Many people in Arizona ride their bikes for fresh air, physical exercise, and to boost healthy endorphins. However, if you are one of the many who enjoy riding your bike, there are some risks involved and accidents can occur at any time.
According to the People Power Movement Bike And Walk Alliance, more than 45,000 bicycle-related accidents occur every day in our country, and many result in severe injury or death. If you or a loved one have been harmed in a bicycle accident, you will undoubtedly have many questions, and you may be entitled to compensation. The following information will help you address some common concerns shared by others who have been involved in bicycle accidents and start you on a path to healing and recovery.
Why is it necessary for you to know the precise cause of an accident? You must be able to prove that the motorist was negligent in causing the incident to hold them liable (usually by making a claim with their insurance company). Because being hit does not always imply that the driver is to blame (though it frequently does), you must be able to prove that the driver is at fault for your damages in order to file a successful claim.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents in Arizona include:
Driving While Distracted
Drivers who are preoccupied with their phones rather than their surroundings are much more likely to cause dangerous collisions. Reading and responding to text messages, calling or conversing on the phone, and using social media are all common kinds of distractions.
Failure To Provide Enough Buffer
Drivers that follow bikes too closely and pass within three feet of them unnecessarily put themselves in hazardous circumstances. These drivers are not only more likely to hit cyclists, but they also provide cyclists (and themselves) fewer options for avoiding crashes and other incidents.
Excessive speed
Speeding lengthens the time it takes for drivers to stop while reducing the amount of time they have to make decisions on the road. Although high-speed collisions are more likely to result in serious (or even fatal) injuries, even low-speed collisions (such as when a car speeds through a quiet area) can be exceedingly dangerous for cyclists.
Moving In And Out Of Traffic
Cyclists sharing the road are less likely to be seen by drivers weaving through traffic. They're also less likely to be able to escape crashes by making evasive moves. Weaving motorists frequently stray from traffic lanes and onto bike lanes and shoulders.
Dangerous Lane Changes
A single hazardous lane shift, even if a motorist is not weaving, can be exceedingly dangerous. Most bicycle incidents involving unsafe lane changes occur when vehicles merge into cyclists' lanes without first checking to see if the lane is clear.
Blind Turns
Drivers often turn on a green light without checking for moving bicyclists and pedestrians. At intersections, turning without checking for bikers is a common (and entirely avoidable) cause of bicycle accidents.
Running A Stop Sign Or Red Light
Drivers disregarding red lights and stop signs is a problem in every community. While ignoring a traffic sign or signal is risky in and of itself, the dangers are multiplied when drivers fail to look for cyclists who have the right of way.
Failure To Yield
Failure to yield is another irresponsible or reckless driving behavior that puts cyclists in danger. Drivers must always yield to oncoming traffic, including bicycle traffic.
Driving Under The Influence
People under the influence of drugs or alcohol and get behind the wheel endanger themselves and everyone else on the road. It reduces their capacity to make sound decisions.
Fatigued Drivers
Although the dangers of driving while fatigued are less well-known than those of driving while intoxicated, research has demonstrated that their severity is comparable. Drivers who are out late or early in the morning or trying to get home after a long day at work are much more likely to cause serious collisions.
Injured cyclists, like all other tort victims, are entitled to financial compensation. Economic damages, often known as "special" damages, refer to the financial harm that an aggrieved party has received, or damages that can be measured in monetary terms. Bills, receipts, and business/wage records are all popular ways to document out-of-pocket economic losses. The following are examples of recoverable economic damages:
The most devastating repercussions of a catastrophic injury are frequently not the injuries themselves but the loss of enjoyment from life and the resulting physical and mental agony. Non-economic, or "general," damages are the intangible losses that occur due to an injury. These damages are sometimes more challenging to quantify but are legitimately recovered regularly. They include:
When riding a bicycle, safety is vital, but accidents are inevitable. Knowing what to do immediately after a mishap can help you defend your rights, as well as the rights of others who may be seriously hurt. The following steps can help keep you safe and benefit the outcome of a legal case:
1. Wait for Law Enforcement To Arrive.
If there are injuries or property damage, you and the other party have a legal obligation to stay at the scene. Wait for the police to arrive, even if you don't feel you've been hurt. It's possible that you won't realize you've been hurt until later. It may not be easy to locate the other motorist once you have left the area.
2. Never bargain with the driver.
Even if the driver apologizes and admits responsibility, don't negotiate with them. You may not realize the extent of your injuries and other damage.
3. Obtain information on the driver.
Exchange information such as driver's license number, license plate number, name, phone number, address, and insurance policy number.
4. Obtain contact information for witnesses.
Make a list of witnesses' names and phone numbers.
5. Keep a record of what happened.
Remember every detail regarding the accident, including the time, place, and manner in which it occurred, as well as the road, traffic, and weather conditions. Write everything down as quickly as possible. Make maps or diagrams when possible.
6. Double-check the police report.
When documenting a motorist's version of events, police are sometimes more anxious than you may think. Ensure that your account of what happened is included in the report. No matter how slight, any injury should be reported (it may develop into something significant later). Note the accident report number.
7. Seek medical help right away and keep track of your injuries.
Consult a doctor right away, even if your injuries are minor, and get a documented examination. Take photos of your injuries and keep track of your symptoms.
8. Keep your evidence safe.
Any damaged clothing should be kept and not washed. Keep any broken bike parts and don't have your bike fixed. If it's necessary to get it fixed, take photos and get a written record of the damage beforehand.
9. Do NOT negotiate with insurance companies.
Before you have all the facts, the driver's insurance company may phone you and try to settle. Insurance companies should never be negotiated with directly.
10. Seek professional advice.
Don't contact your insurance carrier until you've spoken with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents. Anything you say now may be used against you later by insurance companies. Hire an attorney specializing in bicycle accidents to investigate the accident and who has experience representing bicyclists in court.