Flagstaff has a more temperate climate and also many more changes in elevation than most other parts of Arizona, which can make it an uncommonly nice or uncommonly challenging place to ride your bike depending on the perspective. Unfortunately, the rising rate of cyclist injuries from motor vehicle collisions is a matter of provable fact rather than perspective, both in Flagstaff and all over the Grand Canyon State.
If you were recently struck by a negligent driver while riding your bike, you very likely have grounds to file a civil suit against that driver with help from a personal injury attorney. However, if you want the best chance possible of securing a favorable case result, you should strongly consider retaining an experienced Flagstaff bicycle accident lawyer from Phillips Law Group who has handled cases like yours successfully before.
Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes
Many of the same “negligent” acts — meaning actions which violate the “duty of care” all drivers have to act lawfully and responsibly behind the wheel — which can lead to collision between two motor vehicles can also lead to collisions with bicycles, with some of the most common being:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way properly
- Failure to check blind spots before turning
- “Dooring,” or opening a car door directly into an oncoming bicyclist’s path
- Driving while drunk, high, distracted, or extremely fatigued
Even at low speeds, this sort of accident can lead to a bicyclist suffering long-lasting and expensive injuries like lacerations, ligament tears, and broken bones, particularly in the legs, arms, and hands. Higher-speed collisions may result in catastrophic damage to the spinal cord, brain, or internal organs, which might necessitate civil recovery for long-term losses of working capacity, physical comfort, and overall quality of life. A qualified Flagstaff bicycle accident attorney can help demand fair and comprehensive compensation in either scenario.
Are Drivers Always at Fault for Collisions With Bicyclists?
While motor vehicle drivers are very often the parties primarily at fault for bicycle crashes in Flagstaff, they are certainly not the only ones who could hold civil liability for such a wreck. For example, if a bicycle crash happens partly because of a faulty component in the bike itself or a poorly maintained bike lane, the bicycle’s manufacturer or a local municipal authority may hold some of the blame for the bicyclist’s injuries.
Conversely, a bicyclist who swerves out in front of an oncoming car, runs a stop sign or red light, or otherwise acts “negligently” themselves before a collision may have a share of “comparative fault” assigned to them by a court. As a bicycle injury lawyer in Flagstaff can explain, this might then lead to whatever damage award that bicyclist ultimately receives being reduced in proportion to their share of total fault for the incident.
Let a Flagstaff Bicycle Accident Attorney Help
Riding a bicycle on or around active roadways can be dangerous even if you as a bicyclist are as safe and responsible as any person possibly could be. Fortunately, if you end up getting hurt while riding because someone else around you was irresponsible, you may be able to hold them financially liable for every form of harm your crash has already caused you and will cause you in the future.
Guidance from a capable Flagstaff bicycle accident lawyer can make a world of difference in how well you can understand and enforce your rights after a wreck which was not your fault. Call a member of our team at Phillips Law Group today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. Our firm has been proudly serving the local community for over 30 years and we are confident we can be a source of guidance and comfort during a stressful time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to begin talking with a trusted advocate today!
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