A 45-year-old motorcyclist and his 38-year-old female passenger were injured in a Glendale car accident when a BMW pulled into traffic in front of them. According to an ABC 15 news report, the Glendale motorcycle injury crash occurred near the intersection of 64th and Orangewood avenues. Officials say the driver of the BMW did not yield right-of-way to traffic before pulling out of a private drive. Both the male motorcyclist and his passenger were injured in the collision. Authorities are considering citing the driver of the BMW for failing to yield right-of-way.
Motorcycles are often involved in these types of accidents because they are smaller and easier to overlook. According to Arizona Statute 28-774: “The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all closely approaching vehicles on the highway.”
It is common for motorcycle riders and passengers to suffer serious injuries when they are involved in a collision with another vehicle. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 122 fatalities and 2,477 injuries suffered by motorcycle operators and passengers throughout the state in the year 2009 alone.
The skilled Arizona motorcycle accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. help the injured victims receive fair compensation for the losses they have suffered. If you have been injured in a Glendale motorcycle accident, please contact our law office at 623-930-8064 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
It is well-known that motorcycle helmets can greatly reduce the risk of head injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries, suffered in Arizona motorcycle accidents. A new study conducted by Johns Hopkins shows that helmets can also reduce the risk of cervical spine injuries.
Previous studies suggested that a helmet could actually cause additional spinal injuries by adding extra torque on the neck during a collision. But, according to a February 9, 2011 article in News-Line, the John Hopkins study reports that helmeted riders “were 22 percent less likely to suffer cervical spine injury than those without helmets.” It is not clear if this new study will have an impact on state laws relating to motorcycle helmet use.
Currently, only 20 states have mandatory helmet laws for all motorcycle riders. In Arizona, helmets are only legally required for riders 18 years of age or younger. This means that adult riders in Arizona are not legally required to have any protection between their skull and the road if they are involved in a serious Tucson motorcycle accident.
Since motorcycles provide virtually no protection to their riders, accident victims often suffer serious injuries – predominantly brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Such catastrophic injuries lead to lifelong disabilities, which turn the lives of the victims upside down. When negligent drivers injure Arizona motorcycle riders, the victim may pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, please contact the skilled Tucson motorcycle accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. to obtain more information about how to pursue your legal rights. Call us at 520-624-4228 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Motorcycle helmets are a rider’s best protection against fatal head injuries during a motorcycle accident in Phoenix. In fact, a study made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006 reveals that helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing fatal head injuries to motorcyclists. Another research study conducted by Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) estimates helmets are 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
Just days ago, an off duty police officer was involved in a Phoenix motorcycle accident, leaving him critically injured. Investigators say that he was not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred at 51st Avenue on Monday morning.
As reported by AZ Family (12/20/2010), while heading to an off duty job, the officer’s motorcycle crashed after skidding and rear ending a box truck while changing lanes. The 35-year-old member of the Phoenix Police was immediately transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital and remains in a critical condition.
In the United States, twenty states and the District of Columbia have existing motorcycle helmet laws requiring all riders to wear a helmet; Arizona is not one of them. Here it is a rider’s choice whether to wear a helmet or not. However, while there may not be a written law requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, if a rider is in an accident and his or her injuries could have been prevented had he or she worn a helmet, the at-fault driver could avoid penalty! You can learn about this seeming paradox in our new book, The Arizona Motorcycle Accident Guide, available now. Please call (602) 267-1280 if you would like a free copy.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a motorcycle accident, a free consultation is available with one of our Phoenix motorcycle crash lawyers at (602) 267-1280. As top Phoenix accident attorneys, we are committed to fighting for rightful compensation for all accident victims in Arizona.
Arizona motorcycle accidents often lead to major head injuries that can be fatal or disable the victim for life. In Arizona, riders are only required to wear a helmet only if they are under the age of 18. However, it has been consistently proven that wearing a helmet greatly increases survival rates among motorcycle accident victims. Helmets also significantly reduce the likelihood of the rider suffering a traumatic brain injury. If you are going to ride a motorcycle in Arizona, it is in your best interest to purchase a helmet and to ride with caution.
There is no point in getting a helmet if you are not going to get one that will properly protect you. Any motorcycle helmet you use should have a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker on the back. This is proof that the helmet has been tested and that it will function properly in the event of an Arizona motorcycle accident.
There are many different types of motorcycle helmets, but only some of them may work properly for you. There are several steps you can take to make sure you buy the right motorcycle helmet. Make sure you find a helmet that fits snugly and one that remains stable when you shake your head back and forth. Full-face helmets should grip the top of your head and your jaw and cheeks. Remember that sizes differ between companies, so it is important to try on a helmet and to really test it out before purchasing it. Put the helmet on your head, strap it snugly to your chin and then grab the rear of the helmet and try to remove it. If the helmet does not come off then it is the right helmet for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Arizona motorcycle accident, it would be in your best interest to contact the experienced Phoenix motorcycle injury lawyers at Breyer Law Offices P.C. at (602)-978-6400. We will examine all aspects of the crash, help determine fault and liability and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Please contact our office today for a free and comprehensive consultation on your Arizona motorcycle crash case.
Most injury attorneys in Arizona know that the law involving wearing a helmet while on a motorcycle is inconsistent. Unfortunately, most people, and some lawyers, don’t recognize this inconsistency. Why is this important? Because the ramifications of this inconsistency can be unfair to motorcyclists in Arizona.
Arizona does not have a helmet law that requires everyone to wear a helmet while riding. Most people know this. However, based on age and other factors, there are certain people who are required to wear a helmet, but the average adult does not have to. But even though the law allows most adults to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, it also allows a negligent driver that caused a serious injury to avoid responsibility because the rider wasn’t wearing a helmet.
In addition, some personal injury attorneys assume that wearing a helmet would have prevented the injury. But the facts don’t support this. According to one study, more than half of all fatalities happened even when a motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Arizona and the negligent driver is trying to avoid blame because you weren’t wearing a helmet, please contact Breyer Law Offices. Our Scottsdale motorcycle crash lawyers have experience in these kinds of motorcycle cases and can give you honest answers and guidance, as well as educate you about all of your legal options, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
How can a family go about finding a top Phoenix motorcycle wrongful death attorney? It can be a difficult challenge. The family is probably overwhelmed and devastated by their loss, and therefore may have a hard time focusing on the legal issues that need to be dealt with. But it’s not just about finding a top wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix. It’s about finding the lawyer that’s the best possible fit for the needs and personality of the family. So, finding an attorney experienced in wrongful death suits is important; but finding an experienced attorney who will listen to the family and provide them with the answers and information they need is even more important.
As Arizona wrongful death attorneys, it’s our experience that families most appreciate honest opinions about their case. We don’t think it’s worthwhile to tell a family what they want to hear; and, in fact, that’s not going to turn out well for anyone involved. Rather, we feel it’s best to give families honest answers and legal advice, and then provide them with the space to make the decision that’s right for them.
If a loved one has been killed due to motorcycle accident involving negligence, and you’re looking for help, please contact us today. We can evaluate your claim and provide you with the input you need to decide whether or not to even hire an attorney.
One way an insurance company may deny compensation to someone who is owed payment on a personal injury claim is to not share the uninsured and underinsured motorist laws when it comes to motorcycle accidents in Arizona.
Even if you have not purchased uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for your bike, the policy for any vehicle you own or any vehicle owned by a family member with whom you reside may be adequate to cover your motorcycle accident. This fact gains significant importance as soon as the medical bills following a motorcycle accident are too expensive for the other at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay. In this way, hiring an experienced Peoria, Arizona motorcycle accident attorney who understands Arizona insurance laws will increase the possibility of gaining a greater amount of money to resolve medical bills and compensate for wage loss and other out-of-pocket expenses.
If you want honest answers and an expert opinion on how best to pursue a motorcycle accident claim, please feel free to phone us at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. We call it as we see it. We will not tell you only what you want to hear or tell you how great your case is even if there are problems with it. For honest answers to help you decide whether or not you have a credible motorcycle accident claim, give our Arizona personal injury lawyers a call. For a realistic picture of the kind of compensation you can expect to win, give us a call.
Dealing with insurance companies can seem like trying to navigate a minefield. But when you have an experienced attorney on your side, you don’t have to worry. A skilled attorney knows how to develop a strong case on your behalf and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.
So if you do receive any paperwork after you’ve been in an auto accident, then please don’t sign it. Again, the insurance company is not looking out for you – regardless of what they might say over the phone. Therefore, if you were involved in a serious accident, then it’s important to contact a Glendale personal injury attorney. A skilled lawyer has dealt with many of the insurance companies in the past in similar situations and knows exactly which documents might hurt your case simply by signing them.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident in Glendale – or somewhere else in Arizona – and you have questions about dealing with the insurance company, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Breyer Law Offices today. We offer a free, no obligation initial consultation to discuss your case, review your options, and answer any questions you may have. Please call us today at 602-978-6400 to schedule a free case review or visit our main website at www.BreyerLaw.com for more information.
In Part Two of our discussion regarding how insurance companies may try to deny a fair settlement for victims of motorcycle crashes, we start by addressing that there is a way to fight the law that allows insurance companies to deny fair payment to a victim who was not wearing a helmet. An insurance company may imply that you simply cannot argue this law and that it’s set in stone, but the truth of the matter is that the burden of proof rests with the at fault driver, not with the injured victim. Therefore, the at fault driver and their insurance company have a higher standard to meet. By hiring a skilled attorney – one with experience in dealing with motorcycle accidents in Glendale – you may still be able to receive full compensation for your injuries. A top notch attorney will be able to hire expert witnesses, evaluate the facts and the law, and develop strong legal arguments on your behalf.
Another way in which an insurance company will sometimes try to deny compensation is to not share information about the uninsured and underinsured motorist laws. You might not have this kind of coverage in your current motorcycle accident policy, but you may have it if you own a car with insurance or if one of your family member’s who lives with you owns a car with this type of coverage. If that’s the case, then you can actually use this portion of your car insurance policy to help you pay for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and the insurance company is trying to deny your claim for compensation, call the motorcycle accident attorneys in Glendale at Breyer Law Offices. We’ll give you honest answers and information about all of your legal options. We offer a free, no obligation initial consultation to review your case. So there’s no reason to wait. Give us a call today.
In the first of two blog posts addressing whether insurance companies really try to deny a fair settlement for victims of motorcycle accidents, we begin by saying that, yes, it’s true. The at fault driver and the insurance company will most likely do anything possible in order to try and deny your fair compensation for your Glendale motorcycle accident.
Many times, insurance companies will try and play games with the victims of a motorcycle accident or an auto accident. However, there are certain things that an insurance company will try to pull strictly on motorcyclists in an attempt to deny a personal injury claim. For that reason, it’s critically important to retain a skilled Glendale motorcycle accident attorney – one who knows the law pertaining to motorcycles inside and out.
So, how exactly will an insurance company try and deny your claim? Well, there are really a number of ways – and in fact, the ways are really too long to list here. That said, there are some things we’ve seen insurance companies do time and again in order to try and deny your claim for injuries and damages.
First of all, you’re probably already aware that under Arizona law, you don’t have to wear a helmet while driving a motorcycle as long as you are over the age of 18. So for most riders, it’s completely legal to ride a motorcycle and not wear a helmet. But there’s also a law on the Arizona books giving an insurance company the right to deny fair payment to the injured victim just because the victim was not wearing a helmet. So in a way, the law tricks motorcycle drivers who don’t know any better when it comes to wearing a helmet. Motorcyclists are allowed by law to not wear a helmet, and yet if they are involved and injured in a car accident, then they can be penalized for following the law – and their personal injury claim could be denied. This argument is allowed even if all the parties involved agree that the motorcyclist was not at fault in any way.
For more information on how some insurance companies will try to deny a fair settlement for victims of motorcycle collisions, please read Part Two of our series tomorrow.
