Phoenix Bicycle Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Phoenix or the surrounding area, contact Cruz & Associates. While motor vehicle drivers are relatively safe inside their protective metal shells, bicycles expose riders to serious injury risks. Bikers could strike their heads on vehicles or the asphalt, suffer bad road rash, or break bones upon impact. In the worst bicycle accident cases, the biker does not survive or suffers debilitating and lifelong injuries. After a bicycle injury, contact our team. We can communicate in English and Spanish, so you feel comfortable discussing your case.
Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorneys
After a bicycle accident, you may seek the help of a personal injury attorney. In the face of mounting medical bills, phone calls from insurance companies, and emotional trauma, you need a trusted legal representative to discuss your case with you. Your lawyer will work for you, not an insurance company.
An attorney from Cruz & Associates can walk you through the process of seeking financial recovery from the at-fault driver and/or other party and help you negotiate a maximized settlement. Working with a lawyer can be the best decision you make after a harmful bicycle accident.
Bicyclist Rights and Responsibilities in Phoenix
In every city in the United States, bicyclists have a unique set of rules and regulations they must obey when using public roads and sidewalks. In Arizona, the law treats bicycles as “vehicles,” just like other cars. Bicyclists, therefore, have the same rights as a traditional motor vehicle to operate in roadways (other than highways and interstates). Bicyclists also share the same responsibilities as drivers and must obey standard traffic laws. Some of the most important bike laws in either city include:
- Follow traffic signals. Bicyclists have the same rights as drivers, but they also have similar responsibilities. They must stop for stop signs and traffic lights and yield the right-of-way to the appropriate vehicle or pedestrian. Bicyclists in Arizona must signal their intent to turn and may not ride alongside motor vehicles or lane-split. Arizona bikers must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
- Helmet laws. Arizona and its nearby cities do not have mandatory helmet laws, although the cities of Tucson and Sierra Vista require helmets for those under the age of 18.
- Bicycle requirements. In Arizona, bikers must use white headlights and red rear reflectors before dawn and at dusk. Every person riding a bicycle must have a seat. Bikes must have at least one brake that makes wheels skid on dry pavement. Bicyclists have a responsibility to keep their vehicles well-maintained and in proper working order while on the road.
It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities as a bicyclist, as special rules may apply. After a collision with a motor vehicle, questions of fault and negligence will arise. The other driver might have suggested you were at least partially at fault for the collision because you broke some roadway rule. Knowing your rights can help you defend yourself and prove the other party’s fault. Hiring an injury attorney is the best way to get the most out of your bike accident claim.
Contact Us to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Our Phoenix and Arizona attorneys offer free, no-obligation case evaluations to discuss bicycle accident cases with injured victims. If you suffered injuries or a loved one died in a recent bike accident in one of these metropolitan areas, submit our online contact form. One of our experienced lawyers will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss your options.