CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH ARIZONA BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS FOR FREE
Bicycling has become increasingly popular over the years, for it is not only a fun outdoor activity, but also a means of transportation to and from work and other destinations for many people. With the increase in bicycle traffic on the roads comes the increased risk of serious and possibly fatal accidents occurring between bicyclists and motorists or pedestrians. That’s why it’s important to call Arizona bicycle accident lawyers for more information.
Suffering any sort of injury from an accident can have lasting consequences, both financial and emotional, and this can take a heavy toll on you and your family. If you believe that your bicycle accident was caused by the negligence of someone else, you should speak with an Arizona personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to have your case evaluated. If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle accident, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a 100% free consultation with one of our bicycle accident lawyers.
BICYCLE ACCIDENT STATISTICS
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 79% of bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas in 2018, while 21% occurred in rural areas. Most bicycle accidents occur from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and from Midnight to 3 a.m. Surprisingly, most often the area where an accident occurs is not at an intersection: Collisions away from intersections make up 60% of all accidents, while collisions at intersections make up just 29% of all accidents. Fatalities resulting from bicycle accidents are on the rise; the NHTSA also published data showing that 840 cyclists were killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2019 in the U.S.
Bike accidents are fairly common in the state of Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation found that in 2020, 90% of bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas, and three out of four of those accidents occurred during daylight hours. In 2020, there were 830 total bicycle accidents in Arizona; of these accidents, 33 were fatal and 812 resulted in injuries.
COMMON CAUSES OF BICYCLE ACCIDENTS
The inattention of other motorists on the road is the primary cause for most bicycle accidents. Environmental factors also come into play; there may not be appropriate signs indicating which area is considered the “bike lane” or signs warning drivers to watch for bicyclists. There may also be dangerous road conditions which increase the risk of injury-causing accidents.
Despite these environmental considerations, other motorists’ actions are still the main cause of most bicycle accidents, and these actions include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Distracted driving
- Dooring, meaning the intentional act of hitting a cyclist with a car door
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Speeding
- Failure to signal while turning or changing lanes
- Entering the road immediately in front of a cyclist
If you believe your bicycle accident was caused by a driver’s negligent conduct, you should speak with an Arizona injury attorney at a bicycle accident law firm near you to have your case evaluated. In addition to asking you about all of the circumstances leading up to your accident, the lawyer will also want to know details about your injuries.
TYPES OF INJURIES FROM BICYCLE ACCIDENTS
Some common injuries stemming from a bicycle accident range from mild to severe. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be out of work for days or weeks while you recover. The most common types of injuries suffered from a bicycle accident are:
- Road rash
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Concussions
- Neurological damage
- Wrongful death
If you suffer any of these injuries or others as a result of a bicycle accident that occurred in Arizona, remember to document every examination and treatment you receive and give that information to your bicycle accident lawyer. The severity of your injuries can depend on a variety of outside factors, but there are some factors that are in your control. For example, always remember to wear a bicycle helmet while out on the road to decrease your risk of developing a head injury or neurological damage in the event that an unavoidable accident occurs.
CASE RESULTS
WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT
What you do in the days and weeks after an accident is crucial to the success of your claim. Understanding what you need to do after an accident will ensure that your needs are taken care of and that you can receive the maximum compensation that you are entitled to. Be sure to take the following actions as soon as possible after a bicycle accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, you should be evaluated, for you may have latent injuries that will not be apparent until a doctor examines you. Be sure to ask your doctor for any documentation regarding the extent of your injuries, as this information will be useful to your bicycle accident attorney later as they prepare your claim.
Call the Police
Call the police immediately after the accident; if you or others are seriously injured, call emergency medical services as well. An officer will investigate the scene of the accident and take witness statements; afterward, the officer will file a police report. Be sure to request a copy of the report, and give the report to your bicycle accident attorney as soon as it is available.
Collect Insurance Information and Witness Statements
Collect the contact and insurance information of the driver or drivers involved in the accident; getting a witness’ contact information is vital, as you may need to contact them later to provide more information about what they saw, and doing so at the scene will save you the hassle of trying to track down those involved later on. Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information as well; though the police will have taken witness statements for their report, take your own witness statements as well if you can. You will be asked to give all of this information to your bicycle accident lawyer, as they can use these witness statements to investigate and evaluate your claim.
Document the Scene
Take photographs of the accident site and the surrounding area; include road conditions and any traffic signals, such as lights or stop signs, nearby. Take photos of your injuries, as well as the damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle involved. You may need to give these photos to your bicycle accident attorney, as they can be used as evidence in support of your claim.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An Arizona bicycle accident lawyer will assist you in the process of filing your claim. Your lawyer will gather all the evidence, such as your photos and medical documents, as well as witness statements and the police report, to help prove that the other party was responsible for the accident.
As with all personal injury cases, time is of the essence, for there are time constraints, such as statutes of limitations, involved in civil cases that determine how long you will have to file your claim. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years; this means that you would have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
If you attempt to file your claim beyond that two-year limit, your claim is barred. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be able to help to determine when you will need to file, and whether you are subject to any of the exceptions that exist to “toll” or delay the statute of limitations.
WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER FOR YOUR BICYCLE ACCIDENT
You may wonder about what exactly you can recover for your injuries following a bicycle accident. The severity of the injury and recovery time directly affect the extent of your cost of recovery in a personal injury action. If your injury left you unable to work or perform daily tasks, or if you require ongoing medical care and extensive rehabilitative therapy, you may be able to recover the costs in the form of compensatory damages, which include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the actual, monetary costs of your injury; these types of damages include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and other unanticipated costs of your injury such as transportation needs. Non-economic damages cover the mental and emotional toll the injury has taken on your life and are recovered in the form of compensation for pain and suffering. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can assist you in recovering the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
How Zinda Law Group Can Help You
Injuries stemming from bicycle accidents can take not only a mental and physical toll on you, but also a financial toll on you and your family, so it is important to get as much help and support as you can during this difficult time. Our bicycle injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group can assist you with recovering the costs associated with you or your loved one’s injury and recovery. Our experienced bicycle injury lawyers will guide you through the often complex legal system to help file your claim and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
We will take care of the legal work so you can focus on yourself and your family during this time of recovery. If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees; this is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. If you or a loved one has suffered from an injury after a bicycle accident, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
