Motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix: what riders need to know first

Last checked November 8, 2026

Motorcyclists were in 19% of Phoenix's fatal crashes from 2020 through 2024.1 Arizona does not require adults to wear a helmet,2 and whether riding without one lowers your claim is unsettled.3 Phoenix Police handle city streets and DPS handles freeways.45 You generally have 2 years to sue.6

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Road map of Phoenix for riders, marking the 67th Avenue and McDowell Road intersection, ranked first for crash risk in the region
Motorcyclists were in 19% of Phoenix fatal crashes, 2020-2024. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

How dangerous is riding a motorcycle in Phoenix?

The city's own numbers point the wrong way. Phoenix's yearly average of fatal motorcycle crashes rose from 34 in 2016-2020 to 43 in 2020-2024, and the city calls that increase statistically significant.7 In the same report, motorcyclists show up in 19% of fatal crashes.1

Maricopa County had 1,960 motorcycle crashes in 2024. ADOT counted 123 riders killed and 1,586 injured.8 Riders are often harder to see, so a crash at an intersection is a common story. First on the region's risk list is 67th Avenue and McDowell Road.9

Do you have to wear a helmet in Phoenix?

RuleWhat Arizona law says
Helmet, under 18Required for riders and passengers2
Helmet, 18 and olderThis law does not require one2
Eye protectionGlasses, goggles or a face shield, unless the bike has a protective windshield10

Here is the part insurers will test. Your award goes down by your share of the fault. No Arizona statute says whether riding without a helmet counts as fault, so the point is unsettled.3 Do not assume it will or will not hurt your claim. Tell your lawyer the truth about what you were wearing, and keep the helmet exactly as it was after the crash.

Is lane filtering legal in Phoenix?

Yes, within tight limits. You may pass stopped traffic between lanes only if it is safe, on a street with a limit of 45 mph or less, and at 15 mph or less.11 If you were filtering when you got hit, your speed and the speed limit will both matter. Write them down while you remember.

A driver who squeezes you out has a problem too. A motorcycle has the right to a full lane, and drivers may not crowd it out.12

What should you do after a motorcycle accident in Phoenix?

  1. Get to a trauma center if you are badly hurt. Phoenix's state-designated Level I centers include Valleywise Health on Roosevelt, Banner University Medical Center on McDowell and HonorHealth Deer Valley on 27th Avenue.131415
  2. Save your gear. Do not throw out or fix a cracked helmet, torn jacket or broken boots. Take photos of them and of the bike.
  3. Find your bike. If a city contract tow took it, the tow company can tell you which lot has it.16
  4. Request the report. City street crashes go through the Phoenix Police portal.17 Freeway crashes come from DPS after at least 14 days.18
  5. Get your records early. At Valleywise, call Release of Information at (602) 344-5266. It responds within 30 days.19 Banner records go through MRO Patient Central.20

What if gravel, a pothole or a bad road caused your Phoenix crash?

A rough road can throw a bike in a way it would never throw a car. If a city street defect played a part, a claim against the City of Phoenix is due within 180 days, not 2 years.21 File it with the City Clerk Department,22 and use one form for each person making a claim.21 Report the hazard too. The city's street maintenance line is 602-262-6441.23

What if the driver in Phoenix says, 'I never saw you'?

That is not a defense on its own, but expect to hear it. The insurer may also claim you were going too fast. Arizona lets you recover even if you share the blame, with your award reduced by your percentage.24 Witnesses, video and your bike's damage all help answer the question. If you are looking for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix, ask whether they have handled helmet and lane filtering disputes.

Questions

How long do I have after a motorcycle accident in Phoenix?

Generally 2 years to sue.6 A claim against a public agency is due in 180 days.25 A child's deadline usually waits until age 18.26

Will not wearing a helmet hurt my Phoenix claim?

It may come up, but no Arizona statute settles it. Treat it as an open question.3

Can I split lanes in Phoenix?

You can pass stopped traffic between lanes only on streets with limits of 45 mph or less, at 15 mph or less, and only if it is safe.11

Who writes the report if I crash on the I-17 in Phoenix?

Arizona DPS troopers investigate crashes on interstates and state highways.5

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Sources

  1. City of Phoenix, 2025 Road Safety Action Plan Annual Report, checked 2026-11-08. “19% MOTORCYCLISTS”
  2. A.R.S. § 28-964(A), checked 2026-11-08. “An operator or passenger of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle who is under eighteen years of age shall wear at all times a protective helmet”
  3. A.R.S. § 12-2505(A), checked 2026-11-08. “the claimant's action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
  4. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “If the report you are requesting was the result of a collision that occurred on a town, city or county road, contact the law enforcement agency in that jurisdiction.”
  5. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “maintains records for collisions (accidents) that were investigated by DPS Troopers occurring on an Interstate or State Highway”
  6. A.R.S. § 12-542, checked 2026-11-08. “within two years after the cause of action accrues”
  7. City of Phoenix, 2025 Road Safety Action Plan Annual Report, checked 2026-11-08. “Motorcycle Fatal 34 43 Increasing Yes”
  8. ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts (copy on phoenix.gov), checked 2026-11-08. “Maricopa 1,960 123 1,523 314 123 1,586”
  9. Maricopa Association of Governments, Top 100 Intersections by Crash Risk 2018-2022, checked 2026-11-08. “| 1 Phoenix | Phoenix | 67TH AVE & MCDOWELL RD | 229 | 0.534 | 0.986 | 1.038 | 0.886 |”
  10. A.R.S. § 28-964(A), checked 2026-11-08. “An operator of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle shall wear at all times protective glasses, goggles or a transparent face shield of a type approved by the director unless the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle is equipped with a protective windshield.”
  11. A.R.S. § 28-903(F), checked 2026-11-08. “The operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle may overtake and pass another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel and in the same lane as the operator and may operate the motorcycle between lanes of traffic if the movement may be made safely [...] Has a speed limit that does not exceed forty-five miles per hour. 2. Travels at a speed that does not exceed fifteen miles per hour.”
  12. A.R.S. § 28-903(A), checked 2026-11-08. “All motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a lane. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane.”
  13. Arizona DHS, State Designated Trauma Centers, checked 2026-11-08. “Valleywise Health 2601 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ 85008 12/19/24 12/19/27”
  14. Arizona DHS, State Designated Trauma Centers, checked 2026-11-08. “Banner - University Medical Center 1111 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006 11/18/25 11/18/27”
  15. Arizona DHS, State Designated Trauma Centers, checked 2026-11-08. “HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center 19829 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027 05/17/25 06/13/28”
  16. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Contact the tow company to determine which lot they have stored your vehicle.”
  17. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “The following 10 options are available on the portal to submit Public Record requests:”
  18. Arizona DPS, Request Records, checked 2026-11-08. “Please wait at least 14 days to check on report availability”
  19. valleywisehealth.org, checked 2026-11-08. “Contact our Release of Information office at (602) 344-5266.”
  20. Banner Health, Patient Medical Records, checked 2026-11-08. “you can request your medical records from any Banner Health hospital, provider office, or urgent care location.”
  21. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Be filed with the City Clerk Department within 180 days after the cause of action accrues,”
  22. phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “a copy of the claim form to: City of Phoenix City Clerk Department 200 W. Washington Street, 15th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003”
  23. City of Phoenix, myPHX311 Street Maintenance, checked 2026-11-08. “please call 602-262-6441”
  24. A.R.S. § 12-2505, checked 2026-11-08. “the claimant's action is not barred, but the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
  25. Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
  26. A.R.S. § 12-502, checked 2026-11-08. “the period of such disability shall not be deemed a portion of the period limited for commencement of the action”

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