skip to Main Content

Bicycle Accidents

When you get in the car, logically you know that you have a chance of getting in a car accident, however small that chance is. What about when you get on a bicycle? Even if you are just going for a ride in your neighborhood, bicycles share the road with cars, and so there is a chance of getting into an accident. Bicycle accidents are not very common, but they are serious when they occur. Know the causes of bicycle accidents more below.

The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been injured in bicycle accidents. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call.  You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.

By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.

Read Our Client Reviews

Is a Cyclist Considered a Pedestrian?  

The short answer here is that it depends. A pedestrian is a person traveling outside their vehicle on foot or using other modes of transportation like roller skates, skateboards, wheelchairs, or tricycles. Whether a bicyclist is considered a pedestrian varies depending on city and where the accident took place. In the Phoenix valley, a bicyclist is generally considered a pedestrian when they are following pedestrian rules like riding their bikes on a sidewalk or crossing the street using pedestrian crosswalks. They are considered a separate category when they are driving in bicycle lanes and turning with traffic. For more information on pedestrian accidents, check out our Pedestrian Accidents page.  

In other words, bicycle accidents are considered a bicycle accident when the cyclist acts like a vehicle on the road. Bicycle accidents are considered pedestrian accidents when the cyclist follows rules for pedestrians.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents? 

In 2020, there were 1,275 bicycle accidents across Arizona, with the vast majority (1,210) taking place in Maricopa County. This makes up approximately 0.78% of the accidents for that year. However, while these accidents may not be common, they have a high injury rate, with almost 97% of cyclists being killed or injured. Learn about the common causes of bicycle accidents below to help prevent them.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents? 

  • Distracted DrivingWhile driving while distracted can be dangerous for other vehicles, it can be dangerous for bicyclists as well. Additionally, cyclists using a crosswalk while being distracted by a cell phone or other devices may also be at increased risk for bicycle accidents. Vice versa, if the bicyclist is distracted, they may enter traffic unknowingly. This is one of the common causes of bicycle accidents.
  • Buffer: As the driver of a car, it is extremely important to leave a buffer of at least 3 feet around the bicycle on all sides. Not only does this make it more likely for the car to hit the bicycle, it leaves the cyclist with fewer options to avoid collisions.  
  • Speeding: Speeding increases a driver’s stopping time while decreasing the amount of time they have to make decisions. Additionally, high speed accidents are much more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries. Overspeeding mostly seen in road and one of the causes of bicycle accidents.
  • Weaving Through Traffic: Drivers who weave through traffic are likely speeding, which means they have less reaction time. Also, they may not be able to see cyclists as well as other drivers and have less options to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a crash. Lastly, they may use bicycle lanes to get around traffic that is in their way.  
  • Lane Changes: Even if a driver is not making weaving through traffic, even making one unsafe lane change can result in an accident. Accidents when making a lane change usually occur when a car moves into a bike lane without looking to make sure the lane is clear.  
  • Turning Without Looking: Even if a driver has a green light, they are still responsible for watching out for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections. Particularly in places where cyclists act like pedestrians, they may cross with pedestrians.  
  • Red-Light RunnersWhile it is always dangerous to run a red light, stop sign, or yield sign, it becomes even more so for a bicyclist when a car runs those traffic signs. The bicyclist may think they have the right of way, and so may not look for oncoming traffic in time to make evasive maneuvers.  
  • Driving Under the InfluenceFor many of the same reasons that driving under the influence causes other accidents, it increases the chance of bicycle accidents. 
  • Low Visibility: At nighttime, the number of bicycle accidents generally increases. When riding at night, cyclists should always wear white or light-colored clothing to increase visibility, as well as using a light on their bike. When not being followed, it becomes one of the causes of bicycle accidents.

What Do You Do If a Car Hits You While Cycling? 

  1. Move out of the street or road onto a sidewalk or other safe place. Even though you might be angry, upset, and in pain, try to remain as calm as possible even though it may be difficult.  
  2. Keep the driver there. If the driver leaves before police arrive to get a statement and without identifying themselves, it is called a hit-and-run accident. First thing, try to take a photo of the license plate and get the driver’s name, in case they leave later.  
  3. Call the police. The first thing you should do is call the police from the scene of the accident, even if you don’t think you are injured.  
  4. Collect information and document the accident. You should get a report from the other driver stating what happened and take photos of the accident. When taking pictures, make sure to have a timestamp on them, document any visible injuries, the road, the bike, and anything else you can think of.  
  5. If you are too panicked to do any of this, ask someone for help. This is a witness, and they can help you gather information and take photos. They can also help by giving their statement of what happened.  
  6. Go to the hospital to get checked out, even if you are not sure if you are injured. Adrenaline may delay pain, so you may not even know what injuries you have.  
  7. If you are injured, look for a personal injury lawyer who can help get you compensation

If You Need More Information, Take a Look at These Articles

Hospitals Near You 

Depending on where you are in the Valley, here’s a list of some hospitals that may be close to you.

 

Get Help Now 

At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their personal injuries, including those from bicycle accidents in the Phoenix area. We also provide important details about the causes of bicycle accidents. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.

If you have been injured in bicycle accidents, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, GilbertMesaScottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.

Practice Areas

Brenden Lewis
a month ago

So I suffered a tragic motorcycle accident leaving me injured and quite unhappy…… also the bike was totaled. This all star law team secured a large settlement for all my suffering. This process was very well advised by an aggressive and determined lawyer. All I can say is now I’m left a very happy man. Thank you karissa for working quick to bring my tragic story to a much warmer end. Just call them! You won’t regret it!

Shayianna Guyton
a month ago

They literally conversed with me every step of the way throughout my journey. Thank you guys

I was very pleased with my experience. They kept me informed the whole way through the process and checked on me through my treatment. Definitely would recommend

My dad was in a car accident and during those difficult moments, Phoenix Accident and Injury Law firm has been there for us. They care for their clients, will walk you through everything you need to know step by step, they follow up, very easy to reach and fast to respond. And one thing is for sure! they will fight for you! we felt safe with them! Me and the entire family thank them all so much for all their help! These people that works here are amazing!

Jenifer henke
a year ago

I was in an accident that resulted in getting whiplash and a concussion. I contacted Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm that day. Everyone was helpful (Rhea, Karissa, and Jeff) from the very beginning to the very end. They sent me to a physical therapy location that was pretty far away but the doctor and physical therapist were very kind so I did make the trek. They handled all aspects of my case in a timely manner and answered all my questions. They got the max amount possible, and from that, paid the medical bills and took their fair cut. I would not hesitate to recommend them to family or friends.

I would give ten stars if I could. This law firm is about as professional and friendly as it gets!! They stayed in constant contact with me and answered every question I had. I got a settlement that was higher than I expected and will definitely use this law firm again. I highly recommend hiring them to handle your legal issues!!

Fernando Lopez
a year ago

My experience with this team was superb, as they were ongoing with the case and making sure that the client gets what they deserve. I recommend anyone looking for a accident law group that this is the team you want to be representing you!!

Kimberly Legaspi
2 years ago

What can I say about the Thompson Law Firm? They are AMAZING!! It’s never fun when you need an accident lawyer because you are pretty much in a bad place. Shane and the staff have been wonderful, kept me informed at every step of this process. I would recommend Thompson Law Firm to anyone, in fact, I have referred several friends already!! Thank you Thompson Law Firm for everything you did for me!!!

Amanda Olney
2 years ago

These guys were absolutely amazing. They were very clear with me about what I needed to do on my end and I saw fast results. I just recommended them to a friend a week ago and he also dealt with my mother's case. I wouldn't see anyone else.

Malik
2 years ago

Karissa and Shane were amazing! They were there for any questions I had and checked up on me regularly. Highly recommend these guys!!

Karissa Murphy
2 years ago

Back To Top