1. Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic and brain injuries, defective products, dog bites, drowning and swimming pool accidents, fires and explosions, medical negligence, nursing home abuse, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, sudden lane change motorcycle accidents, left-turning motorist accidents, tailgating motorcycle accidents, motorcycles struck by motorists running stoplights and stop signs, defective motorcycle part accidents, defective road condition accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free consultations available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, police report analysis, witness interviews, preservation letters to defendants, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims
Background: The firm reports a 99% success rate with over 550 five-star reviews. Attorney Marc Lamber and Attorney Chris Goodnow lead the practice. Marc Lamber is licensed in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, and New York. Some attorneys at the firm are motorcycle enthusiasts with personal riding experience. The firm maintains offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Denver. Lamber Goodnow is a division of Fennemore Craig, P.C.
Location: 2394 E Camelback Rd, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (serving Scottsdale)
Contact: 602-ARIZONA (602-274-9662) | https://lambergoodnow.com/scottsdale-personal-injury-lawyers/scottsdale-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless case is won, contingency fee arrangement
2. Suzuki Law Offices
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injuries, delivery vehicle accidents, personal injury, criminal defense
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, speeding driver accidents, road hazard accidents, pothole accidents, debris-related accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle collisions
Legal Services: Free case evaluations, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, loss of earning capacity claims, pain and suffering damages, emotional distress claims, property damage recovery, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Suzuki Law Offices has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law. The firm serves clients throughout Arizona with offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Goodyear. The attorneys are skilled trial lawyers prepared to prove cases in court when necessary.
Location: 2929 E. Camelback Rd, Suite 224, Phoenix, AZ 85016 (serving Scottsdale)
Contact: (602) 682-5270 | https://www.suzukilawoffices.com/scottsdale/motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation, bilingual services available in English and Spanish
3. Scottsdale Injury Lawyers LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, trucking accidents, bicycle injuries, slip trip and fall injuries, dog bites, civil rights violations, police brutality, wrongful death, survival actions
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, head-on motorcycle collisions, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle collisions
Legal Services: Free case evaluations, negligence investigation, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, civil rights claims
Background: The firm has over 50 years of combined legal experience. Attorney Charles “Tony” Piccuta is the founder and lead trial attorney, admitted to practice in Arizona, California, Illinois, and Nevada after passing all bar exams on the first try. Attorney Chuck Piccuta has practiced law for over 40 years as a former naval officer and JAG attorney. The firm has achieved a $1,925,000 motorcycle accident jury verdict. The firm is rated by Super Lawyers and BBB accredited.
Location: 8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 204, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Contact: (480) 900-7390 | https://www.scottsdaleinjurylawyers.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
4. Stone Rose Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, lane change accidents, left-turn motorcycle accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Free consultations, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage recovery, wrongful death claims
Background: Stone Rose Law provides personal injury representation to motorcyclists in Scottsdale and throughout Arizona. The firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no fees unless the firm recovers compensation. The attorneys have experience handling Arizona comparative fault cases and insurance settlement negotiations.
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona (serving Maricopa County)
Contact: (480) 631-3025 | https://www.stoneroselaw.com/az-personal-injury/scottsdale-motorcycle-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
5. Goldberg and Osborne
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, nursing home abuse, defective products, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, intersection motorcycle accidents, head-on motorcycle collisions, lane change accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver motorcycle accidents, defective road condition accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle collisions
Legal Services: Free case evaluations, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, property damage recovery, wrongful death claims
Background: Goldberg and Osborne has been serving Arizona since 1989 and has recovered over $2 billion for clients. The firm maintains multiple offices throughout Arizona and provides bilingual services. The firm is one of the most recognized personal injury practices in the state.
Location: Multiple Arizona offices serving Scottsdale
Contact: 1-800-THE-EAGLE (1-800-843-3245) | https://1800theeagle.com/scottsdale/motorcycle-accident/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement, bilingual services available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under ARS Section 12-542. Claims against government entities require a notice of claim filed within 180 days.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the accident is responsible for damages, and injured parties file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under ARS Section 12-2505. An injured party can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault, though their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault. There is no threshold that bars recovery entirely.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Liability coverage of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15).
Helmet Laws: Arizona has a partial helmet law. Riders under age 18 must wear helmets. Riders 18 and older are not required to wear helmets but are encouraged to do so for safety.
Eye Protection Requirements: All motorcycle riders must wear protective glasses, goggles, or a transparent face shield unless the motorcycle is equipped with a protective windshield.
Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Laws: Lane filtering became legal in Arizona in September 2022. Motorcyclists may pass between stopped vehicles in adjacent lanes traveling in the same direction when traffic is stopped, the road has two or more lanes in the same direction, the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and the motorcycle travels at 15 mph or less. Lane splitting while traffic is in motion remains illegal.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: A Class M license or motorcycle endorsement is required to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. Applicants must pass written and skills tests or complete an approved motorcycle safety course.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: Required equipment includes at least one mirror, a muffler in good working condition, turn signals on motorcycles manufactured after certain dates, proper lighting including headlamp, tail lamp, and brake light, and handlebar grips.
Personal Injury Protection Requirements: PIP coverage is not required in Arizona as it is an at-fault state.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Under ARS Section 20-259.01, insurance companies must offer UM/UIM coverage to policyholders at the time of purchase. Policyholders may reject this coverage in writing but are encouraged to purchase it.
Damage Caps: Arizona has no caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are generally available but must be proven by clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s evil mind or willful conduct.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Arizona allows third-party liability claims against establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons who subsequently cause accidents.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners may be held liable if they negligently entrust their motorcycle to an incompetent or unfit driver.
Helmet Use as Evidence of Comparative Negligence: Since adults are not required to wear helmets in Arizona, failure to wear a helmet generally cannot be used as evidence of comparative negligence.
Punitive Damages Availability: Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct. These require clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s evil mind.
Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Arizona recognizes bad faith insurance claims allowing policyholders to sue insurers for unreasonable claim handling, unfair delays, and wrongful denials.
Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations and Eligible Claimants: Two years from the date of death under ARS Section 12-542. Eligible claimants include surviving spouse, surviving children, and surviving parents or legal guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from motorcycle accidents under ARS Section 12-542. This deadline begins on the date of the accident for personal injury claims and on the date of death for wrongful death claims. If you need to file a claim against a government entity, such as a city or state agency, you must file a notice of claim within 180 days of the accident. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the court system. It is advisable to consult with an attorney promptly after an accident to preserve your legal rights.
How does Arizona pure comparative negligence affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, which is more favorable to injured plaintiffs than the modified systems used in many other states. Under this rule, you can recover compensation even if you were substantially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% responsible for the accident and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $60,000. Unlike states with a 50% or 51% bar, Arizona does not prevent you from recovering damages no matter how high your fault percentage. Insurance companies may attempt to attribute fault to motorcyclists to reduce their payout obligations, making legal representation valuable.
Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet in Arizona?
Arizona does not require adults 18 and older to wear helmets while riding motorcycles. Because helmet use is not legally mandated for adults, failing to wear a helmet generally cannot be used as evidence of negligence against you in a personal injury claim. The defense cannot argue that you were comparatively negligent for not wearing a helmet when the law does not require you to do so. However, wearing a DOT-approved helmet is strongly recommended for safety reasons, as it significantly reduces the risk of traumatic brain injuries in accidents. If a rider under 18 is injured while not wearing a helmet, the helmet law violation could potentially affect the claim.
What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Scottsdale?
Motorcycle accident victims in Arizona may recover economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical needs), lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage to the motorcycle and gear. Non-economic damages include physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, disfigurement and scarring, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium. Punitive damages may also be available in cases where the defendant acted with an evil mind or engaged in willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct.
Is lane filtering legal for motorcyclists in Arizona?
Arizona legalized lane filtering in September 2022, making it one of the few states to explicitly permit this practice. Lane filtering allows motorcyclists to pass between stopped vehicles in adjacent lanes traveling in the same direction under specific conditions. The traffic must be stopped, the road must have two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, the posted speed limit must be 45 mph or less, and the motorcycle must travel at 15 mph or less while filtering. Lane splitting while traffic is in motion remains illegal in Arizona. If you are involved in an accident while lane filtering, the legality of your actions at the time of the crash will be relevant to determining fault. Complying with all the legal requirements for lane filtering helps protect your claim if an accident occurs.