Phoenix Bicycle Accident Lawyer

COMMON CAUSES OF BICYCLE ACCIDENTS IN PHOENIX

Bicycle accidents most commonly occur on public roads and can result from a variety of factors. Each time you take your bicycle out, you face risks that are supposed to be mitigated by the rule of law. Unfortunately, many drivers disregard these rules and increase the chance of harm for the bicycle riders around them.

Unfortunately, bicycle riders in Phoenix are treated as second-rate users of the motorway. Even though they have the same rights under the law as drivers, cyclists are often put in dangerous positions by drivers who are only concerned about getting somewhere as quickly as possible. Do not put it past a driver to tailgate a bicyclist because they are late for a doctor’s appointment, for example.

Even when the danger posed is not based on selfish concern but rather too long of a daydream while driving, a driver’s neglect or disregard for cyclists can result in threatening injuries, nonetheless. A driver may not even realize the risks that they pose to cyclists by trying to pass them on a narrow street, by using their cellphone while driving, or by not being adequately rested before getting behind the wheel of their car.

Below are descriptions of some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Phoenix:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving means a lot more than it used to before the advent of smartphones. There are so many things to be distracted by nowadays, it’s easy to imagine someone opening their phone and taking their eyes off the road. How many times have you reached a destination and thought, “Wow, I don’t remember driving here at all.” When this happens, any pedestrians and cyclists on your route at that time were in potential danger.

Speeding

The faster a car is traveling, the more likely it is that it will cause serious injury if strikes a cyclist. A driver who is not paying attention to their speed creates a risk of harm to all those around them. In residential neighborhoods, community members expect cars to travel at relatively low speeds, but people often ignore the speed limit, deeming it to be a mere suggestion.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Unsafe lane changes include changing lanes without a turn signal and weaving in and out of traffic. When the driver of an automobile fails to use their turn signal, they are creating uncertainty for the other people on the motorway.

A motorist who properly signals gives other drivers and cyclists the chance to alert them that they may be making a dangerous maneuver. Weaving in and out of traffic creates significant risk for bike lane users, who are also at great risk when they ride in a bike lane that is dually purposed for both bike and automobile traffic.

Turning Without Looking

Turning without looking is a significant danger because many bikers use pedestrian walkways to cross the street. If a driver does not take the time to ensure that there is nothing in front of or to the side of their vehicle, they risk causing potentially fatal damage.

Looking before turning is a simple habit that can prevent the loss of life and damage to property. Furthermore, because cyclists have to stop at traffic lights just as cars do, there is a particular danger for cyclists sitting next to a car that is ready to make a right on red.

Failure to Yield

There are various parts of the road system in Phoenix which feature roundabouts. In an instance where a car pulls up to a roundabout intersection, if there is a vehicle already in the intersection, then the incoming car must yield to them. For most, this is an obvious rule, but many people neglect to give bicycle riders the same deference and appreciation on the road. The result can be horrific, with the cyclists sometimes being side-swiped and flying in a cartwheel over the top of the vehicle.

Driver Fatigue

People fail to realize how important it is to be well-rested before getting behind the wheel of an automobile. The Arizona Department of Public Safety reports that 19 hours without sleep is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.05%, and not having slept for 24 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of 0.1%. Symptoms of fatigue include nodding off, lack of alertness, and slow reaction time; all of which increase the likelihood of a car crashing into an unsuspecting cyclist.

Running a Red Light

Running red lights and stop signs are actions that commonly precede intersection accidents. This risk is magnified in areas where there is a lot of stop-and-go traffic, such as in urban neighborhoods and city centers. When a cyclist has the right of way and a car rolls through their stop sign, the results are usually injurious and often deadly.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR BICYCLE ACCIDENT INJURIES?

In Phoenix, it’s up to the motorists to respect the rights of cyclists and to obey traffic laws. Failing to adhere to Arizona law and subsequently causing an accident is considered negligence. If you believe a negligent driver is responsible for causing your accident and injuries, we encourage you to get legal advice from our personal injury lawyers.

Negligence is a legal standard that refers to someone having ought to be aware of an unjustifiable risk but fails to act in a way that recognizes the risk. In the context of a bicycle accident, some examples include:

• ignoring traffic signals,
• texting and driving,
• driving in the bike lane, and
• abrupt turns without signaling.

When a person engages in any of these actions, they are said by law to have lacked ordinary due care. To hold a defendant liable for negligence, the plaintiff must establish the following four elements by a preponderance of the evidence:

1. The defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff to conform to a specific standard of care.

2. The defendant breached that duty.

3. The breach was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s harm.

4. The victim suffered damages because of the accident.

Negligence per se is another form of liability proscribed by Arizona state statutes. It states that if a person is found to have violated a statute, regulation, or code and as a result injures another, then negligence will apply automatically.

Being that it is the infraction of traffic laws that is the typical precedence to a car-on-bike accident, it is likely that the negligence per se rule will apply. Having a lawyer who knows these rules will affect whether you succeed in your lawsuit. Be assured that the attorneys at Zinda Law Group are familiar with AZ law standards and the fact patterns which trigger accidents.

ZINDA LAW GROUP PHOENIX BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS CAN HELP

During your recovery, the thought will likely cross your mind, “How do I find an injury lawyer near me?” A Phoenix injury attorney from Zinda Law Group is here to help you.

At Zinda Law Group Phoenix, our experienced team of attorneys is focused on the preservation of evidence and ensuring that the proper procedures of the court are followed. With our expertise, we can help you and your family pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income, damaged property, pain and suffering, and much more.

If you are the victim of a bicycle accident, you may have sustained serious injuries. A Phoenix bicycle accident attorney can work to seek awards on your behalf and hold negligent parties accountable. We also offer a 100% free consultation, and you will pay nothing unless we achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your bicycle accident case; that is our No Win No Fee Guarantee.

A personal injury attorney from our firm would be honored to serve you during this challenging time. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to schedule a free consultation with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer today. We are ready and willing to assist you!

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.