Arizona is a haven for cyclists with its dry weather, clear skies, and variations in the natural terrain. However, bicycles and motor vehicles do not mix, as Arizona has become the 5th most dangerous state for cyclists.
The team of legal professionals at The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer wants to educate the cyclists in Surprise, Arizona, on bicycle accident laws and the common causes of most accidents, as well as provide legal services as needed. A skilled Surprise bicycle accident attorney at the The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer is here to consult with you on your personal injury case. Call 623-847-7117 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
The common causes of bicycle accidents can be the fault of either the driver or the cyclist. The list below identifies the most common causes of accidents between a vehicle and a bicycle.
Like the cause of many pedestrian accidents, failure to yield is also common in bicycle accidents. The drivers turning right or left must yield to a cyclist continuing straight.
The actions under this category include speeding, running a red light or a stop sign, merging incorrectly, or disregarding the designated bike lanes.
In Arizona, cyclists are required to follow all traffic laws. This includes riding with the flow of traffic. Often, cyclists take the pedestrian approach and ride against the flow for a view of oncoming cars. This maneuver is illegal and dangerous.
Most accidents involving a vehicle and a bicycle happen at intersections. A cyclist needs to use the lane furthest to the right and heading straight when crossing an intersection, but not in a designated right-turn lane.
The inattentive behaviors of drivers place cyclists at the most risk. The risk for the cyclist is injury due to the smaller and less protected bicycle. Impaired or inattentive riding behavior also applies to a cyclist. Drivers and cyclists have been in traffic while texting, talking on the phone, or being under the influence of something.
Regardless of fault or cause, the cyclist will face the risk of injury.
In Arizona, all traffic laws apply to cyclists and motorists. As for cyclists, it is state law for all cyclists under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. However, there is no mandatory helmet law statewide for adults. In Surprise, wearing a helmet is a recommended safety tip but, as of this writing, no ordinance requires a helmet.
Below is a list of laws a cyclist needs to be aware of while in traffic:
A cyclist must also know that Arizona is a pure comparative fault state. This means that the law requires that all conditions of an accident are viewed to assess responsibility to the driver and the cyclist. Regardless of injury, if a cyclist is found partially responsible for an accident by not obeying the bicycle laws, then the cyclist’s ability to recover damages will be reduced by the percentage of the assessed responsibility. The best way to ensure a favorable outcome after a bike accident is to hire an experienced Surprise bicycle accident attorney.
When a cyclist sustains injuries from an accident, the personal injury laws of Arizona apply. Under the statute of limitations, a cyclist must file a personal injury claim within 2 years from the date of the accident.
If a claim is against a public employee, then a claim must be filed within 180 days, or 6 months, from the date of the accident. It’s crucial to consult with a Surprise bicycle accident lawyer as quickly as possible so you can ensure that you will be awarded damages for your injuries.
A personal injury claim resulting from a bicycle accident will involve gathering, evaluating, and assessing the evidence to value the claim. The firm’s founding attorney, John Phebus, is a past president of the West Maricopa County Bar Association and currently serves as the president of the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Arizona.
This law firm’s expertise, experience, and resources will be brought to every case. Our Surprise personal injury lawyers’ goals are always to aggressively represent and defend our clients’ rights and seek the deserved damage awards.
If you or a family member had the unfortunate experience of a bicycle accident in Surprise, please call The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer today at 623-847-7117 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. A Surprise bicycle accident lawyer is on standby to help and guide you through your case.
To choose the right personal injury lawyer, ensure they specialize in cases like yours and have a strong track record of successful settlements or verdicts. Review testimonials to assess client satisfaction. Look for clear communication, transparency in handling cases, and a no-win, no-fee commitment. Consider their availability to handle your case personally and their willingness to explain legal options during a free initial consultation.
If you have been injured, hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the best decisions that you can make for your future. There are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to hire an attorney as opposed to handling the case without a lawyer. First, some personal injury cases involve complex legal concepts that may be difficult for you to understand if you don’t have a legal background.
Personal injury attorneys can also ensure that you accurately calculate the value of your claim. If you have sustained a serious injury that will continue to affect your life in the future, it can be very difficult to calculate how much you will need to cover medical expenses and lost wages in the future. But if you don’t calculate this accurately, you may end up accepting a settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. Don’t make this mistake – let an attorney analyze your case and help you determine the true value of your claim.
Personal injury lawyers can also handle the negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters are notorious for their attempts to get victims to accept unfair settlements or admit fault for the accident that caused their injuries. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster could impact the rest of your case, which is why it’s so important to let an attorney speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
Having an attorney by your side is crucial if your case ends up going to trial. Most personal injury cases can be settled outside of the courtroom, but this is never guaranteed. You will need an attorney who can handle your case regardless of where it ends up. For these reasons – and so many more – it is crucial that you work with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney.
If you have been injured, hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the best decisions that you can make for your future. There are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to hire an attorney as opposed to handling the case without a lawyer. First, some personal injury cases involve complex legal concepts that may be difficult for you to understand if you don’t have a legal background.
Personal injury attorneys can also ensure that you accurately calculate the value of your claim. If you have sustained a serious injury that will continue to affect your life in the future, it can be very difficult to calculate how much you will need to cover medical expenses and lost wages in the future. But if you don’t calculate this accurately, you may end up accepting a settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. Don’t make this mistake – let an attorney analyze your case and help you determine the true value of your claim.
Personal injury lawyers can also handle the negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters are notorious for their attempts to get victims to accept unfair settlements or admit fault for the accident that caused their injuries. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster could impact the rest of your case, which is why it’s so important to let an attorney speak to the insurance company on your behalf.
Having an attorney by your side is crucial if your case ends up going to trial. Most personal injury cases can be settled outside of the courtroom, but this is never guaranteed. You will need an attorney who can handle your case regardless of where it ends up. For these reasons – and so many more – it is crucial that you work with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney.
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