Because motorists and cyclists are required to share the road, there can be a lot of tension when deciding who has the right of way. While some motorists hold strong opinions against sharing the road with cyclists, Arizona law provides cyclists with certain rights and protections when they are riding on city streets, and failures of motorists to abide by these rules are among the causes of bicycle accidents. In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that the most common cause of cyclist injuries is a motorist hitting the cyclist, which accounts for 30% of all cycling injuries. If you were injured by a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At Abels & Annes, our seasoned team of Phoenix bicycle accident attorneys is available to assist you with exploring your legal rights.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Phoenix
In many cases, a bicycle crash will take place because the driver simply failed to notice that the cyclist was nearby, perhaps due to distracted driving. Cell phone usage has become one of the biggest dangers to motorist, pedestrian, and cyclist safety. When drivers take their eyes off the roadway to look at their phones, they are unable to react quickly to changing conditions ahead, such as a light change.
Another common cause of bicycle accidents is drunk driving. Like a distracted driver, a drunk driver may be unable to react fast enough to changing traffic lights or the entry of a pedestrian or cyclist into a crosswalk.
Dooring accidents can also cause a substantial number of cyclist injuries. This type of accident occurs when someone exiting or entering a parked car opens the door into the bike lane. When an approaching cyclist slams into the door, he or she may suffer serious head or bodily injuries.
Finally, motorists who fail to yield the right of way to a cyclist is another cause of bicycle accidents. This commonly occurs in an intersection when a motorist turns in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road.
File a Personal Injury Lawsuit to Recover Compensation
An injured cyclist can work with a bike accident lawyer in Phoenix and file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused the collision. In this lawsuit, the plaintiff will need to show that the defendant did not use ordinary care and skill, which caused injuries to the plaintiff. Because accidents can often happen quickly, it may be difficult to understand what happened and who was responsible for your injuries.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you put the pieces together, gather evidence, and assert your legal rights to the fullest extent. Examples of negligent driving that are among the causes of bicycle accidents include:
- distracted driving
- drunk driving
- failing to yield the right-of-way
To determine whether a driver acted negligently, your lawyer may need to obtain information from eyewitnesses to the crash. He or she will also want to review the police report to see whether the officer cited the driver for violating any traffic laws, such as failing to yield the right-of-way, or noted that the driver was using a cell phone while driving without a hands-free device as required by Arizona law. Also, counsel will be prepared to show that you would not have been injured but for the defendant’s negligent conduct.
The final aspect of the lawsuit requires evidence to support the amount of damages that you are claiming in the lawsuit. This may include past and future estimated medical expenses. If you suffered a permanent disability, your lawyer may also account for any ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy and home modifications needed. It could be critical that you receive the support you will require to cope with your injuries into the future.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Phoenix Lawyer
After a bicycle accident, you may feel overwhelmed by your painful injuries and how this event has disrupted your life. Our Phoenix personal injury law firm is dedicated and available for a free consultation to discuss your situation and how we can assist you. Let us focus on your legal case so that you can devote your time to your recovery. Call today at (855) 749-5299 or contact us online to get started.