Phoenix Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured In a Bicycle Accident?

Bicycling is a great way to enjoy beautiful Phoenix and its surrounding areas. It is also a preferred ecological and economical mode of transportation for many people. Bicycling can be very dangerous as you have very little defense against injury if something goes wrong. Bicycles are light in comparison to motor vehicles and riders have very little with which to protect them. If you or a loved one has been in a bicycle accident, you need effective legal counsel to assist you with your injury claim. Reach out to the Phoenix Bicycle Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Joel W. Black, LLC. We understand what you are going through and how to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

How Bicycle Accidents Happen

In general, bicycles have just as much right to the road as motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. In fact, in Arizona, it is legal for bicycles to ride in the traffic lanes, as long as they follow the same street laws as motorists do. Despite being as careful as you can be, accidents happen. Some of the most common types of bicycle accidents are:

Right Cross – This is when a car pulls out, making a right turn from a driveway, side street, or parking lot directly into your path, or physically striking you.

Right Hook – This indicates an accident wherein a vehicle passes you on your left and then makes a quick “hooking” right turn, cutting you off and forcing you to hit them, or directly hitting you.

Left Cross – Much like the above, this is when a vehicle which is traveling from the opposite direction, coming towards you and unexpectedly turns left in front of or into you.

Dooring – More common in metropolitan areas, dooring is when you are cycling down the street where there may be cars parked. Motorists exit their vehicle without checking their surroundings and you collide with their vehicle door as it opens.

Rear-Ending – This signifies any incident where vehicles and bicycles collide front end to back end and vice versa. This could occur if a motorist makes a sharp, unexpected stop causing you to hit the rear of their vehicle, or if a vehicle does not stop in time and impacts the back of your cycle.

Sideswiping – As a good rule of thumb, drivers should leave at least three feet between themselves and bicyclists if they are passing a rider who is on the right side of the road. Blatant failure to observe this “unwritten” rule and inattentiveness is the main cause of sideswiping accidents.

Staying Safe On the Road While Cycling

There are things you can do to stay safe while cycling. Here are some of the most important keynotes of bicycle safety, as noted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS)

• Ride on the right-hand side of the road, WITH the flow of traffic.
• Ride predictably, following the same rules motorists do.
• Obey traffic control devices (signs, signals, lane markings).
• Protect your head, never be without a helmet.
• Use your hand signals. Signal before you move or stop, let motorists know what you are doing.
• Enter streets and intersections cautiously
• Ride defensively on the road
• Don’t ride on the sidewalk, it is not legal in many AZ cities (check your local laws)
• Be visible and be seen, wear bright colors or reflective wear to increase your visibility
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look behind you often, use side mirrors if it helps you.
• Make sure everything on your bicycle is in proper working condition before you ride.

How We Can Help

Our skilled and compassionate team of Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys are experienced litigators. We know the law and how it applies to seeking compensation for your losses. Bicycle accidents can come with minor property damage, but MAJOR injuries. An accident can cause you to miss work, losing critical income for your family. On top of that, mounting medical bills can drain your savings. You have questions – we have answers.

Contact Our Accident Lawyers Today

The legal professionals at the Law Offices of Joel W. Black, LLC are experienced in handling bicycle accident cases in the state of Arizona, with our offices conveniently located in Phoenix. Don’t delay when your future is at stake.  Call us today at (602) 277-1393 or fill out our online case evaluation request. Initial consultations are free and confidential.