On this page
Hurt in a motorcycle crash on Rural Road, University Drive, Mill Avenue or near ASU? Kent Law can take the fight to the insurance company while you heal. We focus on personal injury, and we know how insurers use rider bias to pay less. Our Phoenix office in Ahwatukee is about 12 miles from Tempe City Hall. Call (480) 359-KENT today. No fee unless we win.
Motorcycle crashes in Tempe by the numbers
In 2024, Tempe had 6,637 crashes. 29 were fatal crashes and 2,049 were injury crashes. 32 people were killed and 3,007 were injured, and 295 crashes were alcohol-related (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5, p. 13). Statewide that year, there were 3,036 motorcycle crashes. 219 motorcyclists were killed and 2,503 were injured, and Maricopa and Pima Counties together had 70.32% of the state's motorcycle fatalities (ADOT, Section 8 and Table 1-1). See how Tempe compares with other Valley cities in our Phoenix-area crash statistics.
Tempe traffic runs on busy arterials like Rural Road, McClintock Drive, Mill Avenue, University Drive, Broadway Road, Southern Avenue, Baseline Road and Apache Boulevard. I-10, the Loop 101, the Loop 202 and US 60 all cross or border the city. Freeway crashes are usually handled by Arizona DPS. Most of the crashes we handle happen on city streets and at intersections, including around campus and downtown Tempe.
What to do after a motorcycle accident in Tempe
- Call 911. Report the crash and any injuries. If you can move safely, get out of traffic.
- Get medical care the same day. Adrenaline can hide pain. Some injuries, including brain injuries and internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away. A same-day visit also links your injuries to the crash.
- Photograph everything. Get the scene, signals, the other vehicle and plate, your bike from every side, your helmet and gear, and your injuries.
- Get the other driver's information. Name, phone number, license, plate, insurance company and policy number.
- Talk to witnesses. Around ASU and downtown Tempe, witnesses are often students or visitors who leave quickly. Get names and phone numbers before they go.
- Look for cameras. Businesses, apartment buildings and light rail and streetcar stops may have video. Footage doesn't last forever.
- Get the report number. Tempe Police call it a "GO#." Arizona DPS usually handles freeway crashes.
- Keep your gear and bike as they are. Don't repair the bike or throw away your helmet, jacket, gloves or boots until we've documented them.
- Call us before any recorded statement. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT before you talk to any insurance adjuster on the record.
Common motorcycle crashes in Tempe
Left-turn crashes
A driver turns left across the rider's path at an intersection or into a driveway and says, "I didn't see the motorcycle." In 2024, left-turn crashes were 518 of 2,032 multi-unit motorcycle crashes (25.49%) and 56 of 144 fatal ones (38.89%), the largest share of fatal motorcycle crashes of any collision type (ADOT, Table 8-14). We dig into sight lines, signals, timing and what the driver was doing.
Rear-end and unsafe lane-change crashes
A driver doesn't stop in time on I-10 or US 60, or merges without checking a blind spot near campus. A car has bumpers and crumple zones. A rider has none.
Crashes while lane filtering
Arizona allows motorcycle lane filtering in limited situations (A.R.S. § 28-903): a two-wheeled motorcycle may pass stopped vehicles going the same direction on a road with at least two lanes in that direction and a speed limit of 45 mph or less, if the rider goes no faster than 15 mph and can do so safely. Even when filtering was allowed, insurers may still try to blame the rider. The details matter.
Crashes with trucks and large vehicles
Trucks have big blind spots and need more room to stop and turn. Freight and delivery trucks share Tempe freeways and city streets with riders. See our truck accident page.
Arizona rules that affect your claim
Helmets (A.R.S. § 28-964). Arizona generally requires motorcycle riders and passengers under 18 to wear a protective helmet. Adults are not required to. Not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim. The insurer may argue that a helmet would have made some of your injuries less serious. That argument is about the extent of certain injuries. It doesn't change who caused the crash.
Comparative fault (A.R.S. § 12-2505). If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your share of fault. In most cases, your claim is not wiped out. Insurers know this and often try to pin blame on riders. We push back with evidence. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.
Deadlines. Most Arizona injury lawsuits must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). If a public entity or public employee caused your crash, such as a city vehicle, you generally must file a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01). The lawsuit itself generally must be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). Call us early so we can protect your claim.
Uninsured and underinsured drivers (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). If the driver who hit you has no insurance or not enough, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help. Arizona insurers generally must offer UM and UIM coverage in writing, and the named insured can decline it. See uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
If you're in the hospital
The nearest state-designated Level I trauma centers to Tempe include Banner Desert Medical Center, at 1400 S. Dobson Road in Mesa, and Valleywise Health, at 2601 E. Roosevelt in Phoenix (Arizona Department of Health Services trauma center list). You don't have to leave your bed to talk to us. We can come to you at the hospital or at home, or talk by phone or video. If you hit your head, see our brain injury page.
How we handle Tempe motorcycle accident cases
We move from day one. We get the crash report, look for video before it's erased, document your bike and gear, talk to witnesses, and hire crash reconstructionists when a case needs them. We deal with the insurance company, so you don't have to take their calls.
Here's our track record. Kent Law recovers millions of dollars for injured clients every year, and we have handled thousands of injury cases. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Getting your Tempe crash report
Tempe Police investigate crashes on Tempe city streets. Most reports from November 1, 2021 on are on BuyCrash. You need the report number (GO#), the crash date and a credit card. DUI and deadly crash reports are not on BuyCrash. For those, ask Tempe Police Records through the city's records page, by email at PD_RecordsRequests@tempe.gov, or in person at 120 E. 5th Street, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Freeway crashes are usually handled by Arizona DPS. Once you hire us, we request the report for you. Tempe injury lawsuits are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Meeting with us
Our office is at 4001 E. Mountain Sky Ave., Ste. 105, Phoenix, AZ 85044, near I-10 and Chandler Boulevard, about 12 miles from Tempe City Hall. We usually meet at our office, but if you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.
For other injury cases, see our Tempe personal injury page. For motorcycle claims across the Valley, see our Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer page. We also serve Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa. See all the areas we serve.
Hurt in a Tempe motorcycle crash? Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT. No fee unless we win.
Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an office in Tempe?
No. We serve Tempe riders from our Phoenix office in Ahwatukee at 4001 E. Mountain Sky Ave., Ste. 105, Phoenix, AZ 85044, about 12 miles from Tempe City Hall. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Tempe?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt and get medical care the same day, even if you feel okay. Photograph the scene, the other vehicle, your bike, your helmet and gear, and your injuries. Get witness names and phone numbers. Ask the Tempe Police officer or DPS trooper for the report number (GO#). Keep your gear and bike as they are until we document them. Then call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company.
How do I get a Tempe police crash report?
Most Tempe Police crash reports from November 1, 2021 on are online at BuyCrash. You need the report number (GO#), the crash date and a credit card. DUI and deadly crash reports are not on BuyCrash. For those, ask Tempe Police Records. Freeway crashes are usually handled by Arizona DPS. Once you hire us, we request the report for you.
Can I still bring a claim if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes. Arizona does not require adult riders to wear a helmet. Riders and passengers under 18 must wear one (A.R.S. § 28-964). Not wearing a helmet does not bar your claim. The insurance company may argue that a helmet would have made some of your injuries less serious. That argument is about the extent of certain injuries. It doesn't change who caused the crash.
What if the insurance company says I was partly at fault?
Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your share of the fault, but in most cases your claim is not wiped out (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Insurers may claim a rider was speeding, filtering, or riding unsafely to shift blame. We answer those claims with evidence.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim?
Most Arizona injury lawsuits must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). If a city vehicle or another public employee on the job caused your crash, you generally must file a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01) and file the lawsuit within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). Call us early so we can protect your claim.
What does it cost to hire Kent Law?
We work on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. We explain the written fee agreement before you sign.
Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.