Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Arizona
Rasmussen Injury Law: Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorneys
The Rasmussen Injury Law Commitment
Compassion. At Rasmussen Injury Law, we understand that a bicycle accident can profoundly impact your life. Recovering from an accident often involves juggling multiple challenges simultaneously, and we’re here to ease that burden and guide you toward a smoother path to recovery.
Commitment. Unlike high-volume firms that may overlook crucial details, we thoroughly examine every aspect of your case to ensure no opportunity for compensation is missed. Our careful approach is designed to help you secure the full compensation you deserve.
Experience. With over 30 years of handling complex bicycle accident claims, Rasmussen knows what it takes to navigate the legal process successfully. We provide clear, honest communication throughout your bicycle accident case, explaining your legal options, potential obstacles, and each step along the way. Our goal is to ensure you fully understand your case while we work to achieve justice for your injury.
Our Practice Areas
Why You Need an Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured while riding a bicycle, our experienced Arizona bike accident lawyer is ready to help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. With law firm offices in Glendale, Tucson, and Mesa, our personal injury lawyers are here to help.Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes rarely occur out of the blue. These accidents are often the result of driver errors or systemic issues with infrastructure and maintenance. Even when following all bicycle safety protocols, a cyclist can be struck, doored, or ignored by others on the road.
The following factors commonly lead to bike accidents:
Negligent Driving
Negligence is a legal term that refers to falling short of the care that an ordinary person would take in similar circumstances. Examples of distracted driving include any activity that causes a driver to look away from the road. Texting, reading a map, tending to passengers in the backseat, and eating or drinking all fall under distracted driving. These behaviors can cause a driver to overlook a cyclist in the road, drift into bike lanes, or run red lights.
Failure to Yield
Examples of failure to yield include drivers making left turns in front of oncoming cyclists, trapping them beneath the vehicle, or motorists pulling out of driveways or parking lots directly into a cyclist’s path. The most frequent incidents happen when drivers merge or change lanes without first checking for cyclists, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Dangerous Road Conditions
Cyclists are far more vulnerable to road hazards than motorists. A defect that poses little risk to a car can be extremely dangerous for someone on a bicycle. Inadequate infrastructure and poor maintenance directly endanger cyclists, often resulting in crashes, falls, and serious injuries.
Deteriorating road conditions greatly heighten the likelihood of bicycle accidents.
Common dangers include:
- Damaged, blocked, or poorly marked bike lanes require cyclists to navigate around potholes, parked cars, or other dangers that occupy the bike lane. This pushes them into the path of vehicular traffic areas that aren’t meant for bicycles.
- Debris can cause riders to suffer crashes, flat tires, or other bike malfunctions, all of which put them at risk of a crash.
- Potholes, cracks, and uneven pavement can cause cyclists to suffer a fall or to fail to maintain control of their bikes.
In accidents caused by unsafe road conditions, responsibility may fall on construction property owners, companies, or local government entities. If hazardous road conditions caused you or someone you love to be injured in a bicycle accident, speak to an Arizona bicycle accident attorney to learn about your legal rights.
Faulty Components
Faulty bicycle parts can lead to dangerous accidents and serious injuries. These defects can be due to errors during the manufacturing process, improper assembly, or design flaws. Bike frames, brakes, forks, cranksets, and wheels can fail, putting cyclists at risk. Cracked frames, faulty brakes, broken crank arms, and defective tires or tubes can all cause a rider to lose control and crash. Contact an Arizona product liability attorney today to explore your legal options.
Dooring
A dooring accident occurs when a person in a parked vehicle opens their car door into the path of an oncoming bicycle rider. This type of bicycle accident is especially common in urban areas where street parking is located next to bike lanes. When a driver opens their door without first checking for oncoming cyclists, oncoming cyclists have little time to react, which can lead to serious bike injuries or collisions. TBIs, broken bones, and spinal injuries are typical results of a dooring collision.
Driver behavior, faulty equipment, and poorly designed or maintained infrastructure all pose serious risks to bicycle riders, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness, safer cycling infrastructure, and stronger legal protections for cyclists involved in accidents.
If you’ve suffered injuries in a bicycle accident like the ones described above, reach out to Rasmussen Injury Law at (480) 637-5757 for a complimentary consultation.
Arizona Bicycle Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
In Arizona, who is liable for my medical bills after a bike accident?
Arizona adheres to comparative negligence law, meaning a cyclist can still obtain compensation even if they are partially responsible for the accident. However, the compensation is lowered in proportion to their degree of fault. Other responsible parties may include:
- Motorists
- Bicycle or parts manufacturers
- Other cyclists
- Pedestrians
- Government entities
- Property owners
At Rasmussen Injury Law, our lawyers make it our priority to understand the complexities of these laws so we can expertly guide you through the legal process as we pursue compensation on your behalf.
If you believe your injuries were caused in part by another party, don’t wait to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer about your options.
Is there a time limit on filing a bicycle accident claim?
In Arizona, you generally have two (2) years from the date of your accident to file a claim. There may be exceptions to this rule if the injury only becomes apparent after the initial incident or if your claim is being filed against a government entity. Discussing your case with a bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible will ensure you get the help you need to navigate the claims process.
What steps should I take after being involved in a bicycle accident?
- Ensure your own safety first. Move away from road traffic if you are able.
- Call 911 and wait until help arrives at the scene of the accident.
- Seek medical attention. Even if injuries are not immediately apparent, secure a medical evaluation as soon as possible, as some injuries don’t present with symptoms right away.
- Document your accident. Collect any witness accounts. Take photos of the accident scene. Save any damaged bike parts.
- Contact a bicycle accident attorney so they can discuss your options and help you navigate your case.
Are cyclists required to wear a helmet in Arizona?
Arizona does not have a statewide law requiring bicyclists to wear helmets, regardless of age. However, several local jurisdictions, including Tucson, Yuma, Sierra Vista, and Pima County, have laws requiring riders under 18 to wear a bicycle helmet. Outside these areas, helmet use is left to the rider's or their parents' discretion.
What kind of injuries can result from bike accidents?
Bicycle accidents can cause a broad spectrum of injuries, ranging from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma. Common injuries include concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures. Cyclists frequently require medical treatment for broken bones in their arms, wrists, legs, collarbones, or hips, while severe impacts to the spine can result in herniated discs or even paralysis. Facial injuries and dental trauma are also frequent due to falls or collisions.
How is liability determined in an Arizona bicycle accident?
Liability in an Arizona bicycle accident is determined based on the principles of negligence and the state’s “pure comparative fault” rules. Both drivers and cyclists owe each other a duty of care when using the road, and liability hinges on whether either party failed to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances. If a driver or cyclist breaches that duty, for example, through distracted driving, failing to yield, or violating traffic laws, and this breach directly causes an accident and injuries, they can be found negligent and held liable.
Arizona’s pure comparative fault system means fault can be shared among the parties involved. Each person’s degree of responsibility is assigned as a percentage, and any damages a cyclist or driver can recover are reduced accordingly. For example, if a cyclist is found to be 20% at fault for not using adequate lighting but the driver is 80% at fault for texting, the cyclist could still recover 80% of their total damages.
Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence from the scene all play a role in determining liability. Navigating these issues can be complex, and consulting an experienced Arizona bicycle accident lawyer is highly recommended to help clarify fault, gather evidence, and pursue fair compensation.
What compensation am I entitled to after a bicycle accident?
In Arizona, bicycle accident victims may be eligible for various types of damages. The damages you are entitled to depend on the accident’s severity and specific circumstances. Common recoverable damages include lost wages, medical expenses (including immediate and ongoing medical expenses), property damage, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation costs.
If the injuries lead to permanent disability or long-term effects, additional compensation for reduced earning capacity and the need for ongoing care may also be available.
Every bicycle accident claim is unique, and the attorneys at Rasmussen Injury Law are here to help you plan your next steps. Call (480) 637-5757 today to speak with an Arizona bicycle accident lawyer.
Do I really need to hire a bicycle accident lawyer?
Handling a bicycle accident claim can be challenging. Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts or deny responsibility. There can be multiple parties involved, and both of these factors can delay your settlement. An experienced Arizona bicycle accident lawyer can assist you in gathering crucial evidence, filing necessary paperwork, meeting important deadlines, and negotiating with insurers on your behalf.
If negotiations don’t lead to a satisfactory outcome, your attorney is ready to represent you in court to fight for timely and fair compensation. With skilled legal representation, your chances of receiving the full damages to which you are entitled are significantly higher.
Call Rasmussen Injury Law to discuss your cycling accident claim today: (480) 637-5757