Arizona has complex regulations governing personal injury and motorcycle accidents. We couldn't possible include all of them here. If you have been harmed in an accident, hiring an experienced Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer is in your best interests.
We can provide an outline of some of Arizona's legislation, but motorcycle accident situations can be complicated. Understanding the basics of how Arizona defines fault and negligence may only be the tip of the iceberg in your particular case. The Arizona Statute of Limitations The statute of limitations is the time restriction within which a lawsuit can be brought. Each state has its own statute of limitations, which may differ based on the type of lawsuit. Arizona law normally imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including those resulting from motorcycle accidents. This implies that you normally have two years after the accident to initiate a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. Arizona Laws for Motorcycle Drivers As with all states, motorcycle riders in Arizona must observe all state motor vehicle regulations, including insurance requirements.
These standards are $25,000 for physical injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage at a minimum. There are also certain laws that apply only to motorcycles. Age Restrictions. Arizona requires all motorcyclists under the age of 18 to wear helmets when riding. Helmets are optional for people above the age of 18, but they are often recommended. Safety features. Arizona requires that all riders wear some form of facial protection. Many motorcycles have a protective windshield, which is adequate to comply with the regulations. If your bike does not have this function, you must wear safety goggles, glasses, or a face shield. Lane splitting. Arizona does not allow lane splitting at all, but has recently approved legislation permitting "lane filtering" in some instances. Motorcycles can "filter" between two lanes of stopped traffic if the lanes face the same way, the official speed limit is 45 mph or less, and the motorcycle goes at 15 mph or less. Identifying Fault for a Motorcycle Accident Arizona, like most states, takes a fault-based approach to auto accidents and insurance. In a fault-based state, the at-fault motorist is responsible for any damages incurred in an accident. All drivers are required to carry liability insurance in certain situations—when they are liable—and may carry additional coverage at their discretion. This approach focuses on establishing blame and allocating financial obligation correspondingly. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Arizona, the insurance companies will evaluate the circumstances to establish who was at blame. The at-fault driver's insurance should be responsible for compensating the damages and injuries caused by the accident. The at-fault motorist is accountable for all damages caused, but the insurance company is only required to pay up to the driver's policy limitations. If the losses surpass these limits, the motorist, not their insurance company, can be held liable and sued if appropriate.
Arizona Negligence Rules: Who Can Recover? Arizona uses pure comparative negligence to assess how parties can recover from an event. Most states use a modified version of comparative negligence, which permits people to sue if they are less than 51% liable for the accident. Anyone can sue in Arizona, however their compensation will be limited due to their responsibility for the total accident. For example, a rider with $20,000 in damages who is found to be 10% at blame would be entitled to $18,000 under either sort of comparative negligence. If the same rider was determined to be 70% at fault in a modified comparative negligence jurisdiction, they could only collect $6,000 in Arizona. How Can An Attorney Help You? Following a motorcycle accident, a Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer can give important assistance in various ways: Protect your rights. An attorney ensures that your rights are safeguarded and protected, and they can prevent errors during talks or settlements with the concerned parties. Share the weight. An attorney can help ease the stress of dealing with other parties. They handle all correspondence, negotiations, and documentation for you, saving you time and stress. Assess the damage. A skilled lawyer can examine the severity of your injuries and property damage, precisely determining the worth of your case. They make sure that insurance companies do not take advantage of you and advise you on whether settlement offers are reasonable and worth taking. Investigate the wreckage. During discussions, your lawyer gathers facts and builds a compelling case to back up your position. If necessary, they will take your claim to court and represent your rights in a legal environment. With their experience, you may easily negotiate the complications of your motorcycle accident case.