Skip to content If another driver hit you while you were riding in Chandler, you generally have the right to pursue compensation from that driver for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Arizona motorcycle claims come with a few twists that ordinary car-accident claims do not how the helmet law gets used against you, whether your lane position affects fault, and the hard reality that a rider’s injuries often cost more than the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay. Harris Injury Law represents injured riders in Chandler and across Maricopa County. Below are straight answers to the questions riders ask us most.
You have the right to pursue an injury claim against the driver who caused the crash and to recover your medical expenses, lost wages, future care, property damage, and pain and suffering. A few Arizona rules shape that claim:
Arizona’s helmet law, A.R.S. § 28-964, requires a helmet only for operators and passengers under 18. Adult riders may legally ride without one. If you are over 18 and were not wearing a helmet, that choice does not bar your claim. At most, an insurer may argue it should reduce the portion of your damages tied specifically to a head injury that has no bearing on a broken leg, road rash, internal injuries, or lost wages. Whether that argument carries any weight depends on the facts of your crash and your injuries.
These two are constantly confused, and the difference can matter to a fault argument:
If you were filtering within those limits, it should not be held against you. If an insurer claims you were splitting lanes, expect a comparative-fault argument and expect it to be contested with the evidence.
“I never saw the motorcycle” is one of the most common things an at-fault driver says and insurers lean on an unspoken bias that riders are reckless. That bias is not the law. Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505), being assigned some share of fault reduces a claim; it does not end it. The way to counter the bias is with evidence: the physical scene, vehicle damage, independent witnesses, and any video.
Arizona’s minimum liability limits are just $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (A.R.S. § 28-4009) amounts a single surgery can exhaust. Arizona also has one of the higher rates of uninsured drivers in the country. That is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage often becomes the most important policy in a serious motorcycle claim. Insurers must offer UM/UIM under A.R.S. § 20-259.01, though buying it is optional, check your declarations page, and don’t assume the at-fault driver’s policy is your only source of recovery. Learn more about uninsured motorist claims in Chandler.
Most Chandler motorcycle crashes trace back to another driver’s error, left turns across a rider’s path, unsafe lane changes and blind-spot merges, following too closely, failing to yield, speeding, and distracted driving. Road hazards like gravel and potholes and poor weather visibility add risk. High-volume corridors such as the Loop 202 Santan Freeway, Chandler Boulevard, and Arizona Avenue see a large share of these collisions.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Crash Facts report, Arizona recorded 3,036 motorcycle crashes, including 218 fatal crashes and 2,372 injury crashes. Because motorcyclists have so little protection, these crashes produce a disproportionate share of catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe orthopedic trauma.
Attorney Jason A. Harris has practiced personal injury and workers’ compensation law in Arizona since 2006 and represents injured riders and drivers throughout the state. As one of the few Arizona attorneys handling both personal injury and workers’ compensation matters, he brings a useful dual perspective when a crash happens on the job.
You can pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for medical bills, lost wages, future care, property damage, and pain and suffering. Arizona uses pure comparative negligence (A.R.S. § 12-2505), so you can recover even if you were partly at fault, with your award reduced by your share. You generally have two years from the crash to file (A.R.S. § 12-542).
Arizona requires helmets only for riders under 18 (A.R.S. § 28-964), so adults may legally ride without one. Not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim. At most, an insurer may argue it reduces the damages tied specifically to a head injury; it does not affect recovery for other injuries or lost income.
No. Lane splitting riding between lanes of moving traffic is illegal under A.R.S. § 28-903. Lane filtering is different and has been legal since 2022 (A.R.S. § 28-903.01), but only when traffic is stopped on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction, the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and the rider stays at 15 mph or below.
Yes. “I didn’t see the motorcycle” does not excuse a driver’s failure to yield or watch the road. Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule, even a share of fault only reduces your recovery rather than eliminating it, and strong scene, vehicle, and witness evidence is used to counter the assumption that the rider was to blame.
Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may pay. Arizona’s minimum liability limits ($25,000/$50,000 under A.R.S. § 28-4009) are often too low for a serious motorcycle injury, and insurers must offer UM/UIM under A.R.S. § 20-259.01. Check your declarations page to confirm what you carry.
Generally two years from the date of injury under A.R.S. § 12-542. Some situations shorten that window in practice, so it is best to preserve evidence and get advice early rather than waiting.
If you were injured in a Chandler motorcycle crash, the evidence that proves your case starts disappearing within days. Call or text (480) 800-4878 for a free consultation. Harris Injury Law, PLLC 1136 E Campbell Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Serving Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe and the East Valley.
This page provides general information about Arizona law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and depends on its own facts; no outcome can be promised or predicted. Consult a licensed Arizona attorney about your situation.
Reviewed by Jason A. Harris, Harris Injury Law, PLLC.
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“I was hit while riding on Chandler Blvd when a driver made an unsafe lane change. I suffered broken bones and severe road rash. Jason and his team handled everything, medical bills, insurance communication, and a fair settlement.”
- M.C., Chandler
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“After suffering a spinal cord injury, I didn’t know where to start. Harris Injury Law guided me through medical documentation, accident reconstruction, and negotiations. I’m forever grateful for their compassion.”
- J.S., Chandler
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“The insurance company tried to lowball my case, but Jason refused to settle for less. His persistence led to a settlement that covered my long-term medical expenses and lost income.”
- T.R., Chandler
Located at 1136 E Campbell Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Harris Injury Law, PLLC specializes in auto and truck accidents and workers’ compensation. Speak directly with your lawyer from the beginning. Same-day and emergency consultations are available. You never pay out of pocket. Call us at any time – 24/7.
