Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Tempe, AZ?
At Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we help injured riders in Tempe pursue full recovery in motorcycle accident matters.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Tempe, an attorney can pursue compensation from the driver who caused the crash and respond when an insurer tries to shift the blame onto the rider. Motorcycle collisions tend to cause fractures, road rash, and head injuries that take months to treat, so the full cost of recovery has to be documented carefully.
Our firm has represented injured Arizonans for more than ten years and has never worked for an insurance company. A Tempe, AZ motorcycle accident lawyer at our firm will review your crash during a free consultation. Contact us to discuss your options.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Tempe, AZ
A motorcycle accident claim seeks compensation from a negligent driver, vehicle owner, or other party whose carelessness caused a rider's injuries. Most claims are resolved through the at-fault driver's liability insurance. When that coverage falls short, the rider's own underinsured motorist coverage may add to the recovery. The claim can proceed through negotiation or, if necessary, a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Motorcycle crashes in Maricopa County killed 123 riders and passengers and injured 1,586 more in 2024, according to ADOT's 2024 report. A Tempe motorcycle accident attorney uses the crash report, witness accounts, and physical evidence to show how the collision happened.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Tempe
- Left-turn collisions. Left-turn crashes accounted for more fatal multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes in Arizona in 2024 than any other collision type. A driver who misjudges an oncoming rider's distance is usually at fault, and we use sight lines, signal timing, and witness statements to prove it.
- Rear-end collisions. A rider stopped at a light on Rural Road or Broadway Road has no crumple zone behind them. Even a low-speed impact can throw a rider forward and cause spinal or wrist injuries. Following-distance evidence and vehicle damage patterns usually establish fault clearly.
- Lane-change crashes. Drivers who merge without checking a blind spot can sideswipe a motorcycle or force it off the road. Dashcam and traffic camera footage can be decisive in these cases, so we request it before it is overwritten.
- Road hazard crashes. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement at construction zones, and missing warning signs can cause a single-vehicle crash. Claims against a government agency carry shorter notice deadlines, so we act quickly.
- Hit and run accidents. When the driver flees, we work with police reports and nearby video, and we pursue the rider's uninsured motorist coverage if the driver is never found. Prompt reporting to police strengthens that coverage claim.
- Truck accidents. A delivery truck or semi that turns wide or changes lanes can strike a motorcycle without the driver ever seeing it. These claims may involve the driver and the trucking company.
- Uber accidents. Rideshare drivers who stop abruptly for pickups or pull into traffic while checking the app can collide with riders. We identify which insurance policy applies based on the driver's status at the time of the crash.
- Brain injuries. Head trauma can occur even when a rider wears a helmet. We document cognitive symptoms, imaging, and the opinions of treating physicians.
- Catastrophic injuries. Spinal cord damage, amputations, and severe burns from road contact can change a rider's life permanently. We calculate future medical care and lost earning capacity before any settlement discussion.
- Wrongful death. When a rider is killed, the spouse, children, or parents may bring a claim against the driver responsible. That claim can include funeral costs, lost financial support, and the loss of the relationship.
Why Choose Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers as My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Tempe, AZ?
Motorcycle and Serious-Injury Results
Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars. Results relevant to riders include:
- $1,300,000 for a client injured in a motorcycle crash
- $200,000 after a motorcycle collision
- $854,500 jury verdict for a client rear-ended by a state trooper
- $950,000 in a rear-end collision case
- $250,000 for a client hurt in a sideswipe crash
We handle motorcycle cases on contingency, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation.
Founding Attorney Justin L. Wyatt
Justin L. Wyatt has limited his practice to representing injured people since he founded our firm, and he has practiced in Arizona since 2015. He earned his law degree from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and is admitted in all Arizona courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Outside the office, he volunteers with and supports nonprofit organizations in the Valley. He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and the Arizona Association for Justice, and he received a Top 10 Jury Verdict recognition from The National Trial Lawyers in 2021. Riders who choose our firm as their personal injury lawyer in Tempe, AZ work directly with him throughout the case.
What Is Important to Understand About a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Cases
Liability depends on negligence. The rider must show that the other driver failed to use reasonable care, such as by turning without yielding or changing lanes unsafely, and that this failure caused the crash. Compensation in a Tempe motorcycle case may include:
- Emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn
- Repair or replacement of the motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear
- Household help and transportation costs during recovery
- Pain and suffering, including scarring and the loss of activities the rider enjoyed
Insurers often argue that a rider's speed or helmet use contributed to the injuries. Arizona's pure comparative fault rule under A.R.S. § 12-2505 reduces an award by the rider's share of fault but does not eliminate it. The Arizona Constitution also forbids laws that limit damages for personal injury.
What Are Important Aspects of a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Tempe motorcycle accident claims require attention to details that ordinary car crash claims sometimes do not.
- The filing deadline. Arizona generally allows two years from the crash to file suit under A.R.S. § 12-542.
- Bias against riders. Adjusters and jurors may assume a rider was speeding or weaving, and strong evidence counters that assumption. Witness statements and scene measurements often carry more weight than the other driver's account.
- The motorcycle itself. The bike, helmet, and gear show impact points and speed, so they should not be repaired or discarded before they are inspected.
- Available coverage. Many at-fault drivers carry only modest liability limits, so the rider's own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage often becomes part of the recovery.
- Medical records. Thorough injury documentation from the first emergency visit onward connects each injury to the crash.
What Is the Motorcycle Accident Case Timeline?
The length of a Tempe motorcycle accident case depends largely on the severity of the injuries and whether liability is disputed.
- Emergency treatment and follow-up care
- Collection of the police report, photographs, and witness statements
- Inspection of the motorcycle and gear
- A demand to the insurer once the rider's recovery outlook is clear
- Negotiation, or a lawsuit if the insurer refuses a fair offer
Serious injuries that require surgery or extended rehabilitation usually lengthen the process, because the claim should not settle before future care is understood. Cases with clear liability and shorter recoveries tend to move faster.
What Should You Bring to Your Motorcycle Accident Consultation?
These records help our Tempe motorcycle accident lawyers evaluate the claim:
- The crash report number or a copy of the report
- Photos of the scene, your injuries, and the motorcycle
- Medical records and bills
- Your insurance declarations page
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
In the consultation, we review what happened, answer your questions about fault and coverage, and explain the next steps. There is no charge for the meeting, and it can usually be scheduled by phone or through our website at a time that fits your treatment schedule.
Most Dangerous Locations for Motorcycle Accidents in Tempe
A City of Tempe safety funding application identified left-turn crashes, including three fatal crashes, at four local intersections and proposed signal changes to address them.
Dangerous streets:
- Kyrene Road and Elliot Road. The application called for protected-only left turns on all four approaches.
- Mill Avenue and Hermosa Drive. Included for left-turn signal upgrades.
- Rural Road and Minton Drive. Included for left-turn signal upgrades.
- College Avenue and Southern Avenue. Included for left-turn signal upgrades.
Dangerous highways:
- Interstate 10. Runs along Tempe's western edge, carrying heavy commuter and freight traffic through the Broadway Curve.
- Loop 101 and Loop 202. These freeways ring Tempe to the east and north, with frequent merging at interchanges. Crashes on Arizona's state highway system killed 453 people in 2024.
Reach Out to Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
Motorcycle injuries often require months of treatment, and the claim should reflect every part of that recovery. As motorcycle accident attorneys in Tempe, we represent riders on contingency, with no fee unless we recover compensation. Our office answers calls 24/7. Contact us to schedule a free consultation about your crash.