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!
Immediately after your accident, check for injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Get any property damage assessed and repaired
Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
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.
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.
✓ Investigate your accident
✓ Build your case
✓ Negotiate with insurance companies
✓ Support for you and your case
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.