Bike Accident Lawyers

Accident Laws Pertaining to Bicycles and the Role of Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Arizona’s legislative structure deems bicycles as vehicles, thus assigning cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. This legal perspective lays a solid foundation for holding motorists accountable when their negligent actions cause bicycle accidents.

As road users, cyclists are obligated to abide by all traffic laws, including adherence to traffic signals, stopping at stop signs, and yielding the right-of-way when entering a roadway. Cyclists are also mandated to utilize bike lanes where available, but they may veer out of the lane under specific circumstances such as when preparing for a left turn, overtaking another bicycle, or avoiding debris or hazards.

Arizona law also dictates that cyclists should ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. However, the law acknowledges exceptions where road conditions might make it unsafe to adhere strictly to this rule. In situations like these, the input of a bicycle accident attorney can be invaluable in interpreting the law and determining the most beneficial course of action.

The Role of a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Navigating Laws

Motorists, for their part, are legally required to maintain a “safe distance” when overtaking cyclists – often interpreted as a minimum of three feet. They are also expected to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle on the roadway and must not overtake a bicycle if it cannot be done safely. If a motorist is found to have disregarded these legal requirements leading to an accident, they may be held legally accountable for any resulting injuries or damages.

In the aftermath of a bicycle accident, a thorough understanding of these laws is crucial in establishing liability and determining the appropriate legal recourse. It is imperative to contact a bicycle accident attorney who can navigate these laws and use them to negotiate your rightful compensation.

In addition, Arizona adheres to a “pure comparative negligence” system, which allows cyclists to recover damages even if they are partially at fault for an accident. However, the damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. This aspect of the law underscores the importance of consulting with a skilled bicycle accident attorney. They can effectively counter any attempts by defense attorneys to shift a larger portion of blame onto the cyclist, ensuring the most accurate and fair distribution of liability.

Consequences of Bicycle Accidents: A Deeper Look at Common Injuries

The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be profound and life-altering. Given that cyclists are largely exposed with minimal physical protection against larger, more robust vehicles on the roads, the consequences of such accidents are often severe. Various types of injuries can arise from these unfortunate incidents, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Among the gravest injuries a cyclist can endure, TBIs range from mild concussions to debilitating brain damage. These injuries can lead to long-lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional effects. The risk intensifies if the cyclist isn’t wearing a helmet, highlighting the necessity of this crucial safety gear.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: These can lead to partial or complete paralysis, altering the course of the victim’s life entirely. Such injuries demand ongoing medical care and significant lifestyle adaptations.
• Broken Bones: The force from collisions can result in fractures. Cyclists commonly break arms, legs, collarbones, and ribs due to instinctive attempts to break a fall or due to the impact with a vehicle or the ground.
• Lacerations and Abrasions: Cuts and scrapes caused by sharp debris and rough road surfaces can lead to substantial blood loss and permanent scarring.
• Road Rash: This painful skin abrasion occurs when a cyclist skids across the pavement. Though it might seem minor, road rash can lead to severe infections if not treated correctly.
• Facial and Dental Injuries: Cyclists can face broken or lost teeth and other serious facial injuries if they land face-first onto the pavement.
• Internal Injuries: The impact can cause internal bleeding or damage vital organs, posing life-threatening risks if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
• Psychological Trauma: Besides physical injuries, victims often suffer from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety after the accident.

Each of these injuries demands comprehensive medical attention, from immediate emergency response and possible surgery to prolonged rehabilitation and therapy. The financial burden of medical expenses and lost income, coupled with the intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and decreased quality of life, can be overwhelming for victims.

This is where the role of bicycle accident attorneys becomes critical. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help navigate these complex challenges, allowing victims to focus on healing while the attorney fights to secure the maximum compensation they need to cover their current and future medical costs. By seeking the assistance of bicycle accident attorneys, victims can ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive the justice they deserve following such traumatic experiences.

Proving Liability in Bicycle Accidents

Determining liability in a bicycle accident involves proving negligence. This means showing that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, breached that duty, and caused the plaintiff’s injuries. In many bicycle accident cases, the driver of the motor vehicle is found at fault.

However, other parties may also bear responsibility. For example, if a bike malfunction caused the accident, the manufacturer might be liable. If a poorly maintained road led to the crash, the government entity responsible for road upkeep could be at fault.

A skilled bicycle accident lawyer can help identify all potentially liable parties and build a strong case for compensation. They will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and possibly consult with accident reconstruction experts to prove negligence.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

There are numerous causes of bicycle accidents. Some of the most common include:

• Distracted driving: If a motorist is texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road, they may fail to see a cyclist.
• Dooring: This occurs when a parked car’s door is suddenly opened into a cyclist’s path, leaving them no time to avoid a collision.
• Right and left cross: These happen when a car pulls out from a side street, parking lot, or driveway right in front of a cyclist, or when a car tries to make a left turn across the path of a cyclist.
• Over-speeding: Speeding drivers have less time to react to cyclists and are more likely to cause accidents.
• Drunk driving: Alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Understanding the common causes of bicycle accidents can help in legal proceedings as it can establish the negligence of the party at fault.