Scottsdale Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Hitting the open road on a motorcycle can be thrilling and exciting. However, under certain conditions, it can also lead to devastating injuries and even death. When other drivers operate their vehicles negligently or recklessly, it increases the risk of accidents, which can be fatal for many motorcyclists. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, a Scottsdale motorcycle accident lawyer can help.

Scottsdale, with its close proximity to Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, is a popular area for motorcyclists. Busy roadways such as State Route 101 and US-60 are hotspots for accidents, and when a motorcyclist is struck, they lack some of the most basic protections afforded to drivers of larger vehicles. These accidents will often result in horrible injuries, if not death, and you need a lawyer from Bleaman Law Firm, PC, who can hold the liable party accountable.

Turn to Bleaman Law Firm, PC, Following a Motorcycle Accident

Since 2003, Bleaman Law Firm, PC has been fighting for clients’ rights to compensation and justice in a wide range of personal injury claims. We know how difficult this time is for you and your loved ones, and we want to do everything in our power to help you financially recover from injuries and other forms of damage. Our lead attorney, Marc Bleaman, has dedicated his professional career to helping folks just like yourself hold at-fault parties accountable.

Our team is well-versed in handling cases at the Maricopa County Superior Court and is not afraid to litigate on your behalf. However, many personal injury cases can be handled through careful, passionate negotiations, and we will do everything in our power to pursue this quicker, more cost-effective approach before taking your case to court. We pride ourselves on excellent legal service and are here to help you and your loved ones however you might need us.

What to Do Following a Motorcycle Accident in Scottsdale

In a single year, the United States has over 82,000 motorcycle injuries. Following a motorcycle crash, there are certain steps a victim can take that can help protect their rights to compensation and support the validity of their claim. What you do in the days and weeks after your motorcycle accident will directly impact the outcome of your future claim. Following a motorcycle accident in Scottsdale, once you have consulted an attorney, take the following steps:

• Stick to your treatment plan. It is crucial that you follow any treatment plan your doctor has provided. This can include attending all scheduled appointments and taking all of your prescribed medications. If you do not follow the plan of your doctor or there are gaps present in your treatment, the insurance companies may use this to argue their way out of providing compensation.
• Keep hold of all bills and receipts. It is important that you save documentation for any expenses that came out of your pocket as they relate to your accident, injuries, and property damage. This can include all transportation costs, medical bills, home modification, mobility aids, and bike replacement or repair.
• Keep a recovery record. It can prove helpful to keep a written record of your pain levels, the amounts of emotional distress you are dealing with, the daily challenges you are encountering, and the physical limitations the accident has caused you to suffer. This can prove helpful when calculating non-economic damages.
• Keep a copy of the police report. Keeping a copy of the official police report will help support your claim. This document typically includes information about the crash, such as the responding officer’s observations, whether any citations were issued, and any witness accounts. Ensure that you also maintain a copy for your attorney.
• Preserve any evidence. Finally, it is crucial that you hold onto certain forms of evidence that could prove helpful in your claim. This can include your damaged helmet, clothing, or any motorcycle parts that were involved in the accident. You should also try to take photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries, if possible.

By taking these actions, you are providing your lawyer with all of the necessary tools to help them recover the full amount of compensation and justice that you deserve.

Common Injuries in an Arizona Motorcycle Accident

Unlike those inside enclosed vehicles, motorcycle riders do not have the same level of protection and are exposed to direct contact with the road, surrounding structures, or other vehicles. This can increase the severity and likelihood of devastating injuries and even death. In fact, nearly 15% of all traffic fatalities are reported to be motorcyclists. The most common injuries in motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Spinal cord damage. These injuries will typically cause mobility issues and can also affect bladder, bowel, and respiratory function. Damage to your spinal cord can also result in partial or complete paralysis.
• Traumatic brain injuries. One of the most common injuries in a motorcycle accident is those that affect the head or the brain. This is especially true when the motorcycle rider is not wearing a helmet. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can lead to concussions, or even more serious injuries such as brain trauma, which can affect an individual’s memory, motor function, or cognitive skills.
• Internal organ damage. Severe motorcycle collisions can also cause damage to internal organs. These injuries may cause internal bleeding or bruising of the organs, such as the liver, kidney, or spleen, and can go undetected for some time. For this reason, even if you do not feel injured, it is crucial that you seek medical attention following any kind of motor vehicle accident.
• Soft tissue injuries. When a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, they can slide across pavement and receive severe forms of road rash. They can strip away layers of skin or muscle and typically will need to receive skin grafts or be left with permanent scars or disfigurement.
• Injuries to lower extremities. These injuries can include shattered knees, crushed ankles, broken legs, and other similar injuries due to the position a rider is often in on their bike when an accident takes place. These injuries typically require surgery and rehabilitation or physical therapy.

In your personal injury claim, it is crucial to understand the full scope of your injuries. In doing so, the team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC, can calculate the extent of damages you’ve suffered and come up with the maximum amount of compensation deserved.

Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover

A motorcycle accident can result in more than just injury or death. Your bike may need repair, or it may become so damaged that it is beyond repair. If you have lost a loved one, you may need help in paying for their funeral expenses. The value of your claim will typically depend on the crash, the severity and extent of your injuries, and any evidence that is available to support your claim. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we are here to help recover the following damages:

• Economic damages. These damages include all those that are easily assigned a dollar value. Economic damages typically include hospital bills, costs of surgeries and physical therapy related to your injuries, medications, medical devices, as well as any future necessary treatment. It can also include any lost wages, lost earning capacity, and lost employment benefits.
• Non-economic damages. These damages are typically more difficult to assign a dollar amount, but they can add significant value to your claim. These damages include any kind of pain and suffering you’ve felt, emotional distress, or mental anguish, along with any permanent scarring or disfigurement you have suffered, and the loss of the enjoyment of life or the loss of consortium.
• Punitive damages. Though these damages are rarely awarded, when they are involved, they can add a significant amount of value to your claim. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the behavior of the at-fault party is considered to be extremely negligent or egregious, and the court will award these damages to punish the liable party and hopefully deter them from taking similar actions in the future.

At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we make it our mission to calculate the full amount of damages you’ve suffered so that you can recover the maximum compensation available to you.

Proving Negligence in Your Motorcycle Accident

Proving negligence in your motorcycle accident is the ultimate step toward compensation recovery. At Bleaman Law Firm, PC, we take this part of our job very seriously and will do everything in our power to get you the compensation you deserve. To prove negligence, four key elements and their presence in your claim must first be proven. These elements include:

• Duty of care. First, it must be proven that the liable party owed you a specific duty of care. In the example of a motorcycle accident, the driver of a car has the duty of care to drive safely.
• Breach of duty. It must then be demonstrated that the liable party did not uphold their duty of care. For example, the driver might have been operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and this can be considered a breach of duty.
• Causation. You must then be able to show that this breach directly resulted in your injuries or property damage.
• Damages. Finally, you and your attorney will need to show that you have suffered measurable losses as a result of the accident and your injuries, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income.

FAQs

Can I Recover Damages if My Loved One Was Killed?

Yes, depending on the relationship you shared with your deceased loved one, you might be able to recover wrongful death compensation on behalf of your family. Wrongful death benefits often work to help those left behind deal with the financial burdens related to the death of their loved one. These damages can cover any related medical costs, funeral costs, or burial expenses, as well as lost income and benefits.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Arizona?

There are many different causes behind motorcycle accidents in Scottsdale, Arizona. Accidents are typically caused by distracted driving, which killed around 3,275 people in a single year across the United States, drunk and impaired driving, poor roadway conditions, reckless driving, tailgating, speeding, or opening car doors without checking for motorcyclists.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, it’s important for victims to seek legal support from an experienced lawyer.

Who Is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?

In a motorcycle accident, liability will ultimately depend on the circumstances involved. However, in most motorcycle accidents, the following parties may be held accountable: other negligent or reckless drivers, the employers of negligent or reckless drivers if they are on the clock at the time of the accident, the manufacturer of defective bike parts, or local municipalities.

What Happens if I Wasn’t Wearing My Helmet?

In Arizona, only riders under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet while operating or riding on a motorcycle. However, if you are over 18 and were not wearing your helmet at the time of the accident, while this is perfectly legal, the insurance companies involved may use it as a basis to argue against giving you the compensation you deserve.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Scottsdale, it is crucial that you hire a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. As soon as your injuries take place or are discovered, the clock starts ticking, and you do not want to waste any time. The sooner you engage our legal team, the sooner we can begin building your case and pursuing fair compensation.

Contact the team at Bleaman Law Firm, PC today and schedule your initial, no-obligation consultation. We are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve. With our legal team on your side, you can seek the compensation you deserve.

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