1. Zanes Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane change accidents, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, tourist motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, traffic camera footage retrieval, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery
Background: Zanes Law Firm has extensive experience representing motorcycle accident victims throughout Arizona. The firm provides support for both Arizona residents and out-of-state tourists injured in motorcycle accidents. They work on a contingency fee basis and provide free case evaluations.
Location: 3438 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Contact: (866) 499-8989 | https://zaneslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no win no fee, available 24/7
2. Karnas Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, dog bites
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane change accidents, distracted driver accidents, drunk driver accidents, texting while driving accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident documentation, police report filing assistance, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Karnas Law Firm provides personalized attention to motorcycle accident victims in Tucson and throughout Pima County. The attorneys understand the unique challenges faced by motorcycle accident victims and work to ensure clients receive fair compensation. They handle cases on a contingency fee basis.
Location: 1 S Church Ave, Suite 1200, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 462-3886 | https://karnaslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Rockafellow Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with larger vehicles, intersection accidents, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Rockafellow Law Firm has four decades of combined experience helping motorcycle accident victims throughout Pima County and surrounding areas. The firm has achieved significant recoveries for clients, including a $250,000 recovery for a hand injury suffered in a motorcycle accident. Cases are handled on a contingency basis.
Location: 2 E Congress St, Suite 900, Tucson, AZ 85701
Contact: (520) 624-1800 | https://www.rockafellowlaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation, evenings and weekends by appointment
4. Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, tractor-trailer vs. motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, lane change accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, expert witness consultation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Both Louis Hollingsworth and Michael Kelly are experienced trial lawyers who are Board Certified by the State Bar of Arizona in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. The firm has been recognized as a Best Law Firm in U.S. News & World Report since 2012. Notable results include a $7,437,500 verdict for a motorcyclist who suffered spinal cord injury from a tractor-trailer collision and a $1,000,000 settlement for a motorcyclist injured by a pizza delivery driver.
Location: 3501 North Campbell, Suite 104, Tucson, AZ 85719
Contact: (520) 882-8080 | https://www.hollingsworthlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, moped accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, defective product injuries
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, moped accidents, defective motorcycle equipment claims, left-turn accidents, intersection collisions, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, defective equipment claims, insurance claim negotiation, insurance bad faith claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, punitive damage claims
Background: Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian has over 40 years of experience representing motorcyclists who have been seriously hurt or injured in motorcycle accidents. The firm specializes in serious motorcycle and moped accident cases and has won numerous motorcycle and moped claims. Notable case results include Wall v. Noblitt with a $300,000 verdict.
Location: 4400 E Broadway Blvd, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85711
Contact: (520) 790-5600 | https://www.azinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations: Arizona provides two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under A.R.S. § 12-542. Claims against government entities require filing a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01. Missing these deadlines typically forfeits your right to compensation.
Fault System: Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. The party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
Comparative Negligence: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule under A.R.S. § 12-2505. Injured motorcyclists can recover compensation regardless of their percentage of fault. Recovery is reduced by the motorcyclist’s share of responsibility. For example, if you are 30% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages. There is no threshold that bars recovery entirely.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons
- $15,000 for property damage
Helmet Law: Arizona has a partial helmet law under A.R.S. § 28-964. Helmets are required only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18 years of age. Adults 18 and older are not legally required to wear helmets. Insurance companies may argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to the severity of injuries under comparative negligence principles.
Eye Protection: Eye protection is required for all motorcycle riders unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield.
Lane Splitting/Filtering: Arizona legalized lane filtering in 2022. Motorcyclists may pass between stopped vehicles under certain conditions on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less when traffic is stopped. Lane splitting at higher speeds or while traffic is moving remains prohibited.
Motorcycle Licensing: Riders must have a valid motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsement (Class M) on their driver’s license. Arizona issues motorcycle licenses that do not expire until age 65, with photo and eye test updates required every 12 years.
Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have at least one headlight with daytime use permitted, taillights and brake lights, at least one mirror, turn signals (for motorcycles manufactured after a certain date), and mufflers. Handlebars must not exceed shoulder height when the rider is seated.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available and recommended but not mandatory in Arizona.
Damage Caps: Arizona does not have caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases against private parties. Punitive damages are available when the defendant’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against government entities in Arizona require filing a Notice of Claim within 180 days. Failure to comply with this requirement bars the lawsuit.
Passenger Restrictions: Arizona has no restrictions on the age of motorcycle passengers.
Daytime Headlight Use: Arizona requires the use of daytime headlights but permits the use of a modulating headlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Arizona?
A: Arizona provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents, starting from the date of the accident. If your claim is against a government entity (such as the City of Tucson or Pima County), you must file a formal Notice of Claim within 180 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to seek compensation.
Q: How does Arizona’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, which allows injured motorcyclists to recover compensation regardless of their percentage of fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 25% at fault, you can recover $150,000. Even if you are 90% at fault, you can still recover 10% of your damages from the other party.
Q: Am I required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in Arizona?
A: Only riders and passengers under 18 years old are required to wear helmets in Arizona. Adults 18 and older can legally ride without helmets. However, not wearing a helmet can impact your compensation if you are injured. Insurance companies frequently argue that a motorcyclist’s injuries would have been less severe with a helmet, potentially reducing your recovery under comparative negligence principles.
Q: Is lane filtering legal for motorcyclists in Arizona?
A: Arizona legalized lane filtering in 2022 under certain conditions. Motorcyclists may pass between stopped vehicles on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less when traffic is completely stopped. However, lane splitting at higher speeds or while traffic is moving remains illegal. If an accident occurs while lane filtering, liability will depend on whether the motorcyclist was complying with all applicable rules.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Arizona?
A: Arizona motorcycle accident victims can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.