in Arizona — While some states permit lane splitting, Arizona does not allow riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic.