How Long Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Take?

The duration of a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Arizona can vary depending on factors such as the case’s complexity, discovery process, and settlement negotiations. Nevertheless, a typical motorcycle lawsuit can be resolved in several months–or it can take years to settle.

Several critical issues must be addressed before filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Arizona. Your attorney must fully understand the laws surrounding motorcycle accidents in the state, which may differ from other accidents. Questions you may have include:

• How much can you sue for a motorcycle accident?
• How long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take in Arizona?
• What is the statute of limitations? How long after a motorcycle accident can you sue for damages?
• Do bicycles have the right of way in Arizona?

Consult an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Gage Mathers for advice on the applicable laws. 

Factors Influencing the Duration of Your Motorbike Lawsuit

To manage expectations, evaluate the following factors when trying to estimate the timeline for your lawsuit:

Complexity of the Accident

In many instances, motorcycle accidents occur because other motorists don’t respect a biker’s right of way. In other cases, a motorcyclist could be riding their bike too close to a vehicle and in their blind spot, causing the driver to cut them off when changing lanes.

All these factors make motorcycle cases difficult to handle, especially when the cause of the accident isn’t obvious. Many times, experts testify to help determine who’s liable. This will cause the lawsuit to take longer.

It’s even more difficult to determine the amount of blame to place on a driver when bad weather or dangerous road conditions are involved. Additionally, devastating motorbike accidents can result from near-miss situations that cause bikers to swerve to avoid collisions.

Many bikers also lose control of their bikes and sustain serious injuries. In such cases, the motorist may not be liable for the accident. Complex cases, especially those with severe injuries, take long to resolve.

Duration of the Discovery Process

The discovery process requires considerable time and resources. During this time, evidence is gathered to prove who is liable for the accident. You may have to hire an attorney to help collect evidence, obtain witness testimonies and expert opinions, and conduct depositions.

These processes take time and influence how long your case takes to complete. Furthermore, injuries you weren’t aware of at the time of the accident may surface later. This is why a thorough medical examination is necessary before you file your case. It will ensure that all injuries are included in the suit.

Settlement Negotiations

Many motorcycle cases are settled before they go to court. This can significantly shorten the duration of your case.

In other instances, the party responsible for the accident may be reluctant to settle, forcing you to court. Unfortunately, courts have busy schedules and backlogs of serious cases that must be prioritized. If your lawsuit goes to trial, it might take several months or even years to resolve. 

Hire an attorney with good negotiation skills to help you settle out of court. This will give you more time and resources to recover from the accident.

Appeals

Even after a trial and getting a judgment, the losing party may decide to appeal. This could further prolong the settlement of your case.

In Summary

Being aware of the factors that can impact how long it takes to settle your case before you file your motorcycle lawsuit will save you a lot of aggravation and stress. Talk to Gage Mathers today and ask for advice on how you can settle your accident lawsuit quickly and amicably!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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