Mesa Bicycle Accident Attorneys

    Mesa Bicycle Accident Attorneys

    Protecting Your Rights as a Bicyclist

In Mesa, bicycle accident lawyers are kept busy all year-round due to our glorious weather. Since the climate is so warm and welcoming, bicyclists and motorcyclists flock to our roads every single day, especially in suburban built-up areas. Given that most of the Valley of the Sun is filled with vehicles around the clock, bicycle and motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence often resulting in life-altering injuries or fatalities. If you have been involved in a serious bike accident due to a careless car, truck, or bus operator, professional legal representation from the personal injury attorneys at Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC can lend a hand through the long, complicated legal process.

Contact us online or by phone at (480) 833-8800 to schedule a free consultation with a caring attorney. We’ve served our community since 1961 and are ready to apply our decades of knowledge to your case.

What Are My Rights as a Bicyclist in Arizona?

Like most states, Arizona gives bicyclists many of the same rights and responsibilities as other motor vehicle drivers. This means that vehicle drivers owe bicyclists the same duty of care they owe other drivers. Bicyclists have the right of way in Arizona, meaning that they can ride in a lane as long as they maintain a speed that doesn’t interrupt the flow of traffic. Cars must give the bicyclist ample space to avoid tailgating. However, bicyclists are still required to follow the same rules of the road and use caution when changing lanes. Bicyclists must also use proper hand signals to let other drivers know what they’re about to do, whether they’re slowing down or about to make a turn.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident in Mesa?

If you are involved in a bicycle accident in Mesa, your actions in the immediate aftermath can make a big difference in your claim.

Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic.
Exchange contact and insurance information with all parties involved.
Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bike or property.
Gather witness statements and contact information if available.
Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the official report.
Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor, to document any harm.
Contact an experienced Mesa bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your case.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Though bicycle accidents can be caused by other bicyclists and even pedestrians, most often it’s a motor vehicle driver involved in the collision. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, we saw 1,139 bicycle accidents, resulting in 44 fatalities and 1,128 injuries in 2023. When auto accidents occur and involve both vehicle drivers and bicyclists, it’s most often the bicyclist who suffers injuries. Because they lack the protection that drivers and passengers of vehicles have, they’re more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash. Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

Driving under the influence: Driving while intoxicated impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and react to road hazards quickly. Drunk drivers may be less likely to see a bicyclist in the bike lane and could hit them when changing lanes or making turns.
Distracted driving: When drivers are texting, talking on their phones or otherwise not paying attention to the road, they may not notice a bicyclist riding across the street or changing lanes in front of them.
Failing to yield right of way: Cars often hit bicyclists when they fail to yield to their right of way to allow them to change lanes or make turns. This is a direct violation of Arizona’s bicycle laws and is considered negligence.
Dooring: Dooring is a term used when cars parked in the bike lane open the driver door, creating an obstacle for oncoming bicyclists.
Cutting off a bicyclist’s path: Many drivers cause accidents when they block the path of a bicyclist. This can occur when vehicles are turning into parking lots, backing out of a driveway, or entering traffic directly in front of a bicyclist.

Common Accident Injuries Cyclists Face

Common injuries bicyclists suffer from after an accident include bone fractures, head injuries, and spinal injuries. If the injuries are serious enough, bicyclists can be permanently paralyzed or suffer traumatic brain injuries, both of which require extensive medical treatment and sometimes lifelong care. These costs can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars that can put individuals and families in a lot of debt for years to come.

Do I Have a Bike Accident Claim?

You may have a valid bicycle accident claim if your accident was caused by another party’s negligence, such as a driver who failed to yield, was distracted, or violated traffic laws. Arizona law treats bicyclists as having the same rights as motor vehicle drivers, so if you were injured due to someone else’s carelessness, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Contact a Mesa bicycle accident attorney to review the details of your case and determine your eligibility for a claim.

Damages Our Team Can Recover

If you have ever sustained injuries due to a serious motorcycle or bike accident, you will know the symptoms associated with head, joint, and spinal cord injuries can take many months and perhaps even years to fully heal. It is because of these physical and psychological hardships that our Mesa bicycle accident lawyers look to represent riders who have been injured through no fault of their own. Medical bills can be exceedingly costly, particularly if you require frequent hospital visits and/or continual physical care. That is why our experienced attorneys help you determine whether you have a worthwhile claim to pursue. Damages we’ve recovered for bicycle accident victims include:

Medical expenses, including hospital bills and costs of medication
Loss of wages and reduced earning capacity
Physical therapy
Disability
Pain and suffering
Property damage

How Skousen Gulbrandsen & Patience PLC Can Help

Because bike riding is such a popular recreational activity in the Phoenix metropolitan area, as well as across the rest of Arizona State, many riders are unfortunately injured or killed in accidents every year. Our firm offers full legal support if the crash, collision, or traffic accident in which you have been involved has resulted in limited physical mobility or negatively impacted your career. Remember, safety is important, and you should take the necessary steps to ride safely.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Our dedicated Mesa bicycle accident and personal injury lawyers have helped residents living all over Mesa. If you are a bicyclist or motorcyclist who has been involved in an accident resulting in serious injuries, we can assist you today. We’re a family-owned firm that has been passed down from generation to generation, and we strive to treat each of our clients with the respect and care we’d give to our own family members. Allow us to care for you and your case during this difficult time. Call us for a free consultation to speak with our bilingual personal injury attorneys at (480) 833-8800. Our team can fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve after a bicycle accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth it to hire an attorney for a bicycle accident?

Yes, hiring an attorney can significantly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. Bicycle accident claims often involve legal issues, insurance negotiations, and the need to prove fault. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and represent you in court if necessary.

What is the average settlement for a bicycle accident in Arizona?

There is no standard average settlement, as each case is unique and depends on factors such as the severity of injuries, medical costs, lost wages, and fault. Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to hundreds of thousands for severe or life-altering injuries.

How long does it take to claim a bicycle accident?

The timeline for a bicycle accident claim varies, but most cases are resolved within several months to a year. Complex cases involving serious injuries or disputes over fault may take longer. Acting quickly is important to preserve evidence and meet legal deadlines.

What damages can I recover after a bicycle accident?

You may be eligible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other related costs.

What if the driver says I was at fault?

Even if the driver or insurance company claims you were at fault, you still have rights. Arizona uses a comparative negligence system, meaning your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than50% at fault.

Call us for a free consultation in English or Spanish at (480) 833-8800 so our team can fight for your rights and win you the compensation you deserve after a bicycle accident.

Cases We Handle

Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer

$450K

$450K Sand Rail Accident

We recovered $450,000 for a client involved in a sand rail accident.

$1M

$1M Motor Vehicle Accident

We recovered $1 million for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident.

$1.25M

$1.25M Car Accident

We recovered $1.25 million in a car accident involving a rollover.

$1.5M

$1.5M Tire Defect

We recovered $1.5 million for a client against a tire manufacturer involving a tire defect.

$1.5M

$1.5M Burn Injury

We recovered $1.5 million for a burn victim.

$1.5M

$1.5M Motorcycle Accident

We recovered $1.5 million for a client involved in a motorcycle accident.

$5M

$5M Biking Accident

We recovered $5 million for a client involved in a biking accident.

$5.3M

$5.3M Motor Vehicle Accident

We recovered $5.3 million for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident.

$10M

$10M Truck Accident

We recovered over $10 million for a family involved in a trucking accident case.

$50M

$50M Bus Rollover Crash

Over $50 million recovered in a case involving multiple attorneys and victims in a bus rollover crash.

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