Speeding on a motorcycle may seem like a thrilling experience, but it can also be a dangerous one. Motorcycle riders who exceed the speed limit are more likely to be involved in an accident that results in serious injuries or fatality. In fact, according to our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyers, excessive speed is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents nationwide.

At Zanes Law, we want to help you understand the dangers of excessive speed so you can avoid the devastating consequences of a motorcycle accident. Let’s take a closer look at how speeding contributes to motorcycle accident cases and what you can do to stay safe on the road.

How Speeding on a Motorcycle Can Cause an Accident

Reaching excessive speeds on a motorcycle can lead to a number of different dangerous situations. Here’s how speeding can lead to collisions and severe injuries:

  • Excessive speed reduces the amount of time you have to react to unexpected situations and obstacles.
  • High speed increases the distance a rider needs to stop safely and avoid a rear-end collision.
  • Exceeding the speed limit makes it harder to drive in bad weather.
  • Speeding can cause riders to lose control, especially when the road is wet or icy.
  • Collisions that involve speeding often lead to more severe property damage and injuries due to increased impact force.
  • Driving too fast increases the overall risk of colliding with pedestrians, motorists, and obstacles.
  • Excessive speeding increases the chances of being thrown from a motorcycle in an accident.

As you can see, there are a handful of ways that riding over the maximum speed can result in motorcycle crashes and serious injuries. If you’ve been in a collision caused by one of the factors mentioned above, you’ll want to hire an experienced attorney to help you seek compensation.

Injuries You May Sustain From an Excessive Speed Accident

Due to increased impact force and a number of other factors, speed-related collisions can result in a variety of minor injuries and more serious conditions. Motorcyclists that exceed the legal speed limit may suffer any of the following injuries:

If you’ve sustained one of the injuries mentioned above in a motorcycle speeding accident, you’ll want to seek medical attention at soon as possible. Doing so will help you get the treatment you need to avoid further complications.

You Can Still Pursue Compensation if You Were Speeding and Caused a Bike Crash

According to A.R.S. § 12-2505, you might still be able to pursue compensation for injuries and losses suffered in an auto accident if you were partially at fault. That means if you contributed to a collision by speeding, there’s still a possibility that you’ll be able to pursue damages via an insurance claim.

However, the amount of compensation you’re eligible to receive will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. Hiring an experienced lawyer is the best way to ensure that you get the most compensation possible.

How to Strengthen Your Claim After a Motorcycle Collision Caused by Excessive Speed

If you were partially to blame for the collision you were injured in, you’ll want to do everything you can to improve your chances of receiving a fair insurance settlement. Here’s what you can do immediately after an accident to strengthen your claim:

Get Medical Treatment

Getting checked out by a physician or at a hospital as soon after your accident as possible is a surefire way to strengthen your insurance claim. When insurance providers see that a claimant received medical care immediately or soon after their collision, they’re almost always more likely to take the claim seriously and offer a sufficient settlement.

That said, if you’re able to wait an hour or so before getting treatment, there are a few important steps you can take directly after an accident to improve your chances of receiving damages.

Call Local Law Enforcement

Always call the police after a motorcycle accident, especially if you contributed to it by speeding. When the police arrive, they’ll speak to you and the other motorists involved. Then, they’ll use the information they collected to draft an official accident report.

Your attorney can use the police’s report to support your insurance claim and get your percentage of fault set at a fair level, ensuring you receive all the compensation you’re owed.

Photograph the Accident Scene

If a road obstacle or another safety hazard that was out of your control contributed to the collision, take a photo of it with your camera phone. If a local municipality failed to remove an obstruction from the road, a photo of the safety hazard may be used to hold the municipality partially responsible for your accident.

You’ll also want to document your injuries, the damage to all vehicles involved in the crash, and anything else at the accident scene that you think might help your claim. A motorcycle accident lawyer can use the photos you provide to show insurers that it wasn’t just your excessive speed that caused the incident.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney ASAP

The sooner you hire a qualified attorney, the more likely you’ll be able to recover compensation for your injuries and accident-related expenses. Getting an early start on your case will ensure that critical evidence is preserved correctly.

If your case requires legal action, hiring a lawyer soon will give them the time they need to file a lawsuit. Timing is a major concern when you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit because Arizona’s statute of limitations restricts the time you have to submit a civil suit.

Reach Out to an Experienced Lawyer Today

As you know, excessive speeding can cause motorcycle accidents for many reasons. Generally, it’s best to stay at or slightly under the legal speed limit when riding a motorcycle or driving a motor vehicle. That said, it can be hard to always adhere to the rules or protect yourself from others who choose to speed.

As a motorcycle accident victim, you may be entitled to compensation from the insurance company for your injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages, and other damages. A Phoenix motorcycle accident attorney from Zanes Law can assess your situation and determine if you should file a claim

If they think you have grounds for a claim, they’ll help you seek the damages you’re owed from the at-fault party. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights after a collision.