Motorcycle Accidents

Riders have no steel frame around them, so a crash that would dent a car can change a rider's life. NHTSA counted 6,228 motorcyclists killed on U.S. roads in 2024, about 16% of all traffic deaths1. Behind those numbers are left turns, lane changes and stops that went wrong in a second. Who is responsible for any one crash is a separate question, and the answer comes from the evidence, not from the fact that one person was on a motorcycle. A motorcycle accident lawyer starts with what the scene, the vehicles and the records actually show.

Common ways motorcycle collisions happen

Most fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. IIHS found that 65% of motorcyclist deaths in 2024 happened in multiple-vehicle crashes and 35% in single-vehicle crashes2. An IIHS study of 2017–2021 federal crash data found that a vehicle turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle was by far the most common type of fatal two-vehicle motorcycle crash, at 26%3. Common situations include:

• Left turns across a rider's path. A driver turns at an intersection or into a driveway and misjudges, or never sees, the oncoming motorcycle.
• Unsafe lane changes and merges. A vehicle moves into the rider's lane without enough room, often from a blind spot.
• Intersection crashes. Red-light running, rolling stops and drivers pulling out from side streets or parking lots.
• Rear-end impacts. A driver following too closely or looking at a phone strikes a rider who has slowed or stopped for traffic.
• Roadway hazards. Potholes, loose gravel, debris, uneven pavement, missing signs or poorly marked work zones can unsettle a two-wheeled vehicle.
• Possible vehicle or equipment defects. Brake, tire, wheel or steering failures, and safety recalls that were never repaired, sometimes play a part.

Visibility is part of many of these crashes. NHTSA says the majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally happen when other drivers simply did not see the rider1. That observation explains a pattern. It does not decide any single case, and neither does the type of crash. A left-turn collision can still involve speed, a blocked sight line or a signal problem, so an honest investigation looks at every factor before reaching a conclusion.

Motorcycle crash injuries and their effects

Riders and passengers absorb the force of a crash directly. NHTSA estimates that, per mile traveled in 2024, motorcyclists were almost 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and almost 5 times more likely to be injured1. CDC reports that more than 218,000 motorcyclists were treated in emergency departments for crash injuries in 20224. Injuries in these crashes can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, from concussion to severe brain trauma
• Spinal cord injuries and fractured vertebrae
• Broken legs, ankles, pelvis, arms and wrists
• Chest and abdominal injuries, including internal bleeding
• Skin abrasions from sliding on pavement (road rash)
• Facial and dental injuries

Head injuries draw special attention. In a study of more than 315,000 injured motorcycle drivers in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2017, severe head trauma was recorded in 28.5% of riders without helmets and 13.3% of helmeted riders, and helmet use was not linked to more cervical spine (neck) injuries5. Some brain injury symptoms do not appear right away and can show up days or weeks later6. If you have warning signs such as confusion, repeated vomiting, a seizure or weakness on one side, MedlinePlus advises getting medical care right away6. Our pages on traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury and paralysis cover those injuries in more depth.

How fault is weighed in a motorcycle accident claim

A motorcycle accident claim is usually a negligence claim. The questions are whether another person or company failed to use reasonable care, and whether that failure caused the crash and the injuries. Traffic laws often help frame the duty. In Arizona, for example, a driver turning left at an intersection must yield to an oncoming vehicle that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard7, and a driver on a laned road must stay in a single lane and may not move over until the move can be made safely8. Arizona law also gives every motorcycle the right to the full use of a lane9.

Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If a jury finds that the injured person was partly at fault, the claim is not barred; the damages are reduced in proportion to that person's share of fault10. The statute makes the injured person's fault a question of fact for the jury10. An insurer may argue that a rider was speeding, or that the lack of a helmet made a head injury worse. Those are arguments to be answered with evidence. Under the statute, they can reduce recovery only to the extent fault is proven; they do not end a claim on their own.

We start from the evidence, not from assumptions about who rides motorcycles or how they ride.

Arizona helmet, lane-filtering and insurance rules

Helmet rules, lane rules and insurance requirements differ from state to state. IIHS reports that only 17 states and the District of Columbia require helmets for all riders2. Arizona's rules, as written in October 2026:

Arizona at a glance (as of October 2026)

Helmets

Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. Arizona's statute does not require helmets for adults, but operators must wear glasses, goggles or a transparent face shield unless the motorcycle has a protective windshield. The statute lists some exceptions, such as riding on private property11.

Lane splitting

Riding between lanes is generally prohibited9.

Lane filtering

A two-wheeled motorcycle may pass vehicles stopped in the same direction, between lanes, if it is done safely on a street with at least two lanes in the same direction of travel, a speed limit of 45 mph or less, and the rider goes no faster than 15 mph9.

Liability insurance

Policies issued or renewed since July 1, 2020 must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage12.

UM and UIM coverage

Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in writing. Buying it is optional13.

Whether a rider followed these rules can matter. So can whether the driver did. A rider who was filtering legally, or was riding without a helmet as an adult where none was required, did not break the law, and a driver's duty to yield or change lanes safely still applies. Minimum limits may not go far after a serious injury, which is why your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can matter. Our uninsured and underinsured motorist claims page covers how those claims work. Other states use different systems, and some use no-fault rules for certain benefits, so the law where the crash happened controls.

Who may be responsible after a motorcycle crash

Responsibility is never presumed. Depending on the facts, a review may look at:

• The driver of the other vehicle, and the vehicle's owner in some situations
• An employer, if the driver was working at the time
• A trucking or delivery company, where a commercial vehicle was involved (see our truck and 18-wheeler accidents page)
• A government agency or contractor responsible for road design, maintenance or a work zone
• The maker or seller of a motorcycle, tire, brake or other part, if a defect is shown
• A repair shop that worked on the brakes, tires or steering

Evidence a motorcycle accident lawyer looks for

Motorcycle crashes are often reconstructed from physical details: where the vehicles came to rest, scrape and gouge marks on the road, damage patterns, and the lines of sight at the scene. Some of that evidence disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, debris is swept up, and video is often overwritten. If you can, keep your motorcycle, helmet and riding gear as they are. Do not repair, sell or throw them away before they can be inspected. Damage to a helmet or jacket can help show how and where the impact happened. MedlinePlus also advises not removing a helmet at the scene if a serious head injury is suspected14.

Evidence to gather and keep

From the scene

• The crash report number and agency
• Photos of the vehicles, the road, signs and sight lines
• Names and contact details of witnesses
• Dash-cam, helmet-cam, business or doorbell video

Physical evidence

• The motorcycle, unrepaired
• Your helmet, jacket, gloves and boots
• Repair estimates and towing records
• Recall notices or service records for the bike

Medical and financial records

• Ambulance, ER and hospital records
• Follow-up, therapy and imaging records
• Medical bills and insurance statements
• Pay stubs or other proof of lost income

A crash reconstruction expert may use this material to estimate speeds, positions and timing. NHTSA's recall search can show whether the motorcycle or the other vehicle had an open safety recall15.

When to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney

You do not need a lawyer for every crash. A review makes more sense when the injuries are serious, when fault is disputed, or when an insurer is pushing for a quick recorded statement or settlement. A motorcycle accident attorney will usually consider:

• How serious the injuries are and what treatment may still be needed
• What the crash report says, and whether it matches the physical evidence
• Whether any video, witness or data has been located and saved
• Every insurance policy that may apply, including your own UM and UIM coverage
• Whether a government agency, employer or manufacturer may be involved
• How much time is left under the deadlines that apply

If a family member died after a motorcycle crash, our wrongful death page explains who can bring that claim in Arizona.

Filing deadlines for a motorcycle accident lawsuit

Deadlines are strict. In Arizona, a personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues, and a wrongful death claim accrues at the date of death16. Claims against a public entity or public employee, such as a city or county responsible for a road hazard, have shorter rules: a notice of claim generally must be filed within 180 days17, and the lawsuit generally within one year18. Missing these dates can end a claim.

Other states set different time limits and notice rules, and exceptions can apply. Because the right deadline depends on where the crash happened and who may be responsible, it helps to have the dates checked early.

Tell Us Your Story →

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a review works

1. You tell us what happened

   Share the date, the place and what you remember. Rough details are fine, and you can add more later.

2. We look at the early evidence

   We review the crash report, photos, insurance information and medical records you have, and we flag evidence that should be preserved.

3. We check the deadlines

   We identify which state's law likely applies and whether a public-entity notice may be needed.

4. We explain what we found

   We tell you plainly what the evidence suggests, what remains unclear and what your options may be.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Medical records, crash reports and insurance letters use terms that can be hard to follow. These are some you may see.

Injuries

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

An injury that affects how the brain works, caused when the head hits an object or is struck. A concussion is a milder form6.

Road rash

A common name for skin scrapes and abrasions caused by sliding across pavement in a crash.

Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS)

A scale trauma researchers use to rate injury severity by body region. A head AIS of 3 or more is treated as severe5.

Crash investigation

Crash reconstruction

An expert analysis of physical evidence, such as marks, damage and resting positions, to estimate how a crash happened.

Lane filtering

Moving a motorcycle between lanes past stopped traffic. Arizona allows it only under set conditions9.

Lane splitting

Riding between lanes of moving traffic. Arizona generally prohibits it9.

Insurance

Bodily injury liability

The part of a driver's policy that pays others for injuries the driver is legally responsible for. Arizona sets minimum limits12.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage

Coverage on your own policy for injuries caused by a driver with no insurance. Arizona insurers must offer it13.

Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage

Coverage on your own policy when the at-fault driver's limits are too low to cover your losses13.

Legal terms

Comparative fault

A rule that reduces damages by the injured person's share of fault instead of barring the claim10.

Statute of limitations

The deadline to file a lawsuit. In Arizona, generally two years for personal injury16.

Notice of claim

A written claim that must be filed with a public entity before suing it. Arizona generally allows 180 days17.

Questions

Frequently asked motorcycle accident questions

Short answers to questions riders and families often ask after a crash.

Can I bring a claim if I was not wearing a helmet?

Not wearing a helmet does not, by itself, bar a claim. Arizona requires helmets only for riders and passengers under 1811. An insurer may argue that a helmet would have reduced a head injury. Under Arizona's comparative fault statute, any fault a jury assigns to you reduces damages in proportion rather than ending the claim10. Whether that argument has any weight depends on the injuries and the evidence.

Is lane splitting legal in Arizona?

Riding between lanes of moving traffic is generally prohibited. Under Arizona's lane-filtering rule, a two-wheeled motorcycle may pass vehicles stopped in the same direction if the street has at least two lanes in the same direction of travel, the speed limit is 45 mph or less, the rider goes no faster than 15 mph and the move is safe9. Other states have different rules.

The driver says they never saw me. Does that make it my fault?

Not by itself. A driver's statement that they did not see a rider does not settle who was at fault. Drivers turning left at an intersection must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be an immediate hazard7, and drivers changing lanes must first make sure the move is safe8. A motorcycle accident lawyer will look at sight lines, speed, lighting and video to see what the driver could and should have seen.

What if the police report blames me?

A crash report is important, but it is not the final word. Officers often arrive after the vehicles have moved and rely on statements. Photos, video, witness accounts, vehicle damage and reconstruction can support or contradict what the report says. A report that assigns fault to you does not by itself prevent a claim.

Should I fix my motorcycle right away?

Before repairs, salvage or a sale, it is wise to make sure the motorcycle and your gear have been photographed and, where needed, inspected. The bike, the helmet and your riding clothes can show impact points and help a reconstruction expert. Once they are repaired or discarded, that evidence is usually gone.

What if the driver who hit me had no insurance or too little?

Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Arizona requires insurers to offer this coverage in writing, though buying it is optional13. Check your declarations page, and do not assume you have no coverage until the policy has been read.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Arizona?

Generally two years from when the cause of action accrues16. If a city, county or state agency may be responsible, a notice of claim is generally due within 180 days17 and the lawsuit within one year18. Other states use different deadlines, so check the rules early.

Can a road hazard or defect be the cause of a crash?

Sometimes. Potholes, debris, poor signage, work zones and mechanical failures can contribute to a crash. A claim against a public agency has short notice deadlines in Arizona17. A claim based on a defect depends on proving the defect and that it caused the harm. NHTSA's recall search can show open recalls on a vehicle15.

My passenger was hurt. Do they have their own claim?

A passenger may be able to make a claim against whoever caused the crash, which can include another driver and, depending on the facts, the motorcycle operator. Passengers under 18 must wear a helmet in Arizona11. A passenger's claim is reviewed on its own facts and insurance coverage.

Tell Us Your Story

Motorcycle crashes often come down to a few seconds at a turn, a lane change or a stop, and the evidence from those seconds can fade fast. Riding a motorcycle, or riding without a helmet where the law allows it, does not by itself decide who is at fault.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash, we would like to hear what happened. We will listen, look at what you have and tell you honestly what a claim review could involve.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about motorcycle accidents. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. An accident, an injury or a loss does not, by itself, establish that anyone was negligent or legally responsible, and the law differs from state to state. No outcome can be promised in any case.