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Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Arizona, you are likely overwhelmed, in pain, and unsure of your next steps. You deserve an Advocate!

A Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

The Advocates are experienced bicycle accident lawyers, and we are prepared to assist you in your recovery. We are proud to have successfully represented thousands of bicycle accident victims in receiving fair compensation for their injuries over the last 30 years.

If you need a competent, caring attorney for your personal injury claim, contact us today for a free consultation. The Advocates are ready to take your case!

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

We Get Results

$500 Million

In Settlements

A Team of Bicycle Specialists Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.

We can help you:

✓ Investigate your accident

✓ Build your case

✓ Negotiate with insurance companies

✓ Support for you and your case

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Arizona Bicycle Accident Statistics

Aerial shot of a country road.

Where do bicycle deaths occur?

  • The highest rate of bicycle accidents and fatalities in Arizona occur in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas
  • Phoenix is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the nation for bicyclists
  • Highway 83 through Tucson is a particularly dangerous road for cyclists. When cyclists ride on highways with little shoulder room and hairpin turns, it makes fatal accidents far more likely, since motorists are usually moving quickly and may not see bicycles in time to move over. Even if a vehicle is able to swerve out of the way of a cyclist, they may enter oncoming traffic and cause a car accident, which endangers both drivers as well as the nearby biker

Arizona state bicycle accident statistics

  • Bicycle accidents claim an average of 25 lives every year statewide
  • Most bicycle accident victims are male
  • Since 2018, the number of bike crashes has decreased, however, the number of fatal bike  accidents has increased
  • More than 90% of bicycle crashes occur in urban areas
  • Nearly 25% of all traffic accidents involving cyclists occur when the cyclist is illegally riding against traffic
  • Intoxicated bicyclists are 2,000% more likely to be involved in an accident than sober bikers
  • Cyclists who ride in groups are less likely to be struck by a vehicle than those who ride alone

 

Bicycle helmet statistics

  • Over the last 30 years, 82% of fatal bicycle accidents involved a cyclist who wasn’t wearing a helmet
  • In the majority of bicycle accidents, the most serious injuries are to the head
  • More cyclists check into emergency rooms for head injuries every year than participants of any other sport
  • Helmet users are less likely to be hospitalized after an accident than non-helmeted riders
  • Men are less likely to wear helmets while riding than women
  • Children whose bicycle helmets fit poorly are at twice  the risk for head injury while riding than children with properly fitting safety gear

Common causes of bike accidents

  • Distracted driving: Motorists become much more dangerous and unpredictable when texting or talking on the phone
  • Impaired driving: Bike accidents are far more likely to happen when the driver or bicycle rider is under the influence
  • Poor visibility: Cycling on poorly lit roads or riding without proper reflective gear makes it difficult for drivers to see bikers
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists or cyclists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
Woman texting while driving
Common injuries from bicycle accidents

Common bicycle accident injuries

Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, bicycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common types of bicycle injuries are:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising

Arizona Bicycle Laws

Diagram of a bicycle

What is a “bicycle” under Arizona law?

n Arizona, a bicycle is defined as any device that moves using human power and on which a person can ride. It can have either two or three wheels, and at least one wheel must be sixteen inches in diameter or larger. This means that two-wheeled bicycles, tricycles, tandem bikes, and racing wheelchairs are all legally considered bicycles and must obey bike laws.

According to Arizona state law, riders of any of these devices have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when on the road. If you are struck by a motor vehicle while following the rules of the road, the motorist is likely at fault.

Does a bicyclist have to use the shoulder of the road in Arizona?

In general, bicyclists do not need to ride on the shoulder in Arizona. Bikers should ride as close as is practical to the right edge of the road when traveling slower than normal traffic, but there is no law requiring the use of the shoulder under normal conditions. In fact, it is legal for cyclists to ride two abreast in the right lane.

Bicyclist rides on the road near the shoulder
cyclist makes a delivery while riding on a city sidewalk

Can I ride a bicycle on the sidewalk?

There is no state law preventing cyclists from riding on the sidewalk. However, cities are allowed to create their own laws regarding this practice, and some, like Tucson, prohibit bicycles from riding on sidewalks. Know the laws of the area you’ll be riding in prior to hopping on your bike. You can be ticketed whether you knew you were breaking the law or not.

In Phoenix, where it is legal to ride on the sidewalk, directional rules do not apply. You may travel in either direction when on the sidewalk and in crosswalks. Bicycles only function as vehicles when traveling on the roadway.

Do bicyclists have to obey stop lights and stop signs?

When traveling on roadways, cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists. This includes stopping at stop signs and stop lights. It is important that bikers follow these laws, because intersections can be a particularly dangerous place for bicycles.

Being as predictable as possible is the best way to stay safe as a cyclist. The drivers around you are likely not expecting you to ride through a stop sign or red light without stopping. Failing to obey the laws at an intersection puts you at high risk of being struck by a vehicle traveling on the road perpendicular to you.

Stop sign on a blue background
Cyclist makes a left hand turn signal on a busy city street.

What are the hand signal rules for bicyclists?

When turning, cyclists should use the universally-recognized hand signals to alert drivers to their intentions. Just as motorists are required to use their blinkers when changing direction, so too should bikers. The law requires cyclists to signal at least 100 feet before their turn.

In general, hand signals should be done using the left arm. The following hand signals help communicate your plans to drivers:

  • Left turn: extend your left arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground.
  • Right turn: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points straight up OR extend your right arm straight out to the side.
  • Stop: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points down toward the ground.

Does a bicyclist have to walk through a crosswalk?

The Arizona Supreme Court determined in 1980 that bicyclists are permitted to ride their bikes in crosswalks in either direction. It is important to note that, when riding on sidewalks and in crosswalks, cyclists should follow the same rules that pedestrians do.

Being as predictable as possible is the best way to stay safe as a cyclist. The drivers around you are likely not expecting you to ride through a stop sign or red light without stopping. Failing to obey the laws at an intersection puts you at high risk of being struck by a vehicle traveling on the road perpendicular to you.

Man rides bicycle through a crosswalk
Man grips the handle bars of his bicycle

Do bicyclists need both hands on the handlebars at all times?

ARS 28-816 states that bikers must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times when riding on roadways. Of course, using two hands when biking provides you with more control and is the safer option. Riding on roadways without either hand on the handlebars is both dangerous and illegal.

What is the number of persons allowed on a bicycle?

State law requires that everyone on a bicycle must have their own seat. Tandem bikes can ride on the road, but can only carry one person for every seat on the bike.

Father and child riding a bicycle in the park
Reflectors on a light blue background

What reflectors and lights have to be on a bicycle in Arizona?

When riding at night, proper lighting is critical to keeping bikers safe. Additionally, reflector strips increase safety during the day. The following lights and reflectors care required on any cycle riding on Arizona roadways:

  • A red rear reflector is required to be mounted on the bicycle. This reflector should be visible at up to 300 feet. Even if your bike has a tail light, you must also have a red reflector.
  • When riding at night, cyclists must have a white light attached to the front of their bike. This light must be visible from at least 500 feet.

When Should I Hire a Bicycle Injury Attorney?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the driver of the vehicle was at fault in order to receive any damages. Arizona is a comparative fault state, meaning that if you were even partially responsible for the accident, you will not be awarded the full amount of your claim. Insurance companies can be ruthless and will do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility in the accident. Fighting insurance providers on your own can be stressful, upsetting, and disruptive to your recovery.

The Advocates are personal injury attorneys with years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for their clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. We understand that when recovering from debilitating injuries, the last thing you want to do is navigate your way through a complex legal process.

We are here to help every step of the way, from building your case to helping you understand your medical bills. The Advocates will be by your side from the day you contact us to the day you receive your settlement check. Contact us today for a free consultation. You deserve an Advocate.

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