If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, Chandler motorcycle accident attorney Jason Hutzler is here to help you. Call our team at (602) 730-4530 today for your free consultation.
At Hutzler Law, we have a unique advantage in motorcycle accident claims. Jason Hutzler, our founding attorney, previously worked as an insurance adjustor. As such, he has an in-depth understanding of the insurance industry and how they approach motorcycle accident claims.
We know the tactics and strategies insurance companies use to protect their interests and minimize payouts to accident victims.
Get the help you need and deserve after a motorcycle accident. Contact us now at (602) 730-4530 for a free consultation.
Do You Need Help Handling Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The decisions you make and the actions you take over the next few days and weeks are crucial if you want to get the compensation you deserve. Being proactive is crucial in this situation, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Our team of motorcycle accident attorneys in Phoenix has extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims. We believe in empowering our clients and guiding them through the legal process with compassion and care.
Call our team at (602) 730-4530 today for your free consultation and let us help you get back on your feet.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Chandler, Arizona
Most motorcycle accidents are brought about by left-hand turn accidents, unsafe lane changes, speeding, dooring, head-on collisions, impaired riding, lane splitting, etc. An unsafe lane change by a vehicle into the path of a motorcycle is a common cause of accidents if the driver does not properly look over their shoulder to check for motorcycles nearby.
A motorist who fails to confirm their blind spot is clear may unknowingly merge directly into a motorcycle and cut them off. Checking mirrors and blind spots is critical for drivers to share the road safely with motorcycles. Speeding reduces reaction times and the ability to maneuver or stop in time. It also makes the consequences of any collision far more dangerous for vulnerable motorcyclists unprotected by a metal cage.
Dooring accidents can happen when a vehicle passenger opens their door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle that is filtering between lanes of slow or stopped traffic. The opening door presents an unexpected hazard that leaves little time for the rider to react and avoid a collision. Drivers must check for motorcycles before opening their doors to prevent dangerous dooring accidents.
Inexperienced or novice motorcycle riders face greater risks due to a lack of proper skills and training to handle their bikes safely in traffic. New riders may have difficulty with tasks like braking, turning, or maintaining control of the road. Dangerous road conditions such as debris, potholes, or uneven pavement increase the risk of a motorcycle accident more than for vehicles due to the smaller contact patch of motorcycle tires.
Road hazards can cause a loss of control or throw a bike off balance more easily than a car. Defects in motorcycles themselves can, on rare occasions, also lead to accidents if components like brakes, tires, or suspension fail.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Road rash, fractures, and burns are the most common injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer following a collision. Even in relatively low-speed impacts, spinal cord injuries can occur as the spine is vulnerable without a protective vehicle structure to prevent or cushion against whiplash. Motorcycle crashes can culminate in life-changing injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs).
When unhelmeted heads violently impact pavement or other surfaces, it can lead to brain damage, long-term cognitive impairments, and paralysis, among others. Disfigurement is also common through the loss of limbs, amputations, or severe scarring over large areas of the body. Death is tragically possible, as vital organs can be fatally damaged from blunt force trauma from exposure without crash protection.
Motorcycle accident victims should seek prompt medical attention to receive the best possible care and provide an accurate account of the extent of injuries. Documenting all treatment received after a crash is also useful when pursuing compensation. It helps establish liability for damages from the at-fault party, which your lawyer can present to insurance companies or in a personal injury lawsuit. Further, hospital bills resulting from treatment and recovery can then be recouped through a personal injury claim.
Establishing Fault in a Motorcycle Accident – Understanding How is “Responsible”
To prove liability, a Chandler motorcycle accident lawyer will consider several factors/parties. Motorists can be found culpable if they fail to notice a bike rider sharing the road with them, such as changing lanes without properly checking blind spots or turning in front of an oncoming bike.
Road conditions like debris, potholes, or poor signage and lighting could also lead to local or state government entities being held partially liable if their negligence contributed to an accident. Manufacturers may bear responsibility when mechanical defects in equipment like brakes or tires are shown to have malfunctioned and caused a crash.
How Much is My Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Motorcycle accident victims and survivors should not be forced to shoulder the financial and personal burdens imposed through no fault of their own. As such, they may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and wrongful death cases.
The best way to understand the value of your motorcycle accident claim is to speak with a personal injury attorney who understands how claims work in Arizona.
Medical costs aim to restore health following an accident, while lost income compensation remedies current and future financial burdens brought on by injuries.
Property damage awards help victims cover repairs or replacement costs for damaged possessions. However, none of these can undo the loss of life. In such cases, families can seek justice and accountability from those responsible for a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Arizona law, if a loved one passes away due to another’s negligence, wrongdoing, or irresponsibility, the deceased’s family has legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim.
If successful, the court may award various forms of compensation to aid in dealing with related expenses and grief. Note that insurance companies do not always offer fair settlements without a fight because they have a financial incentive to pay out as little as possible on claims. They may lowball initial settlement offers and try to pressure injured parties to accept inadequate compensation.
Claimants then need an advocate like a personal injury lawyer who understands insurance tactics and can negotiate from an informed position. A seasoned Chandler motorcycle accident attorney can identify weaknesses in an insurer’s evaluation to obtain a fuller and fairer resolution for the harm actually suffered by their client. With their experience negotiating settlements and willingness to pursue litigation if needed, lawyers can help maximize recovery and hold fully responsible parties accountable.
When Should You Hire a Chandler Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
It’s best not to delay hiring an attorney. Waiting may lead to important evidence potentially being lost, such as security camera footage, statements from witnesses whose memories may fade, or vehicle data recorders whose information could be overwritten. The passage of time may also mean that critical physical evidence from the crash scene disappears or is altered. An attorney can promptly investigate while the incident is still fresh, strengthening the civil case.
Acting quickly shows the injured party is acting in good faith. It enables the lawyer to negotiate with insurance providers by utilizing all available facts, rather than relying solely on incomplete police reports. The sooner legal representation is retained, the more thorough the assessment of liability and damages can be.
In addition, a victim’s valuable legal rights may expire. Arizona’s two-year statute of limitations requires filing a lawsuit within two years of the accident date. If a victim of a motorcycle accident fails to file a personal injury lawsuit against at-fault parties within the stipulated timeline, they risk their claim being barred by the statute of limitations.
Any legal action after that point could be dismissed as untimely by the courts, since the deadline has passed. Missing this two-year window means injured individuals lose their right to pursue financial compensation through the legal system for injuries and other damages caused by the negligence of others. Luckily, a Chandler motorcycle accident lawyer can also help navigate insurance claims and guide the next steps immediately following an accident.
How Much Does a Chandler Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
When it comes to litigation expenses, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if a successful settlement or verdict is achieved. The fees allow injured victims to pursue legal action without large upfront costs. Motorcycle accident attorneys typically take a percentage (usually 33-40%) of the final settlement or award as their fee. This translates to clients paying nothing unless the case ends favorably.
The lawyer then covers all out-of-pocket expenses for litigation in the meantime. Such an arrangement incentivizes hard work from the attorney to maximize the recovery. It also gives injured parties access to legal expertise they might not otherwise be able to afford during expensive medical treatment and recovery. While not a small portion, contingency fees are often reasonable compared to the sizable damages achieved through an attorney’s effective representation.
Consult a Chandler Motorcycle Accident Lawyer from Hutzler Law Today
Hutzler Law firm specializes in providing legal assistance to individuals involved in motorcycle accidents.
Our team can help with various aspects of a claim, such as proving liability, seeking compensation for medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and even wrongful death lawsuits, where applicable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, call attorney Jason Hutzler at (602) 730-4530 for a comprehensive consultation. You can also fill out our online contact form to schedule a free initial case evaluation.