Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Despite all the benefits of traveling by bicycle, the roadways of Arizona aren’t always kind to cyclists. In 2022 alone, there were 1,159 bicycle accidents across the state, including 47 fatal crashes.

Should you ever find yourself injured in a bike accident, know that you can always call Gerber Injury Law. Our family-oriented firm has extensive trial and negotiation experience and we’ve already recovered over $100 million for our clients. Best of all, we treat you like family, so you’re in good hands during the healing and legal process.

We’ve put together this guide to help you understand the basics of a bicycle accident claim and bicycle accidents in The Grand Canyon State. If you’ve been injured and are wondering whether it would be helpful to talk to a bicycle accident attorney about your specific situation, we have you covered, as well. Contact us for a free consultation to review your potential case with no risk and no cost.

What Are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Arizona?

In Glenville, Litchfield Park, Avondale, and across the state, biking accidents happen for different reasons, and some of them might surprise you:

Road Design

Narrow roadways, poor signage, potholes, and other design and maintenance issues can spell big trouble for bicyclists. It’s even worse when drivers don’t obey the law. For example, motorists in Arizona must leave at least three feet between a bicycle on the road and their own car. Too many drivers ignore this rule when passing, and on narrow roads, this can be fatal for bicyclists.

If a government entity fails to maintain or design a roadway correctly and you’re injured as a result, you may have a claim against that agency. You might also have a claim against any contractors the government hired to build, design, or maintain the road. The trouble is that Arizona government entities enjoy protection from lawsuits, making it hard to pursue a claim. Working with a bicycle accident lawyer can help you find all liable parties and explore all options for pursuing compensation.

Driver Error

One of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Arizona is motorists. Drivers make many errors on the road that can lead to collisions. Here are just a few:

• Drivers being on the road when they’re distracted, under the influence, or so tired that their response times are compromised
• Motorists refusing to treat bicycles like another vehicle on the road, which is what Arizona law requires them to do
• Motorists not obeying right-of-way rules at intersections.
• Speeding
• Drivers who fail to check blind spots or use their mirrors
• Motorists leaving their car door open in an area where bicyclists may be riding
• Drivers entering bike lanes or trying to get into the same lane as a bicyclist

Cyclist Mistakes

Sometimes, bicyclists make mistakes that cause a crash. When this happens, some assume they can’t make a claim. This isn’t true! It’s still important to contact Gerber Injury Law for a free consultation.

In Arizona, the principle of comparative fault applies. This means that if a driver and bicyclist were both found to be partly at fault for an accident that injured the cyclist, the bicyclist may still be eligible for compensation.

Let’s say a bike rider is in an accident with a car and the cyclist is found to be 20% at fault. If they are awarded $100,000, they would be given $80,000 to account for their role in the accident.

Animals

Dog owners who let their pets run loose to chase after cyclists can easily cause a collision. A bicyclist may swerve to avoid the animal and end up in a crash. A dog might also bite the cyclist and cause them to fall from their bike.

What Injuries Typically Occur in Bicycle Accidents?

While seat belts and airbags protect car occupants, bicyclists safety equipment is limited. As such, cyclists are often thrown from their bikes in an accident and can sustain serious injuries. These can include:

• Head injuries. Bicycle helmets are not required by law in Arizona, but they can greatly reduce the risk of head trauma. Even with helmets, any bike accident can still cause head trauma if a cyclist hits their head after falling from their bicycle.
• Broken bones. When cyclists fall, they usually instinctively put out their hands to try to stop the fall, which can lead to fractures in the wrist and arms. A bicyclist struck by a car can sustain broken bones in their hip area and legs as well.
• Facial injuries. Falling from a bike onto a road can cause broken teeth, scarring on the face, and even eye injuries that can affect your vision.
• Abrasion. Road burns and other abrasions, cuts, and other skin injuries can take a surprisingly long time to heal. Some require surgery because they result in permanent scarring, especially if you’ve faced complications such as infection.
• Soft tissue injuries. One of the most common of these is whiplash, which is an injury that can happen to the neck when your head snaps forward and backward during a collision.
• Internal injuries. If a bicyclist is struck by a car, the force of impact can cause injuries to the internal organs, which can be life-threatening.
• Spinal cord injuries. Bones in the spine can break, or the spine can be harmed by swelling or bleeding, causing paralysis. Cyclists can also suffer herniated discs in an accident, which can cause life-long, debilitating pain and loss of movement.

What Damages Could I Be Entitled To?

In Arizona, if someone’s negligence caused your bicycle accident and injuries, you may have a claim and may be able to seek compensation for the reasonable costs and losses associated with your injuries. These can include:

• Medical expenses related to your injuries. All reasonable, related expenses, including emergency care, surgery, medicine, and even skin graft surgery for your scars, may be covered. In addition, you can seek compensation for the likely future costs of your long-term or permanent injury.
• Lost income. In most cases, a bicycle accident is serious enough that you’ll need to miss time at work. Your bicycle accident lawyer can seek compensation to cover your lost income and any future wages or earning potential you’re likely to miss because of your injuries.
• Pain and suffering. Your bicycle accident lawyer will work to show the ways your accident has changed your quality of life and has caused you pain. Getting this compensation can help you heal and move toward the future.
• Property damage. You may need to replace your bicycle, cell phone, and any other property damaged in the accident. Getting compensation for these losses can make a big difference to you financially.
• Additional losses. After a bicycle accident, you may find yourself with unexpected expenses. You might need help at home or may need to pay legal fees to pursue your claim. An experienced bicycle accident attorney will seek to have these costs covered, too, so all of them don’t come from your savings.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a bicycle accident caused by someone’s recklessness, you may also be able to file a wrongful death claim and seek compensation to cover funeral costs, final medical bills, and more. No amount of money can bring your loved one back, but seeking compensation can help you pursue justice and can help you take care of the bills so you can work on rebuilding your life after a devastating loss.

When the team at Gerber Injury Law speaks with bicycle accident survivors and their families, we often hear worries about the future. Many people don’t know how they will pay for all the expenses they’re suddenly faced with. Some don’t know whether they qualify for compensation at all. It’s also common for our clients to underestimate how much a serious injury can cost.

At Gerber Injury Law, it’s our job to remove some of the burden. We explain to our clients, clearly and honestly, how much compensation they can receive and whether their case is strong enough for a legal claim. Since every case is different, we invite you to reach out for a free consultation. It’s a good way to learn how much your potential case could be worth.

How Is Fault Determined?

Unfortunately, after a bicycle accident, it’s not uncommon for the at-fault driver or other liable party to blame the cyclist. In fact, some cyclists start getting phone calls and letters from insurance companies representing at-fault parties almost right away. If this happens to you, remember that the insurance companies and attorneys representing other parties in the situation are looking out for their best interests — not yours. They’re trying to pay you less to save their insurance company or clients money.

Before you sign anything, talk to anyone about the accident, or make any decisions about what to do next, get some clarity about how you can protect your rights. Contact Gerber Injury Law to talk to a bicycle accident attorney, especially if you’re being blamed for an accident you didn’t cause.

There’s no point in getting involved in a debate with the other parties in your accident. Let the experienced team at Gerber Injury Law talk to insurers and other attorneys for you so the insurance company employees and lawyers can’t use your own words against you. Even if you’re being blamed for causing a crash, our team can work to find out what really happened.

Gerber Injury Law can work with expert witnesses, investigators, and other professionals to get to the bottom of your accident. We can interview witnesses and subpoena records to get more information so we can discover whether you have a right to compensation and so we can fight back if you’re accused of causing an accident you didn’t cause.

Why Should I Turn to Gerber Injury Law?

Gerber Injury Law is a family-oriented law firm where we treat you like family. In the aftermath of a car accident, you deserve a team that cares about your health and your future, and that’s what you’ll find with Gerber Injury Law. We’re there for you during some of life’s most challenging times.

In fact, our kindness and support are something our clients mention to us all the time. They appreciate the way we support them and show compassion during a difficult time. Our clients tell us this makes a huge difference for them as they navigate life after a serious accident. Our approach is one reason why clients recommend us to their friends and family.

At the same time, don’t underestimate our tough side. We always treat you with respect and care, but we’re also aggressive in pursuing your claim. It’s why we have a 99% success rate and have recovered over $100 million for clients. Insurance companies and attorneys know we’re willing to negotiate but also able and willing to take your case to court. Unlike other firms, we don’t accept lowball offers just because we want to avoid a trial. We do what is best for you and work hard to seek fair compensation.

At Gerber Injury Law, we’ve chosen to keep our law firm small, so you never feel lost in the fray. While we’re busy, our smaller size and our focus exclusively on personal injury cases means we can create a personalized legal strategy for your case and can offer you lots of personalized attention. We’re never too busy for you and we’re there for you every step of the way.

Should you ever find yourself in a bicycle accident in Maryvale, Peoria, Sun City, or any community in Arizona, contact attorney Ken Gerber and the rest of the Gerber Injury Law team to talk to a personal injury attorney you can trust.

We’re very proud of our team. Attorney Ken Gerber graduated cum laude and went on to handle more jury trials as a prosecuting attorney than any of his peers. Today, he is considered a top trial lawyer in Phoenix and in the surrounding communities. He is backed by a caring, experienced team at Gerber Injury Law.

You might want to take a look at our results to see what we have been able to do for our clients. Keep in mind that every case is different, though. So, let’s talk about what might be possible in your case and review what a legal strategy could look like for you.

Gerber Injury Law is proud to serve Avondale, Scottsdale, Mesa, Surprise, and communities across Arizona. Contact us today to discuss your bicycle accident during a free consultation.