Motorcycle Accident Trends and Statistics in Arizona
In 2015, 4,976 people were killed in the United States on motorcycles, with another over 88,000 injured. Arizona has its fair share of injuries. Out of over 126,000 total crashes in Arizona in 2016, over 3,000 involved motorcycles. Even though they only made up about 2.45% of all crashes, 139 people were killed.
Motorcycle registrations are going up, but the percentage of overall fatal crashes is holding steady. The great majority of fatal motorcycle crashes involved a collision with a motor vehicle, with 85 victims. The second biggest reason for fatal motorcycle crashes was overturning, resulting in another 24 victims. Surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of fatal crashes happened on dry pavement with either daylight or lighted driving conditions.
Typical Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents in Mesa
There are several kinds of injuries most likely to happen during a motorcycle crash, and there are several factors that can influence the outcome. There have been comparisons of younger and older riders, where older riders were more likely to receive some serious injuries. The engine size is also a contributing factor. One of the most common injuries incurred by motorcycle riders is road rash, which sounds trivial but can be extremely serious if it takes off the skin. Road rash injuries can also often be avoided or mitigated by wearing appropriate clothing.
Head and Neck
These are often the most serious kinds of injuries because they can kill or permanently injure the motorcyclist. The use of a helmet can go a long way toward protecting the motorcycle rider, even saving many lives. While riders over 18 are not required to wear a motorcycle helmet, the lack of one can result in a smaller judgment because it may be assumed that the rider was assuming the risk.
Lower Extremities
The most common type of injury, legs are often injured during motorcycle crashes. As the motorcycle goes over, the weight of the rider comes down firmly on the leg, which often gives in and results in bone fractures.
Chest, Shoulder, and Back
Serious and even fatal injuries can be caused by trauma to the chest, abdomen, and thoracic area. Because of the large impact and the many organs in that area, these kinds of injuries can be devastating and deadly.
Arms and Hands
The least common kind of accident, arm and hand injuries may involve sprains and fractures. In extreme circumstances, when the arms have taken the brunt of the impact, the victim may experience nerve damage or even paralysis.
What Can Be Recovered After A Motorcycle Accident in Mesa?
Anyone who is a victim of someone else's negligence deserves to be made whole under the law. This means far more than just paying for your hospital stay and repairing your motorcycle.
You may be able to recover:
- All medical care related to the accident, including your trip in the ambulance, medications, doctor visits, and any physical therapy you need, no matter how long it takes you to heal.
- Any lost wages you suffered as a direct result of the accident or because of your ongoing medical care. This includes any future loss of income if you have become disabled or unable to perform certain duties now.
- Pain and suffering, including punitive damages that will help you recover the amount that will help you recover an amount you deserve. You can also recover because you are no longer able to do things you used to enjoy, like sports.
Even if the other motorist is uninsured or underinsured, there are still ways that you can try to recover your losses. Our Mesa motorcycle accident lawyers are aggressive and will continue to fight for what you deserve so that you can get a reasonable settlement. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we can fight so that you can recover in a wrongful death suit.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Mesa or the surrounding area, you only have a limited amount of time to claim what is yours by right. Call Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case. Getting back on your bike after an accident can be tough, but we believe in justice and we believe in you.
Why Hire an Attorney for A Motorcycle Accident?
Insurance companies don't make money from paying claims. They like to deny liability, especially when it will cost them a lot of money. When you are recovering from an accident, you may feel overwhelmed by all the demands being made on you. This is one of the ways that insurance companies can take advantage of you, as they may try to get you to admit liability or agree to a quick settlement so that they can close their case. You may not realize you have rights, and our Mesa motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting them. When you have been the victim of someone else's negligence, you do not need to make an agreement without consulting an attorney first. We treat every case as being equally important and will listen carefully to the circumstances regarding your claim.
If you are admitted to the hospital after a motorcycle accident in Arizona, the hospital will automatically file a lien to protect the hospital and the medical providers who help care for you. This applies to anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident, and it means that you will need someone on your side to make sure that you are not held liable for all those bills. You also have a limited amount of time to file a civil lawsuit, which may be even shorter if there are other kinds of entities involved.
As your Mesa motorcycle accident lawyers, we can:
- Order police reports
- Take statements and interview witnesses
- Talk to insurance companies
- Engage an accident reconstruction specialist
Additionally, drivers aren’t always responsible for motorcycle accidents and injuries. There are some instances in which another party, like a motorcycle manufacturer, can be held liable. Government entities can also be found negligent if broken or damaged roadways contributed to the accident. Our team is able to pursue justice on your behalf and ensure that whoever caused your damages doesn’t get away with negligence.