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Arizona Department of Transportation data and federal motorcycle safety research consistently show that the most common motorcycle crash type involves a car or truck turning left across an oncoming motorcycle's path. The driver typically claims they "didn't see" the motorcycle. Liability is usually clear, but proving it the way insurance companies want it proven takes work.
The Pattern
Driver heading the opposite direction from the motorcyclist makes a left turn at an intersection or driveway, cutting across the motorcyclist's right of way. The motorcyclist either hits the side of the turning vehicle or the vehicle hits the motorcyclist as they pass.
Why It Happens So Often
Drivers scan for cars, not motorcycles. The visual cue of an approaching motorcycle is smaller than a car, making it easier to miss. Drivers also tend to misjudge motorcycle speed because the smaller visual size makes the bike seem farther away than it is.
Arizona Right-of-Way Rules
Under Arizona traffic law, oncoming traffic generally has the right of way over a left-turning vehicle. The left-turning driver must yield. This is true at intersections without left-turn arrows and at intersections with green-but-not-arrow signals.
What the Insurer Will Argue
Standard playbook: speeding, lane positioning, headlight use, rider visibility (clothing), and "the rider had time to brake." We hear all of these in nearly every left-turn motorcycle case.
How We Build These Cases
Police reports. Witness statements. Intersection cameras and dash cams. Speed analysis using skid marks and impact data. Medical records establishing the injury mechanism is consistent with the rider's account. Expert reconstruction when there's any dispute. The goal is to make the insurer's alternative narrative unsupportable.
Damages for Left-Turn Motorcycle Crashes
Injuries are usually severe — fractures, road rash, traumatic brain injury, internal injuries. Damages cover all medical care, future treatment, lost wages, motorcycle replacement, pain and suffering, and in catastrophic cases, lifetime care needs.
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📞 Call 623-632-0959Frequently Asked Questions
Who is at fault in a left-turn motorcycle accident in Arizona?
Almost always the left-turning driver, who failed to yield to oncoming traffic. This is true under Arizona traffic law in most fact patterns.
What if the driver claims they didn't see me on my motorcycle?
Saying "I didn't see them" is not a legal defense in Arizona. Drivers are required to scan for motorcycles and yield to oncoming traffic. The duty to look extends to motorcycles.
What if the rider was speeding before a left-turn crash in Arizona?
Speeding can affect comparative fault, but rarely defeats the case. Under ARS §12-2505 (pure comparative negligence), the rider can still recover, with damages reduced by the rider's percentage of fault.
Related guides
- Arizona Motorcycle Helmet Law and Crash Cases →
- Is Lane Splitting Legal in Arizona for Motorcycles? →
This article provides general information about Arizona law and is not legal advice. Every case is fact-specific.
