In Mesa, bicycle accident lawyers are kept busy all year-round due to our glorious weather. Since the climate is so warm and welcoming, bicyclists and motorcyclists flock to our roads every single day, especially in suburban built-up areas. Given that most of the Valley of the Sun is filled with vehicles around the clock, bicycle and motorcycle accidents are a sad, yet typical, occurrence, especially if they result in life-altering injuries or a fatality. If you have been involved in a serious bike accident due to a careless car, truck, or bus operator, professional legal representation from the reputable personal injury attorneys at Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC can lend a hand through the long, complicated legal process.
Contact us online or by phone at (480) 833-8800 to schedule a free consultation with a caring attorney. We’ve served our community since 1961 and are ready to apply our decades of knowledge to your case. What Are My Rights as a Bicyclist in Arizona?
Like most states, Arizona gives bicyclists many of the same rights and responsibilities as other motor vehicle drivers. This means that vehicle drivers owe bicyclists the same duty of care they owe other drivers. Bicyclists have the right of way in Arizona, meaning that they can ride in a lane as long as they maintain a speed that doesn’t interrupt the flow of traffic. Cars must give the bicyclist ample space to avoid tailgating.
However, bicyclists are still required to follow the same rules of the road and use caution when changing lanes. Bicyclists must also use proper hand signals to let other drivers know what they’re about to do, whether they’re slowing down or about to make a turn.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Though bicycle accidents can be caused by other bicyclists and even pedestrians, most often it’s a motor vehicle driver who is involved and causes the collision. In 2018 alone, 857 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes. When auto accidents occur and involve both vehicle drivers and bicyclists, it’s most often the bicyclist who suffers injuries. Because they lack the protection that drivers and passengers of vehicles have, they’re more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash.
Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Driving under the influence: Driving while intoxicated impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and react to road hazards quickly. Drunk drivers may be less likely to see a bicyclist in the bike lane and could hit them when changing lanes or making turns.
- Distracted driving: When drivers are texting, talking on their phones or otherwise not paying attention to the road, they may not notice a bicyclist riding across the street or changing lanes in front of them.
- Failing to yield right of way: Cars often hit bicyclists when they fail to yield to their right of way to allow them to change lanes or make turns. This is a direct violation of Arizona’s bicycle laws and is considered negligence.
- Dooring: Dooring is a term used when cars parked in the bike lane open the driver door, creating an obstacle for oncoming bicyclists.
- Cutting off a bicyclist’s path: Many drivers cause accidents when they block the path of a bicyclist. This can occur when vehicles are turning into parking lots, backing out of a driveway, or entering traffic directly in front of a bicyclist.
Common injuries bicyclists suffer from after an accident include bone fractures, head injuries, and spinal injuries. If the injuries are serious enough, bicyclists can be permanently paralyzed or suffer traumatic brain injuries, both of which require extensive medical treatment and sometimes lifelong care. These costs can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars that can put individuals and families in a lot of debt for years to come.
Damages Our Team Can Recover
If you have ever sustained injuries due to a serious motorcycle or bike accident, you will know the symptoms associated with head, joint, and spinal cord injuries can take many months and perhaps even years to fully heal. It is because of these physical and psychological hardships that our Mesa bicycle accident lawyers look to represent riders who have been injured through no fault of their own. Medical bills can be exceedingly costly, particularly if you require frequent hospital visits and/or continual physical care, and our experienced attorneys can help you to discern whether you have a worthwhile claim to pursue.
Because bike riding is such a popular recreational activity in the Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as across the rest of Arizona State, many riders are unfortunately injured or killed in accidents every year. Our firm offers full legal support if the crash, collision, or traffic accident in which you have been involved has resulted in limited physical mobility or negatively impacted your career. Remember, safety is important, and you should take the necessary steps to ride safely.
Damages we’ve recovered for bicycle accident victims include:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills and costs of medication
- Loss of wages and reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Our talented Mesa bicycle accident and personal injury lawyers have helped residents living all over Mesa. If you are a bicyclist or motorcyclist who has been involved in an accident resulting in serious injuries, we can assist you today. We’re a family-owned firm that has been passed down from generation to generation, and we strive to treat each of our clients with the respect and care we’d give to our own family members. Allow us to care for you and your case during this difficult time.
