Anytime an accident takes place in the Phoenix area, it is a bad thing that affects the lives of those involved. If someone is hurt in a crash, not only will the victim’s life be altered but so will the lives of that victim’s family members, friends, and coworkers. The far reaching effects of motorcycle accidents show how serious these incidents are and why we should be treating them as a threat to the safety of the entire public – and not just those who choose to ride motorcycles.
Preventing motorcycle accidents is a responsibility that everyone in Arizona bears for even if you never ride on a motorcycle, you can still be involved in a collision with one. While experts have identified numerous factors that contribute to a large percentage of all collisions, one of the biggest issues continues to be the presence of alcohol in the system of bikers or other drivers on the roadways.
Those who choose to ride a motorcycle are held to the same driving standards as those who drive a car. They must be appropriately licensed and must obey all traffic rules which includes laws related to drinking and driving. In Arizona, any type of motorist will be presumed to be intoxicated if that driver has a blood alcohol content (“BAC”) of .08 or higher, and across the state it is illegal to drive under the influence.
Yet despite these strict and clear laws, every day drivers of all kinds operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol in the Phoenix area. While some of those drivers are noticed and stopped by local law enforcement officers, many are not and continue driving. Some will be lucky but others will be at-fault for car accidents and motorcycle collisions which will cause harm.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident where one or more drivers had been drinking, you may be protected under the laws of Arizona and you may be entitled to financial payment. Claims can be possible for bikers and for those in other vehicles and may be brought against an at-fault driver, an insurance company, a corporation, a city, a municipality, or a state. These claims can be possible regardless of whether an at-fault driver was cited for her conduct in causing the collision and without regard to the outcome of any traffic court proceedings.
It is up to victims to bring a claim for their damages and they must do so within a time period specified by law. Failing to act in a timely manner may lead to a claim being barred and a victim losing the ability to be compensated.
If you were involved in a collision and you are interested in learning about your options, call the legal team at Abels & Annes, P.C. today. We offer a case consultation without cost or obligation to all victims who call us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we keep an attorney standing by 24/7. Further, if we represent you in your case, we will never charge you a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we can help you seek relief for the medical expenses you incurred, any surgical or rehabilitative care you will need in the future, any wages you missed from work while you were recovering, the pain and suffering you endured, the loss of a normal life you experienced, and any scarring or permanency of harm that resulted from the drunk driving motorcycle accident. If someone you love was killed in a collision, you may have a valid claim for your damages, though no amount of money can ever be considered adequate when someone loses his or her life.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe in fighting for victims’ rights. If you have been hurt, call us now and let us fight for you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Road Rage and its Deadly Consequences in Phoenix, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published January 18, 2016.