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 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 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 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.
