Intersections are dangerous places for Phoenix, Arizona motorcyclists. Too many motor vehicle drivers ignore traffic rules and rights-of-way at intersections, causing preventable collisions. While the at-fault driver might not sustain serious injuries, the impact could severely injure or kill the vulnerable motorcyclist. Protect your legal rights with help from one of our Phoenix motorcycle collision lawyers as someone injured in an intersection motorcycle accident. Contact our firm to hear ant attorney’s take on your case for free.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in Intersections?
Nearly half of all motorcycle accidents occur at traffic intersections according to crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Intersections are so deadly for motorcyclists because of the possibility of crossing paths with motor vehicles. Motorcycles are small and often difficult to see – especially in poor weather. A driver who is hardly paying attention to the road or operating on “autopilot” may not properly stop and look both ways at an intersection before proceeding. This can result in harmful collisions.
Some intersections in Phoenix, Arizona are more dangerous than others for motorcyclists. Crash data has shown that the intersection of 27th Avenue and Camelback Road sees an average of over 61,000 drivers per day. In one year alone, 48 crashes resulting in 17 injuries occurred at this intersection. Other particularly dangerous intersections in Phoenix include Price Road and Chandler Boulevard, 67th (and 75th) Avenues and Indian School Road, and 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. Reasons these intersections might attract more accidents include heavier traffic, more pedestrians, and confusing roadway designs. Click to read more about Arizona Crash Statistics.
How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen at Intersections?
Human error is the number on cause of intersection accidents. Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way, texting and driving, or driving drunk all increase the risk of motorcycle accidents at intersections. Other forms of human error, such as negligent intersection design teams, can also contribute to these collisions. In our 60-plus years of personal injury experience, we’ve seen the following factors cause intersection accidents in Arizona:
- Failing to check blind spots and mirrors for motorcyclists when changing lanes
- Not looking when merging with other vehicles at intersections
- Failing to look both ways before crossing roads
- Distracted/impaired driving
- Speeding
- Running red lights or rolling through stop signs
- Ignoring motorcycle turn signals
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Misjudging the distance or speed of an oncoming motorcyclist
- Cutting off a motorcycle by making a left-hand turn in front of it
Recognizing how and why your motorcycle accident happened in Phoenix can help you identify who might be legally responsible for causing your injuries. Work with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix if you need assistance determining the elements, factors, and proximate cause of your intersection accident. Our firm can evaluate your case and help you name the likely defendant(s) through investigative procedures and evidence gathering.
Who is Typically Liable in a Motorcycle Accident Occurring at an Intersection?
The cause of your crash and the liable party go hand in hand. A driver responsible for causing a crash by negligent driving, for example, would be the liable party. A company might be liable, on the other hand, if the driver was on-duty at the time of the crash – such as an Uber driver carrying passengers or a commercial truck driver. Other liable parties could include the government for a dangerously designed intersection or roadway defect, or a product manufacturer for defective vehicle parts.
While every motorcycle accident case is unique, the party that is typically liable for intersection accidents is the driver of the motor vehicle. Driver negligence runs rampant in Phoenix, with a higher number of distracted, drunk, and drowsy drivers on the roadway. Use our help to go up against an at-fault driver in pursuit of damage recovery after a motorcycle crash. Contact our lawyers to discuss your case during a free review with an attorney.