The popularity of riding a motorcycle in Arizona has increased over the past decade, but so have motorcycle accidents. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 3,104 motorcycle crashes in 2016 alone, which ended in 144 fatalities and 2,593 motorcyclists injured. Most of those injured are men between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.
A common misconception is that motorcycles are more dangerous because motorcyclists engage in risky behaviors like excessive speeding. But the reality is, of the accidents that involve a motorcycle, more than half of them are the other driver’s fault. In most of those instances, the other driver’s failure to yield, failure to spot a motorcyclist, and failure to properly gauge a motorcyclist’s speed caused the accident.
If you are in a motorcycle accident and believe you are not at fault, you might think that you can handle it on your own. That could be a huge mistake. Having the representation of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is imperative to receive fair compensation for your injuries. You will be contacted by the other driver’s insurance carrier to discuss the accident, your injuries and possibly settlement. The insurance company, however, does not have your best interests in mind. You need someone in your corner that understands the claim process. At the Folger Law Firm, our motto is “Experience with Persistence,” and we will fight on your behalf to obtain just compensation for your injuries.
The goal of any insurance company is to minimize the amount they will have to pay. Often, when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, insurance companies are quick to offer a settlement amount, and with good reason: many accident-related injuries don’t surface immediately. If an insurance company can offer and get a client to immediately accept compensation via a settlement agreement, the insurance company no longer holds any responsibility for further injuries that might surface in the future.
An experienced accident attorney is imperative to ensure that you are fairly compensated, not just for your immediate injuries and medical bills, but also for any future medical issues that you might face. If you don’t take into account your future medical care, you will be left responsible for the medical bills. Although the quick settlement money might seem attractive, without having an attorney review it, you might be settling for far less that what is rightfully yours. At Folger Law Firm we offer a free initial consultation to discuss and evaluate your case.
In motorcycle accidents, you can recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those tangible expenses like medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages are more subjective damages, like pain and suffering from your injuries. Insurance companies will typically offer a settlement in the amount of economic damages to unwitting clients who aren’t aware that they are also entitled to non-economic damages. Keep in mind that once you sign on the dotted line and accept a settlement agreement, there is no turning back. To ensure that you have covered all the medical costs incurred to date, as well as anticipated any that might arise in the future, it is critical that you have an attorney on your side to help you deal with the insurance carrier. The insurance company certainly has their team of attorney so make sure that you have someone with your interests in mind.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Arizona and someone else is at fault, it is still necessary to hire an experienced auto accident attorney to ensure that you recover full compensation for your injuries. Contact the Folger Law Firm today to discuss your case.