Hit on your bike?
Insurance treats riders worse.
Cars cut you off, change lanes into you, pull out from side streets — and insurance bias makes the case harder. Free 5-minute consultation before you give a statement.
The car driver said he didn’t see you.
You were riding the 60, the 101, or a Mesa surface street. A car turned left across your lane, merged into you, or pulled out from a side street. The driver got out and said the universal phrase: “I just didn’t see you.” You went down. Your bike is totaled.
Motorcycle cases get fought harder than any other personal injury matter in Arizona because adjusters and juries carry bias riders have to overcome. The cases that win are the ones where the rider got an attorney involved before insurance scripted the narrative.
Why motorcycle cases are harder than auto cases
Three structural problems make these cases tougher — and the way to win them is documentation done early.
Bias against riders
Adjusters and juries default to assuming a motorcyclist contributed to their own injury. Without an attorney pushing back, the file gets built on this assumption.
Severe injury norms
No airbags, no crumple zones. Soft-tissue cases are rare. Fractures, head trauma, ligament damage are the norm.
Helmet status arguments
Arizona requires helmets only for riders under 18 (A.R.S. § 28-964). Insurance still tries to use helmet status to argue comparative fault.
Lane-filtering rules
Arizona legalized lane-filtering at lights up to 15 mph in 2022 (A.R.S. § 28-903). Insurance conflates this with active lane-splitting.
UM/UIM matters more
Many drivers who hit motorcyclists carry only the $25K state minimum. Your own UM/UIM under A.R.S. § 20-259.01 is often the only path to full recovery.
The clock
2-year Arizona statute of limitations under A.R.S. § 12-542. Government vehicle cases require 180-day notice.
What to do in the first 72 hours
Get medical attention.
Adrenaline masks injuries. Concussions, internal bleeding, and ligament damage are routinely missed at the scene.
Save the gear.
Don’t wash the jacket. Don’t throw away the helmet. The condition of your gear is evidence about impact severity.
Don’t give a statement.
Tell any insurance caller: “I’ll have my attorney contact you.” That sentence stops every trap.
Call us.
Free 5-minute consultation. We tell you whether you have a case worth pursuing.
Wood Injury Law took over my case after another firm told me to take a low-ball settlement. They got me significantly more once they actually fought it. Worth every minute.
Questions clients ask on the first call
Do I have a case if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. Arizona requires helmets only for riders under 18 (A.R.S. § 28-964). Insurance can argue helmet status contributed to head injury severity but cannot deny a claim because of it.
What if the driver who hit me had no insurance?
Your own UM/UIM coverage under A.R.S. § 20-259.01 can pay your damages even when the at-fault driver carries no insurance.
How long do I have to file?
Two years from the date of the wreck under A.R.S. § 12-542. Government cases require 180-day notice.
Was I lane-splitting illegally?
Arizona legalized lane-filtering at lights up to 15 mph in 2022 (A.R.S. § 28-903). Active lane-splitting between moving traffic remains illegal.
How much does it cost to hire Wood Injury Law?
Nothing upfront. Contingency fee. No fee unless we recover.
What if I’m partly at fault?
Arizona is a pure comparative negligence state under A.R.S. § 12-2505. You still recover, reduced by your percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lane splitting legal in Arizona?
Arizona passed lane filtering in 2022 (ARS 28-903). A motorcyclist may pass stopped traffic at 15 mph or less on roads with posted limits of 45 mph or less. Lane splitting at higher speeds remains illegal and affects fault analysis in a crash.
Does not wearing a helmet hurt my claim?
Arizona only requires helmets for riders under 18 (ARS 28-964). Adult riders can still recover, but defense lawyers argue a helmet would have reduced head injuries, which can cut the head-injury portion of damages. It does not bar the claim.
What damages are recoverable after a motorcycle crash?
Medical bills (ER, surgery, rehab, future care), lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and property damage. Severe road rash, TBI, and orthopedic injuries drive higher awards. Punitive damages apply where the driver was drunk or reckless.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
File under your own UM (uninsured motorist) or UIM (underinsured) coverage. Arizona requires insurers to offer UM/UIM; many riders have it without realizing. UM/UIM stacks across vehicles on the same policy in many cases. Pull your declarations page.
How soon should I see a doctor after a motorcycle crash?
Same day. Adrenaline masks injuries. TBIs, internal bleeding, and spinal fractures can present hours later. Emergency evaluation creates the medical record insurers rely on. Gaps in treatment become the first argument the defense uses to devalue your case.