After a motorcycle crash, the road to recovery is harder than it should be. Your injuries are serious. Your bike may be totaled, and almost immediately, an insurance company is working to minimize what they pay you, sometimes before you leave the hospital. You deserve a Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer who moves just as fast in your corner.
Gallagher & Kennedy has represented seriously injured riders in Phoenix and throughout Arizona since 1978. Our Phoenix legal team knows how these cases are built, how insurance companies fight them, and what it takes to recover full compensation for what you've been through. Request a free case evaluation and find out what your claim is worth.
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A Legacy of Advocacy for Arizonans
A Foundation of Experience
Since our founding in 1978, Gallagher & Kennedy has been a cornerstone of the Arizona legal community. We are the seventh largest legal team in the state and the only top-10 firm with a practice almost exclusively dedicated to serving Arizonans. Our personal injury attorneys bring a combined 300+ years of experience.
A Record of Significant Results
Our firm has achieved substantial results for injured motorcyclists, including multimillion-dollar settlements in complex injury cases. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys are consistently recognized by respected publications such as Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA.
Your Local Phoenix Team
We are part of the Phoenix community and understand local roads, courts, and the specific risks riders face throughout Maricopa County. That local knowledge, including Arizona’s pure comparative fault rule, is critical in motorcycle accident personal injury cases.
Our Commitment to You
- Free Case Review: Initial consultations are often free and help estimate the potential value of your claim.
- No Win, No Fee: Most Phoenix motorcycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if full and fair compensation is recovered.
- Personalized Attention: You receive direct communication and support throughout your case.
Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different
Motorcycle crashes are not handled the same way as car accident claims, and treating them like they are is one of the most common mistakes injured riders make.
Motorcyclists face a structural disadvantage from the start. Insurance adjusters routinely look for ways to attribute fault to the rider, leaning on bias about riding behavior rather than the actual facts of the crash. Arizona's pure comparative fault system means that every percentage of fault assigned to you reduces your recovery. A 20% fault finding on a $500,000 claim costs you $100,000. Insurers know this and use it.
Beyond liability, the injuries in motorcycle crashes are categorically different. Riders have no protective shell around them. What causes a fender bender in a car can cause a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or severe burn injuries from road rash or fire to a rider. The medical complexity of these cases requires an attorney who understands the full scope of what recovery actually costs, not just the initial ER bill.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Phoenix and Arizona
The numbers put the risk in context. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, motorcyclists represent a disproportionate share of serious injuries and fatalities on Arizona roads despite making up a small percentage of registered vehicles. More than 2,300 motorcycle crashes occur on Arizona roadways each year, with over three-quarters occurring in urban areas like Phoenix.
Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists are approximately 24 times more likely to die in a crash per mile traveled than passenger car occupants. In fatal motorcycle crashes, the leading contributing factor from other vehicles is the left-turning driver who fails to yield.
In Phoenix specifically, the combination of high traffic volume on corridors like I-10, Loop 101, and US-60, year-round riding weather, and a large number of registered motorcycles creates a consistent pattern of serious crashes. Our attorneys appear regularly in Maricopa County Superior Court and know the local patterns, road conditions, and how local courts handle these cases.
Common Causes of Phoenix Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle crashes in Phoenix involve another vehicle, and most of those crashes are the other driver's fault. The most common scenarios our attorneys handle include:
| Crash Type | What Typically Happens |
| Left-turn collisions | A driver turning left misjudges a rider's speed or simply does not see them. This is the single most common type of fatal motorcycle crash. |
| Rear-end crashes | A distracted or following-too-close driver strikes a motorcycle from behind. Even at low speeds, the impact can throw a rider entirely off the bike. |
| Lane change and blind-spot accidents | Drivers changing lanes without checking mirrors or signaling cut off or strike riders traveling alongside them. |
| Dooring accidents | A vehicle occupant opens a car door into a rider's path, leaving no time to brake or swerve. |
| Defective roadway conditions | Potholes, uneven pavement, missing signage, or debris on Phoenix roads can cause single-vehicle crashes where government or contractor liability applies. |
| Defective motorcycle parts | A brake failure, tire defect, or other mechanical issue caused by a manufacturer may support a product liability claim separate from or in addition to a driver fault claim. |
Understanding the cause of your crash is not just factually important. It determines who can be held liable, which insurance policies apply, and what evidence needs to be preserved immediately. Our attorneys begin that investigation from day one.
Get The Full Compensation You Deserve
Injuries in Phoenix Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcycle accident injuries tend to be severe because riders absorb the full force of impact with no structural protection. The injuries we most often see in Phoenix motorcycle cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries — even helmeted riders can suffer concussions and more serious TBIs from high-impact crashes. These injuries are often underdiagnosed in the early days after an accident. Our brain injury attorneys handle the medical complexity these cases require.
- Spinal cord injuries — damage to the cervical or lumbar spine can result in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injury claims require lifetime cost projections and expert testimony to be fully valued.
- Road rash and burn injuries — sliding across pavement or contacting a hot exhaust system causes injuries that range from painful to disfiguring. Severe cases may require skin grafts and ongoing reconstructive care. Our burn injury attorneys understand the long treatment timelines involved.
- Fractures and orthopedic injuries — broken arms, legs, hips, and collarbones are common. Injuries to the hands and wrists from instinctive bracing are frequent and can affect a rider's ability to work.
- Internal injuries — blunt force trauma to the torso can damage organs without visible external injury. These are among the most serious injuries because they may not present symptoms immediately.
- Wrongful death — when a motorcycle crash proves fatal, surviving family members have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim for compensation and accountability.
The full financial impact of these injuries extends well beyond initial treatment. Future surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, home modification, lost career earnings, and long-term care must all be calculated and documented. We work with medical experts and economists to make sure nothing is left out of your claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Arizona law allows injured motorcyclists to pursue the full range of losses caused by a crash. What your case is worth depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, and how thoroughly your damages are documented. Talk to one of our Phoenix motorcycle accident attorneys for a case-specific assessment.
Economic Damages
- Emergency medical care, surgery, and hospitalization
- Follow-up care, physical therapy, and specialist treatment
- Future medical expenses for ongoing or permanent injuries
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Motorcycle repair or replacement, gear, and equipment
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for affected family members
Punitive Damages
In cases involving extreme misconduct, such as a driver who was intoxicated, street racing, or deliberately aggressive, Arizona courts may award punitive damages. These are not available in every case, but when the facts support them, we pursue them.
How Insurance Companies Handle Motorcycle Claims
Motorcycle injury claims attract aggressive insurance defense tactics. Understanding what to expect protects your recovery.
The Bias Problem
Adjusters and defense attorneys sometimes rely on cultural bias against motorcyclists to shift blame onto the rider. They may argue speeding, lane splitting, or reckless behavior without evidence. We counter this with thorough crash reconstruction, witness statements, and traffic camera footage that tells the actual story.
Quick, Low Settlement Offers
Insurance companies often make fast offers while your injuries are still evolving and before you understand what your long-term recovery will require. Accepting an early settlement releases all future claims. We do not recommend settling until your medical picture is fully understood.
Recorded Statement Requests
Adjusters may ask for a recorded statement early in the process, sometimes framed as a routine formality. Statements made without legal guidance can be used to establish facts that limit your recovery. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
Comparative Fault Arguments
Under Arizona's pure comparative fault rule, any percentage of fault assigned to you reduces your recovery by that amount. Insurers routinely seek to inflate rider fault. Our attorneys build the factual record that keeps that number as low as the evidence supports.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Phoenix
- Get medical attention immediately. Some injuries, including TBIs and internal trauma, may not present obvious symptoms right away. A same-day medical record also establishes the injury and its connection to the crash.
- Call law enforcement. A police report creates an official record of the crash that is difficult for insurers to dispute later.
- Document the scene. Photograph the road, your bike, all vehicles involved, traffic signals, and your injuries. Take more than you think you need.
- Get witness information. Names and contact information for anyone who saw the crash can be decisive in disputed liability cases.
- Do not admit fault. Even an apologetic statement at the scene can be used against you. Let the investigation determine what happened.
- Do not speak with the other driver's insurer. Their adjuster works for the other side. Refer all communication to your attorney.
- Contact Gallagher & Kennedy. Early legal involvement preserves evidence, protects your rights, and levels the playing field from the start.
Protect Your Rights With Expert Legal Representation
Why Gallagher & Kennedy for Your Phoenix Motorcycle Case
Gallagher & Kennedy has been part of the Arizona legal community since 1978. We are the seventh largest legal team in the state and the only top-10 Arizona firm with a practice almost exclusively dedicated to representing injured people. Our attorneys bring more than 300 combined years of personal injury experience, and our results for motorcycle accident clients include multimillion-dollar settlements in complex injury cases.
We are recognized year after year by Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA. But what our clients value most is the way we handle their cases: with direct communication, thorough preparation, and a willingness to take cases to trial when insurers will not offer fair compensation.
You can read our clients' accounts on our testimonials page and review documented outcomes on our results page.
We handle motorcycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Phoenix Motorcycle Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Arizona?
Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the crash. If a government entity was involved, such as a poorly maintained road, for example, the deadline may be shorter. Do not wait. Evidence degrades, and witnesses become harder to locate over time.
What if I was not wearing a helmet?
Arizona does not require helmet use for riders 18 and older. However, an insurer may argue that your injuries were worsened by the lack of a helmet. Under comparative fault, this could reduce your recovery. We address these arguments directly and work to limit their impact on your case.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
Arizona requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, but not all do. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your motorcycle policy, that coverage may apply. We help clients identify every available source of recovery, not just the at-fault driver's policy.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Arizona's pure comparative fault rule allows recovery even if you were partially at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. A finding of 30% fault on a $400,000 claim still yields a $280,000 recovery. We work to keep fault attributions accurate and defensible.
What does a free consultation actually involve?
We review the facts of your crash, assess liability and damages, explain your legal options, and give you an honest assessment of your case at no charge and with no obligation. If we take your case, we advance all costs and collect only if we recover for you.
Relevant Reading
These resources from our team cover the legal and practical issues that affect motorcycle injury claims in Arizona:
- How Compensatory Damages Are Calculated in Arizona — A breakdown of how economic and non-economic damages are valued and what affects the final number in a personal injury claim.
- What Phoenix Injury Victims Should Keep in a Post-Accident Journal — Documentation that starts the day after a crash can significantly strengthen a motorcycle injury claim.
- Why the Settlement Is Not the End of a Personal Injury Claim — What happens after settlement and why the terms you negotiate matter as much as the amount.
Talk to a Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
You focused on riding safely. The other driver did not hold up their end. Now you are dealing with injuries, medical bills, and an insurance company that is already working on its defense. That is not a fight you should take on alone.
Gallagher & Kennedy offers free consultations for injured motorcyclists in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. We will review your case, explain your rights under Arizona law, and give you a clear-eyed assessment of your options — no cost, no obligation, no pressure.
Contact our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers to schedule your free consultation. The sooner we get involved, the better protected your claim will be.
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