Understanding Motorcycle Laws in Arizona
Injuries arising out of motorcycle accidents are basically covered by the same Arizona personal injury law that applies to other motor vehicle accidents, but there are some special considerations to take into account when analyzing a motorcycle accident case.
From Arizona's lack of helmet laws, to the impact of a driver's failure to see a motorcyclist, we understand all of the unique issues that arise in motorcycle accident injury cases. Contact us at Mueller Law Group, P.A., in Phoenix to get our attorneys' extensive legal knowledge and experience on your side.
The Role of Helmets and Other Precautions
Arizona does not have a motorcycle helmet law, and many motorcyclists choose to ride without helmets. It is important to understand for personal injury purposes that failing to wear a helmet does not necessarily mean you do not deserve compensation for your injuries.
Each case is unique, and cases in which the motorcyclist wasn't wearing a helmet may require different trial and negotiation strategies, but as a general rule, anything you did that was arguably unsafe — from not wearing a helmet to making a risky lane change — may reduce your recovery, but does not eliminate it if the other driver was at fault.
The bottom line is that Arizona law governing liability for motorcycle accidents is complex, and even if you fear you may not have a case, your best option is to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer and get a legal opinion.
When They Say, "I Didn't See You"
One issue that often arises in motorcycle accident cases is a claim on the part of the driver that he or she did not see the motorcyclist.
Under Arizona personal injury law, a driver on the road has a duty to see what there is to be seen and hear what there is to be heard, obviously including a person on a motorcycle. The fact that a car or truck driver did not actually see the motorcyclist does not reduce legal liability.
