Riding a motorcycle through the beautiful Arizona desert is one of the most exciting ways to see the state. Unfortunately, motorcycles are also one of the most dangerous modes of transportation on which you can travel.
There were160 people who lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in 2021, and 1921 were injured. Even when bikers obey the rules of the road perfectly, they are more susceptible to the mistakes of other drivers. When an accident involves a motorcycle, the motorcyclist is often unjustly blamed for the collision.
Insurance companies do not like to sell policies to bikers because of the perceived risk. A motorcycle rider should always read a motorcycle insurance policy carefully before buying it. There might be a clause stating they can deny coverage if the rider was not wearing a helmet.
If you have lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, you should speak to a personal injury attorney. If the death was caused by the negligence of a business or another person, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Much More Dangerous are Motorcycles?
According to a recent National Highway Safety Administration study, only 20% of car accidents end in injury or death, but 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death. Motorcycle crash rates have been on a steady climb over the years since 1997.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Deaths?
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a major cause of motorcycle accidents, and 45% of bikers in fatal accidents were legally drunk at the time of the crash.
If a person is drunk during a motorcycle crash, it is easy for an insurance adjuster to blame them for the entire accident. This is not always true. Just because one person was driving drunk does not mean that other drivers involved in the accident are blameless. They may have done something that contributed to the collision.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of motorcycle accidents in the United States. Car radios and billboards always contributed somewhat to people being distracted as they drove. The smartphone became widely used after 2010 and has caused many accidents since then.
40% of motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents, however, you will rarely see a motorcycle rider texting. When a motorcycle accident is caused by distracted driving, it is almost always the fault of a person in a passenger car.
You should never take your eyes off the road while driving any vehicle. Smartphones take people’s attention away from the road when they look down to see a text message or a post on social media. Some people even text when they drive, taking their attention off the road and their hands off the wheel.
When a driver is distracted, they are less likely to notice a motorcycle on the road. Motorcycles are small and move in and out of traffic quickly. Every driver has a duty of care when they operate a motor vehicle. That includes looking out for smaller vehicles on the road, such as motorcycles.
Road Conditions
Road conditions can be a major contributor to an accident. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to poor road conditions. A motorcyclist may be riding on a clear sunny day and hit a pothole in the road, even if they are traveling at the speed limit.
Oil spills and other debris on the road can cause a motorcycle to skid. If you have lost a loved one to an accident that road conditions may have caused, the city or state where the accident happened may be held responsible.
Insurance Laws in Arizona
Arizona is a pure comparative fault state when it comes to automobile insurance. This means that a person is financially responsible for the portion of an accident that they caused. You can get compensation, even if you are partially to blame.
If a person is killed in a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay for funeral costs. When you lose a family member to an accident, you will lose a lot more than the money you spent on the funeral.
Wattel and York can represent you in a wrongful death lawsuit. In addition to money for funeral expenses, we can get you compensation for lost income and the loss of companionship. Give us a call today.