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Experienced representation for injured motorcycle riders across Utah. We've recovered over $100 million for our clients and we don't get paid unless you win.
Motorcycle accidents in Salt Lake City demand legal expertise that goes far beyond standard car accident litigation. Unlike four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles offer riders no protective shell, crumple zones, or airbags. When a motorcycle accident occurs on I-15 near downtown Salt Lake City or along local streets like State Street or Highland Drive, the injuries are typically catastrophic and life-altering.
At BAM Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique vulnerabilities of motorcycle riders. Our attorneys, founded by Kigan Martineau (formerly of Craig Swapp & Associates) and Dan Benzion (formerly of Robert J. DeBry & Associates), bring decades of combined experience handling the most complex motorcycle injury cases across Utah. We've recovered over $100 million for injured clients, and we know what insurance companies and juries are thinking when motorcycle accidents occur.
The bias against motorcycle riders is real and pervasive. Insurance adjusters often assume riders are reckless. Defense attorneys will argue that simply riding a motorcycle demonstrates negligence. Juries may harbor unconscious stereotypes about motorcycle riders. Our specialized knowledge and litigation experience counter these biases effectively. We position your case to demonstrate your responsible riding habits and shift focus to the at-fault driver's negligenceânot your vehicle choice.
Motorcycle accidents in the Salt Lake City area occur for a variety of reasons, though many are entirely preventable. Understanding common causes helps establish liability and demonstrates that another driver's negligenceânot rider errorâcaused your injuries.
The most common motorcycle accident scenario involves vehicles turning left in front of motorcycles. Drivers on 400 South, 700 East, and near the Salt Lake City International Airport frequently fail to see motorcyclists in their blind spots, misjudging their speed and size. We've handled hundreds of cases where drivers illegally turned left directly into oncoming motorcycles, causing severe injuries.
Salt Lake City's three major interstate corridors are high-speed environments where lane-change accidents claim motorcycle riders' lives regularly. Drivers checking blind spots inadequately or changing lanes without signaling strike motorcyclists traveling at highway speeds. The impact dynamics differ dramatically from car-to-car collisions. A motorcycle rider ejected from the vehicle at 65 mph may travel 100+ feet before striking pavement or obstacles. We document these accidents meticulously, proving driver negligence through accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and vehicle data.
Motorcycles stop faster than cars under identical braking conditions, yet many drivers tailgate riders and then strike them when traffic slows unexpectedly. This occurs frequently on canyon roads approaching Salt Lake City (American Fork Canyon, Parleys Canyon) where tourist traffic doesn't account for motorcycle stopping distances. We establish negligence by proving the striking driver was following too closely to react and stop in time.
Drivers crossing center lines to pass motorcyclists on two-lane highways create head-on scenarios. These accidents are catastrophic. We've represented clients struck by oncoming vehicles on roads leading to Park City, along Highway 89, and throughout the Wasatch range. These cases require careful investigation to prove the other driver crossed into the oncoming lane and violated traffic laws.
Motorcyclists injured when drivers turn right into them at controlled intersections face a "right-hook" scenario. This occurs when riders traveling straight through green lights are struck by drivers turning right who fail to look for through-traffic. We've handled numerous cases at intersections throughout Murray, Salt Lake City proper, and West Jordan where this negligent turn pattern occurred.
Utah Code § 41-6a-502 prohibits driving under the influence, yet DUI drivers regularly strike motorcyclists. These cases involve blood alcohol testing, BAC reconstruction, field sobriety tests, and often criminal DUI convictions. We leverage DUI convictions to establish liability conclusively in civil cases, often resulting in higher damage awards.
Drivers texting, using navigation systems, or otherwise distracted fail to see motorcycles and strike them with regular frequency. Salt Lake City has experienced rising distracted driving incidents on downtown streets, residential areas, and suburban zones. We obtain cell phone records, vehicle data recorder information, and surveillance footage to prove distraction caused the accident.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers represents motorcycle riders in every type of accident scenario. Our experience spans multiple vehicle interactions, road conditions, and injury severity levels.
Standard accidents between motorcycles and personal vehicles comprise the majority of our caseload. These cases involve detailed liability analysis, often complicated by bias against riders. We methodically prove the car driver's negligence through witness statements, accident reconstruction, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony.
Commercial truck accidents create unique challenges and opportunities. Trucks have larger blind spots, require greater stopping distances, and carry significant insurance coverage. We investigate trucking company negligence, maintenance failures, driver fatigue violations, and inadequate driver training. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA) provide additional negligence frameworks when semi-trucks or delivery vehicles are involved.
Chain-reaction accidents sometimes involve motorcycles struck by one vehicle and then struck again by another. Multi-vehicle accidents require careful sequencing of events, impact analysis, and determination of which driver(s) bear responsibility. We've recovered substantial damages in complex scenarios where multiple defendants contributed to injuries.
When drivers flee accident scenes, we work with law enforcement to locate responsible parties. If the negligent driver cannot be identified, your uninsured motorist coverage applies. We aggressively pursue claims against your own insurance policy to recover maximum damages when hit-and-run drivers remain at large.
Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable to road hazards: potholes, gravel, debris, standing water, and inadequate road maintenance. When municipalities or road maintenance companies fail to address dangerous conditions, negligence liability may apply against them. We've recovered damages from Salt Lake City and UDOT for road defects that caused motorcycle accidents and injuries.
Sometimes motorcycles strike fixed objects (utility poles, guardrails, building corners) due to road conditions, visibility problems, or design defects. We investigate whether property owners, municipalities, or utility companies failed to maintain safe conditions or adequate warnings.
Intersection accidents represent the most common motorcycle accident type. Traffic signal timing, stop sign visibility, intersection geometry, and driver sight lines all factor into liability determination. We've handled hundreds of intersection accident cases throughout Salt Lake County.
Motorcycle accident injuries are categorically different from car accident injuries. Riders have no protective enclosure, minimal padding, and direct exposure to impact forces. The medical and financial consequences are severe and lasting.
Even helmeted riders suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in significant accidents. Unprotected riders (which is legal for adults over 18 in Utah) face substantially elevated TBI risk. Brain injuries cause lifelong cognitive dysfunction, personality changes, memory loss, balance problems, and increased dementia risk. We retain neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists as expert witnesses to quantify TBI damages and establish long-term care needs.
Utah does not mandate helmets for riders over 18 years old. Defense attorneys may argue that non-helmet use contributed to injuries, but we counter that argument with comparative negligence analysisâthe other driver's negligence caused the accident entirely, and helmet use is a separate matter. Our legal strategy prevents defense bias from reducing your recovery.
High-speed motorcycle accidents frequently cause spinal cord damage. Partial and complete paralysis dramatically alter victims' lives. Lifetime medical care, mobility equipment, home modifications, caregiver support, and lost earning capacity create massive damage claims. We've recovered multi-million dollar settlements for motorcycle riders with spinal injuries.
When motorcyclists slide across pavement, the friction generates heat and friction burns removing skin layers. Road rash victims require extensive skin grafting, plastic surgery, scar revision, and pain management. These injuries create permanent scarring, disfigurement, and psychological trauma. We include cosmetic damages, future medical treatment, and pain and suffering in our claims.
Bone fractures occur in the vast majority of motorcycle accidents. Complex fractures (femur, pelvis, tibia/fibula) require surgery, extensive physical therapy, and sometimes result in permanent disability. Some motorcycle accidents result in limb amputation requiring prosthetic devices, retraining, and lifetime medical maintenance. Our damage calculations account for prosthetic replacement every 3-5 years, ongoing medical appointments, and lost earning capacity.
Blunt force trauma to the abdomen, chest, and pelvis causes internal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, spleen rupture, and bowel perforation. These injuries often require emergency surgery and may not be immediately apparent. We've recovered damages for clients who suffered internal injuries discovered hours or days after accidents.
Helmet-less riders frequently suffer facial fractures, jaw breaks, tooth loss, and cosmetic disfigurement. Facial reconstruction surgery, dental implants, and ongoing corrective procedures span decades. We include cosmetic damages and psychological suffering from disfigurement in settlement calculations.
Surviving a serious motorcycle accident leaves psychological scars. Clients develop PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain syndromes. We retain psychologists and psychiatrists to document these injuries and calculate lifetime treatment costs. Insurance companies often underestimate psychological damages, but our expert testimony and settlement demands ensure fair compensation.
Utah motorcycle regulations, codified primarily in Utah Code § 41-6a-1702 through 1710, establish rider responsibilities and safety standards. Understanding these laws helps us build compelling cases and anticipate defense arguments.
Utah law does not mandate helmet use for riders age 18 and older (§ 41-6a-1703). Riders under 18 and passengers under 18 must wear helmets. This permissive law means adult riders may legally ride without protective headgear. However, defense attorneys sometimes argue that non-helmet riders bear responsibility for head injuries. Our attorneys counter this argument using comparative negligence principlesâthe other driver's negligence caused the accident entirely, and helmet use is a separate safety choice that does not reduce driver liability.
Utah riders must maintain functioning brakes, lights, reflectors, mirrors, mufflers, and proper tires. Equipment defects on either party's vehicle may establish negligence. We investigate whether vehicles involved in accidents had equipment violations that contributed to collision.
Motorcyclists must follow standard traffic laws regarding lane use. Utah Code § 41-6a-704 generally prohibits lane splitting (riding between traffic lanes). However, motorcycles may share lanes in Utah. Defense attorneys sometimes claim riders were in improper lanes, contributing to accidents. We prove that riders were following laws, or that lane positioning was irrelevant to the other driver's negligence.
Utah requires motorcyclists to obtain endorsements on driver's licenses (§ 41-6a-1702). Some riders lack proper licensing. While this may affect insurance coverage, licensed riders who follow laws cannot be blamed for accidents caused by negligent drivers. We establish that injured riders were licensed, properly trained, and following traffic laws when accidents occurred.
Some riders modify motorcycles in ways that reduce safety or violate regulations (excessive noise, illegal handlebars, improper lighting). While these modifications create defense arguments, they do not establish liability for driver negligence. We carefully distinguish between rider safety choices and driver negligence causing accidents.
Motorcycles receive identical right-of-way protections as cars. When motorcyclists have green lights or control of intersections, other drivers must yield. We prove right-of-way violations meticulously using traffic signal timing data, witness testimony, and intersection geometry analysis.
Establishing liability requires demonstrating that another driver breached a duty of care, causing your injuries. In Utah, we apply standard negligence principles with motorcycle-specific considerations.
All drivers have legal duties to operate vehicles safely, maintain control, obey traffic laws, and avoid striking other vehicles or motorcycles. The standard of care requires drivers to act as reasonable drivers would under identical circumstances. We establish this duty explicitly, then prove the other driver violated it.
Traffic violations constitute negligence per se in Utah. When another driver violated traffic laws (running red lights, improper lane changes, speeding, distracted driving), that violation establishes breach of duty. We obtain traffic citations, accident reports, and photographic evidence of traffic signal compliance or violation.
Proving the other driver's conduct directly caused your accident requires thorough accident reconstruction. We retain certified accident reconstruction experts who analyze vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, traffic signal timing, vehicle dynamics, and impact mechanics. This expert testimony proves causation conclusively.
We establish that injuries resulted directly from the accident. Medical testimony, diagnostic imaging, treatment records, and expert witness testimony document injuries caused by accident impact, not pre-existing conditions or other causes.
Defense attorneys often argue riders contributed to accidents through excessive speed, failure to brake, or poor lane positioning. We investigate carefully. If riders bear some responsibility, we may still recover damages under Utah's comparative negligence statute if the rider was less than 50% at fault (§ 78B-5-818). However, we typically prove riders were operating safely and the other driver bears 100% responsibility.
Utah law allows injured motorcycle riders to recover multiple categories of damages, including economic losses, non-economic damages, and potentially punitive damages in egregious cases.
Motorcycle accident victims recover all reasonable and necessary medical expenses: emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, medical devices, prosthetics, and ongoing treatment. For serious injuries, we calculate lifetime medical care needs using life expectancy tables and expert medical testimony. A spinal cord injury victim might require $3-5 million in lifetime medical care.
Injured riders recover wages lost during recovery periods. For permanent disabilities, we calculate lost earning capacityâthe difference between what the rider would have earned over a full career versus actual earnings post-injury. Vocational economists testify regarding earning capacity losses, frequently reaching six or seven figures in serious injury cases.
Non-economic damages compensate for physical pain, emotional suffering, and reduced quality of life. Severe motorcycle injuries cause extreme pain and psychological trauma. Juries award substantial pain and suffering damagesâoften matching or exceeding economic damagesâin serious cases.
Road rash, burn injuries, and surgical scars create permanent disfigurement. We recover damages for cosmetic injuries and psychological suffering from visible scarring. These damages reflect the impact of appearance changes on employment, relationships, and self-esteem.
Serious motorcycle injuries may prevent riders from enjoying hobbies, sports, and recreational activities. We calculate damages for lost enjoyment and reduced quality of life. A rider who can no longer participate in motorcycle riding, hiking, or sports deserves compensation for this loss.
Utah Code § 78B-3-106 allows punitive damages when defendants act with recklessness or malice. Severe DUI cases, extreme speeding, or racing scenarios may warrant punitive damages. We've recovered punitive damages in cases involving drivers who were intoxicated, driving at 60+ mph over speed limits, or knowingly operating defective vehicles.
Motorcycle damage or destruction is recoverable. We obtain fair market value assessments and repair estimates. For destroyed motorcycles, we recover replacement value.
Insurance companies view motorcycle claims differently than car accident claims, often applying lower settlement values and coverage limits to motorcycle riders.
Motorcycle insurance policies often carry lower liability limits than auto policies. When policy limits are exhausted, injured riders may look to underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. We carefully analyze all available insurance coverage, including the at-fault driver's policy, your own UIM coverage, and potentially uninsured motorist coverage in hit-and-run scenarios.
Insurance adjusters frequently claim motorcycle riders shared fault in accidents, using this to reduce settlement offers. We dispute these characterizations aggressively with evidence proving riders were operating safely and legally. Expert witnesses and accident reconstruction specialists persuade insurers and juries that riders bear zero fault.
Insurance companies and defense attorneys hold unconscious biases against motorcyclists. They may assume riders are reckless, speeding, or disregarding safety. We affirmatively prove our clients' responsible behavior, presenting character evidence, safety training records, and careful operating habits. This positions riders as cautious, skilled operators rather than reckless thrill-seekers.
Utah Code § 31A-22-306 through 309 establish personal injury protection (PIP) requirements for motor vehicle insurance. Some motorcycle policies include PIP coverage, providing first-party benefits regardless of fault. We maximize PIP recovery and use PIP payments to offset damages claims.
Insurance companies challenge whether medical treatment was reasonable and necessary, especially for pain management and mental health treatment. We provide medical evidence and expert testimony establishing treatment necessity, preventing insurers from limiting recovery on these grounds.
Insurance companies offer inadequate settlements knowing many injured riders cannot afford litigation. We negotiate aggressively and aren't afraid to file lawsuits when settlement demands are insufficient. Our litigation experience and track record of jury verdicts ensure insurers take our demands seriously.
Utah applies modified comparative negligence rules that affect motorcycle accident claims significantly.
Utah law allows injured parties to recover damages even if they were partially at fault, provided their negligence was less than the defendant's negligence (less than 50% at fault). Damages are reduced by the injured party's percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and recovered $100,000, your award would be reduced to $80,000.
Defense attorneys frequently argue motorcycle riders were negligent: speeding, failing to brake, improper lane positioning, operating while fatigued, or riding without helmets. We address each argument systematically. Accident reconstruction experts prove riders were traveling at legal speeds. Medical testimony proves braking or evasion was impossible. We distinguish between legal helmet choices (for adult riders) and driver negligence causing accidents.
When riders bear some responsibility, we develop comparative negligence defenses carefully. If a rider was speeding by 10 mph while another driver ran a red light at 45 mph, we prove the other driver's negligence far exceeded the rider's. We frame comparative fault favorably to minimize percentage assignments.
Juries make comparative negligence findings. We present evidence and argument positioning riders as careful operators. When riders clearly bear some fault, we own it, demonstrating responsibility and earning jury sympathy. This strategy often results in minimal comparative negligence findings.
Your immediate actions following a motorcycle accident significantly impact your legal claim. Follow these steps carefully.
Immediately move to safety if possible. Call 911 for emergency services if you or others are injured. Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minorâsome injuries manifest hours or days after accidents. Document all medical treatment comprehensively.
Call police to file an accident report. Provide factual information to officers but avoid admitting fault. Take photographs and video of the accident scene: vehicle positions, damage patterns, road conditions, traffic signals, street names, and visible injuries. Photograph the other vehicle's license plate and registration.
Obtain names, phone numbers, and addresses of anyone who witnessed the accident. Drivers, pedestrians, or nearby business owners may provide testimony supporting your version of events. Never let witnesses leave without obtaining contact information.
Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, driver's license number, vehicle information (make, model, year, license plate), and insurance information. Copy insurance cards. Photograph their driver's license and insurance card.
Do not apologize, admit fault, or make statements accepting responsibility. Insurance companies will use statements against you. Say only, "I was in an accident. I'm seeking medical attention and will provide information through my attorney." Decline to provide recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation present.
Do not allow damaged motorcycles to be destroyed or discarded before our investigation. Retain your damaged gear (helmet, jacket, gloves) for preservation and potential evidence. Do not discuss the accident on social mediaâposts can be used against you.
Call us at (801) 970-9913 for a free consultation. The sooner we become involved, the better we can protect your rights, preserve evidence, and begin investigation. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we recover damages.
Our case handling process is comprehensive, client-focused, and designed to maximize your recovery while minimizing stress.
We offer free initial consultations. Our attorneys listen to your story, review available information, and evaluate claim value candidly. We explain your legal rights, the litigation process, and realistic recovery expectations. During this consultation, we determine whether we'll represent you and outline our proposed strategy.
Our investigators conduct extensive investigations: obtaining accident reports, photographing scenes, interviewing witnesses, and preserving evidence. We retain accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and other experts needed for your case. We act quickly to preserve evidence before it's lost or destroyed.
We work with your medical providers, obtaining complete medical records, bills, and expert reports. If necessary, we retain independent medical expertsâorthopedic surgeons, neurologists, neuropsychologists, vocational rehabilitation specialistsâto establish injury severity and long-term impact. These experts strengthen settlement negotiations and jury verdicts.
We handle all communication with insurance companies, protecting you from aggressive tactics. We build compelling demand packages with medical evidence, accident reconstruction reports, and damage calculations. We negotiate strategically but know when insurers aren't offering fair value and litigation is necessary.
We accept all cases on contingency: we collect no fees unless we recover damages through settlement or verdict. We advance all litigation costs (expert witnesses, investigators, court costs). You never pay out of pocket. This arrangement aligns our interests with yoursâwe only profit when you recover substantial damages.
If settlement is impossible, we aggressively litigate. Our trial experience spans jury trials, bench trials, and complex litigation. We prepare meticulously: expert witness preparation, exhibit development, jury selection strategy, and opening/closing argument development. We're not afraid of trials and have recovered millions in jury verdicts for motorcycle accident clients.
We keep you informed constantly. Regular updates on case progress, explanation of legal strategy, and preparation for depositions and trial keep you engaged and confident. Dan Benzion and our team speak English and Spanish, ensuring language is never a barrier to communication.
We commit to meeting every promise we make before accepting settlement offers. If we fall short on our commitments, you owe nothing. This guarantee demonstrates our confidence in our work and dedication to your recovery.
Certain Salt Lake City locations see regular motorcycle accidents due to traffic volume, road design, or driver behavior. Understanding these hotspots helps riders avoid accidents and helps us identify patterns in negligent conduct.
Interstate 15 through Salt Lake City, particularly near downtown interchanges and merges, experiences frequent motorcycle accidents. Lane changes at highway speeds, inadequate merge distances, and aggressive traffic create collision scenarios. We've handled dozens of I-15 motorcycle accidents involving multi-vehicle collisions and severe injuries.
The I-80/I-215 interchange near the Salt Lake City airport is notorious for complex traffic patterns and accident frequency. High-speed lane changes and inadequate visibility create motorcycle accident scenarios regularly. Defense contractors and business traffic add to congestion and accident risk.
Downtown intersections along Main Street, West Temple, and 400 South see regular motorcycle accidents due to left-turn violations and pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. Urban traffic patterns, distracted driving, and signal timing create accident-prone conditions. We've handled numerous downtown motorcycle accidents.
These arterial roads carry substantial motorcycle traffic and see frequent accidents at controlled intersections. Left-turn violations and distracted driving cause collisions regularly. The intersection of 700 East and 400 South is particularly dangerous.
Highland Drive through the Avenues neighborhood features tight curves, narrow lanes, and steep grades. Motorcyclists attempting these curves at speed sometimes lose control, though we also handle Highland Drive accidents caused by other drivers cutting curves or forcing motorcyclists off roadways.
Roads approaching canyon areas experience seasonal motorcycle traffic and accidents. Tourist drivers unfamiliar with roads, mountain weather conditions, and combined traffic create accident scenarios. We've handled motorcycle accidents on Highway 189, Highway 39, and roads approaching ski resorts.
Motorcycle accidents occur throughout Salt Lake City's neighborhoods at intersections along 1300 East, 1300 South, 900 South, and other arterial roads. Distracted drivers and left-turn violations cause collisions regularly in these areas.
Let BAM Personal Injury Lawyers recover the compensation you deserve. With over $100 million in recoveries, we know how to handle motorcycle accident claims.
BAM Personal Injury Lawyers represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Salt Lake County, including Salt Lake City proper, Murray, West Jordan, Sandy, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Draper, Bluffdale, and unincorporated areas. Our experience spans urban motorcycle accidents on downtown streets, suburban collisions on arterial roads, canyon accident scenarios near Park City and ski resorts, and interstate accidents on I-15, I-80, and I-215. Whether your accident occurred at busy intersections like 400 South and 700 East, on highways near the Salt Lake City airport, or on mountain roads approaching the Wasatch range, we provide experienced representation. We've handled motorcycle accidents across the entire region and maintain offices conveniently located in Murray, Utah.
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