Personal Attention & Quality Legal Service Since 1961
If you’ve been in an accident, you’re likely dealing with shock, pain, and uncertainty. The moments after a motorcycle crash can feel overwhelming, but the steps you take immediately can protect both your health and your legal claim.
At Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC, we’ve represented injured riders in Mesa and throughout Arizona for more than 60 years. We understand how devastating these crashes can be and how quickly insurance companies move to protect their own interests. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help secure the compensation you deserve.
Your safety comes first. If you are able, move out of traffic and away from further danger. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to secondary impacts, particularly on busy roads in and around Mesa.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-666, accidents involving injury or significant property damage must be reported. Always call 911. A police report creates an official record that becomes critical evidence later.
Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate. Keep the interaction calm and factual. Do not discuss who was at fault or not.
Bystanders often leave quickly. If anyone saw what happened, get their names and contact information immediately. Independent witnesses can significantly strengthen your case.
Use your phone to photograph and record:
This evidence may disappear within hours.
Motorcycle accidents frequently cause serious injuries even if you don’t feel pain right away. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are dramatically more likely to suffer fatal or severe injuries compared to passenger vehicle occupants.
Adrenaline can mask symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or internal bleeding. A same-day medical evaluation not only protects your health but also creates documentation that ties your injuries directly to the crash.
Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Insurance companies aim to minimize payouts. But, having legal representation early protects your rights and prevents costly mistakes.
Arizona’s motorcycle laws directly impact how fault and compensation work after a crash. At Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC, we leverage the following laws to ensure you receive every dollar available for your injuries.
Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault. If you are found 20% responsible, your compensation is reduced by 20%. Even if you were 99% at fault, you can still recover 1% of your damages. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto riders. Reducing your percentage of fault directly increases your recovery.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-903, lane filtering is legal in limited circumstances. A motorcyclist may pass stopped vehicles at 15 mph or less on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or lower. However, lane splitting remains illegal. Understanding the difference can protect your claim if a driver alleges you were riding unlawfully.
The "Helmet Defense"
Arizona law does not require riders 18 and older to wear helmets. However, insurers frequently argue that not wearing one contributed to your injuries. This tactic, sometimes called the “helmet defense,” is used to reduce payouts. Even when helmet use is not legally required, the argument may arise in settlement negotiations.
Motorcycle accident claims often hinge on documentation. Helmet cam or dash cam footage can serve as your most objective witness. Video evidence can quickly resolve disputes about traffic signals, speed, or right-of-way violations.
The police report also plays a crucial role. Officers document initial findings, statements, and diagrams that help shape the fault narrative. While not definitive proof, it strongly influences negotiations.
Medical records and personal recovery journals can support non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Documenting your daily limitations, missed work, emotional distress, and treatment progress strengthens your claim.
In more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be brought in to analyze impact angles, braking distances, and road conditions.
At Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC, we have proudly served the Mesa community for more than five decades. Our attorneys are members of the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and National Trial Lawyers. Our firm holds an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest standards of legal ability and ethics.
When you hire us, we conduct a thorough investigation, gather medical records and witness statements, work with reconstruction experts when necessary, and handle all negotiations with insurance companies. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we are prepared to litigate your case in court.
We pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and when appropriate, punitive damages. Most importantly, we treat every client like family. You deserve compassionate support while you recover and relentless advocacy in the courtroom. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Mesa or anywhere in Arizona, don’t allow insurance companies to undervalue your claim.
Call Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC at (480) 833-8800 for a free consultation and let us fight for the justice you deserve.