Motorcycle and Semi-Truck Accidents Turn into Personal Injury Cases

Contact Us Today Many riders enjoy adding custom modifications to personalize their bikes. These customization's involve making the motorcycle reflect the rider’s style or increase comfort, functionality, or performance. However, federal and state regulations impose various safety requirements for motorcycles. Some modifications may cause a motorcycle to be out of compliance with these safety rules. As a result, riders who install illegal modifications on their bikes may face consequences such as fines or the non-renewal of their registration due to non-conformance. Perhaps a bigger issue though, modifications that adversely affect a motorcycle’s safety and may have a big impact on the outcome of an injury case if you are hurt in an accident. Key Aspects of Legal Compliance in Safety When customizing a motorcycle, an owner must ensure that all modifications comply with federal and state requirements for motorcycles. Many of these requirements ensure that riders can safely operate their motorcycles. Regulations typically affect motorcycle parts commonly modified by owners, such as: Handlebars Windscreens Headlights Taillights Turn signals Reflectors Horns Brakes Mufflers and exhaust systems Before installing modifications, riders should ensure that the custom part will meet applicable safety standards under state and federal regulations. In some cases, registering or renewing the registration of a customized motorcycle will require an owner to obtain a specialized inspection to confirm that the motorcycle still meets safety standards. Understanding Regulatory Bodies and Standards At the federal level, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues regulations for motorcycle safety standards. These regulations primarily apply to motorcycle manufacturers to ensure that manufacturers and dealers sell safe-to-ride motorcycles. However, each state’s transportation or highway department will also issue safety regulations for motorcycles registered there. State regulatory bodies will set specific safety rules and requirements for motorcycles, such as maximum handlebar height, braking requirements, lighting requirements, or decibel levels for motorcycle exhausts. State regulatory agencies can also set special requirements for customized motorcycles, such as requiring a specialized inspection after installing modifications or requiring owners to carry insurance that expressly covers the modifications. When Do Custom Motorcycles Break Compliance? Custom motorcycles may violate state and federal safety regulations by exceeding the limits or not following the requirements for motorcycle parts. Custom motorcycle part manufacturers may manufacture parts that are legal in some states but not in others. Some manufacturers sell parts that are not permitted in any state, placing the consequences of purchasing and installing those parts on the motorcycle owner. Typical situations of custom motorcycles breaking compliance with state and federal rules include: Installing “ape hanger” or other types of handlebars that exceed height restrictions Installing front or rear lights in non-standard colors (e.g., non-white headlights or non-red or amber rear lights) Installing excessively loud exhaust systems or removing the motorcycle’s muffler Installing spikes or other protrusions on the side of the motorcycle Installing an aftermarket passenger seat (safety rules often only permit manufacturer-installed passenger seats) Does this mean that installing aftermarket ape hanger bars on your motorcycle makes you somehow partially at fault if you are involved in an accident? No, not necessarily. But if those 20” ape hanger bars, or perhaps the 350mm custom wide tire kit you installed had such a negative effect on your bike’s handling that you could not avoid the accident, an insurance company may very well try to blame you for some (maybe all) of the fault for the crash. This is especially the case if the modifications violate state or federal safety standards as mentioned above. Contact Our Phoenix Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Learn More If you were injured in an accident, you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to protect your rights and interests. Contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer today for a free consultation with a Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer. We’ll discuss your options for seeking compensation for your injuries and other losses through a motorcycle crash accident settlement. About the Author Alex Silkman is the founder and managing member of Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix AZ, he focuses exclusively on personal injury, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death cases, with the goal of getting truly just results for accident victims and their families. Past personal injury cases have included $2.4 million dollars awarded in a wrongful death motorcycle crash, $2.2 million in a malpractice settlement, and a $450,000 award from a car crash resulting in a thoracic vertebrae compression fracture and a fractured clavicle.

Contact Us Today Just like other road users, motorcyclists must follow the rules of the road or face potential legal consequences. One rule that clients frequently ask about is Arizona’s lane-splitting law. Understanding the legality of lane splitting is important to avoid legal trouble when cruising on Arizona roads. The legal team at the Silkman Law Firm can clear up any doubts you may have in a free, no-obligation consultation. Read on to learn more about lane splitting in Arizona. Arizona Motorcycle Accident Statistics Motorcycle wrecks account for a small percentage of all auto accidents in Arizona. However, as most motorcyclists know, their near-complete exposure to the full force of a collision leaves riders extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when accidents do occur. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), motorcycle accidents accounted for 2,317 crashes statewide in one recent year alone. These crashes resulted in 160 fatalities and 1,921 reported injuries. What is Lane Splitting? Lane splitting occurs when motorcyclists squeeze in between the lanes of stopped or slowed traffic. The maneuver is also sometimes referred to as “white lining” or “stripe riding.” In general, the purpose of lane splitting is to save time and bypass congested traffic. Proponents of lane splitting also argue that it allows vulnerable motorcyclists to move away from hazardous road conditions more quickly. Is Lane Splitting Legal? No. Under current Arizona law, lane splitting is prohibited in the state. In fact, of all the fifty states, only California expressly condones lane splitting in its traffic laws. Though some lawmakers have proposed changing this prohibition in recent years, it remains in place. That said, the governing statute makes clear that motorcyclists may ride “two abreast in a single lane.” Lane Filtering vs. Lane Splitting While lane splitting is still illegal in Arizona, lane filtering is not. Lane filtering involves riding a motorcycle between stopped vehicles to the front of the line, according to the American Motorcyclist Association. If a street has at least two adjacent lanes in the same direction of travel and a speed limit of 45 mph or lower, a motorcyclist can move between stopped vehicles up to the entrance of an intersection under Arizona law. What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Arizona? Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be very stressful. Involved riders are often left with debilitating injuries and mounting medical bills. In many cases, motorcycle accidents are fatal. Take the following steps if you are involved in a motorcycle wreck: Safety First – Your safety should be your top priority. If you can, move away from the scene of the accident to avoid further harm. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Regardless of whether you think you have been seriously hurt, it is important to consult with a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Contact Law Enforcement – It is also important to report the accident to the police. The responding officers will create an accident report which can turn into significant evidence in any potential insurance or legal disputes. Gather Information – If possible, collect as much information as you can from the scene. This includes the other driver’s information (name, contact information, and insurance details), photos of the scene and your injuries, and contact information of any witnesses. Document Everything – Keep a record of all your medical treatments, prescriptions, and any other expenses related to the accident. Also, start a journal detailing how your injuries impact your day-to-day life. Do Not Discuss the Accident Publicly – Avoid discussing the accident details publicly or on social media platforms. Anything you say could potentially be used against you later on. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney – Hire a personal injury attorney, particularly one who specializes in motorcycle accidents. They can make sure you know your rights and help you navigate the complex legal process of securing compensation. Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer Is Here to Help Motorcycle accidents tend to result in very serious and sometimes fatal injuries. The legal team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer is dedicated to helping injury victims throughout Arizona secure the full and fair compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can help you in a free consultation.

Contact Us Today During National Safety Month, Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer wants to help keep you and your loved ones safe. We’re not just just dedicated to helping individuals after they’ve suffered an injury. We want to provide you with information about the safety hazards you encounter daily and how you can prevent them. Auto Accidents and Distracted Driving Nearly 20-50 million people are injured or disabled due to auto accidents. It’s estimated that seatbelts save over 13,000 lives every year. Additionally, the most recent reports from the Department of Transportation state that in 2015, 3,477 people died and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by distracted drivers who were either texting or using their cell phones. Put the cell phones down while driving, it can wait. Motorcycle Accidents According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycles have a higher fatality rate per unit of distance traveled compared to automobiles. Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016. Slip and Fall Accidents Falls are the third highest cause of unintentional death. Commercial establishments are responsible for using wet floor signs and keeping their property safe from defects and dangerous conditions that could cause injuries. Semi-Truck Accidents In 2016, 3,986 people died in large truck crashes, many due to truck driver fatigue. Most semi-trucks have black box recorders which record crash information. Bicycle Accidents 722 bicyclist deaths occurred in 2012. Helmet use in bicycle accidents is estimated to reduce the odds of head injury by 50% and neck or face injury by 33%. Therefore, it is important for bicyclists to wear helmets while riding to help protect themselves from potentially fatal head and neck injuries in the event of an accident. Helmets can significantly increase the chances of surviving a bicycle accident and reduce the severity of injuries sustained. Dog Bites Dog bites send 368,000 victims to emergency rooms per year. In Arizona, dogs are never permitted to go at large. Boat Accidents In 2015, the Coast Guard counted approximately $42 million dollars of damage to property because of recreational boating accidents. Alcohol use is a leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents. Have you or a loved one been wrongly injured? At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we fight for those who have been personally injured or even suffered a wrongful death every day. We believe you or your loved one deserves justice. Contact us for a free consultation.