Bicycle riding is a popular activity among families in the Tucson area and even serious cyclists find it a great place to train. Although local drivers might be more accustomed to cyclists than drivers in other cities, accidents still occur with alarming frequency.
Contact a Tucson bicycle accident lawyer when you or your child are injured while riding. At the Phillips Law Group, our legal professionals could work to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your accident-related losses.
Cyclists Are Entitled to Use the Roads
Drivers and cyclists often find it challenging to share the road. Drivers complain that the presence of cyclists is dangerous and distracting, while cyclists worry that drivers often seem to not see them. Both sides have valid points, but each must adapt because cyclists are entitled to use the road with the same obligations to obey traffic laws as motor vehicles.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-815 requires cyclists to keep to the far right to the degree possible. However, they may occupy the full lane if the shoulder is unsafe or they are preparing to turn left. Cyclists must use hand signals to indicate when they plan to turn or are slowing down or stopping. The law requires vehicles to allow cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
Motorists sometimes do not see cyclists because they are distracted or focused too intently on other vehicles. Others intentionally endanger cyclists through aggressive or reckless driving. A Tucson attorney could investigate any collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle to find evidence of driver negligence that triggers an obligation to pay compensation.
Bicycle Accident Injuries Are Often Severe
A cyclist is vulnerable to severe injuries when they get into a collision with a motor vehicle. Fatal cycling accidents happen regularly, and catastrophic injuries are not uncommon. Even when a cyclist’s injuries are relatively minor, they still require medical intervention and often force the rider to miss work or school while recovering.
Road rash, soft tissue injuries, and broken bones are typical injuries a cyclist might sustain. Depending on the circumstances, a cyclist could suffer disfiguring facial injuries and burns if they contact hot parts of the vehicle that hit them. More serious injuries include traumatic amputation, moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
When a Tucson attorney can prove a driver was negligent, they and their insurance companies are responsible for paying the cyclist’s damages. Compensation in these cases includes reimbursement for medical treatment and all services necessary to support the cyclist’s recovery, lost wages, and money for their psychological trauma, physical pain, and diminished quality of life after the accident.
Acting Quickly is Critical
Preserving the opportunity to obtain appropriate compensation depends on the rider and their family making some smart decisions immediately after the accident. The most critical is to get a medical evaluation, even if the injuries do not seem serious at first. The next important step is to engage a Tucson bike crash attorney to handle the claims process.
The insurance company for the at-fault driver is likely to approach an injured cyclist soon after the accident. They will probe for information about the incident and might even offer a quick settlement if the rider agrees not to sue. The best response to these approaches is to refuse to engage and refer the caller to the rider’s lawyer.
A legal representative can ensure settlement negotiations are fair and productive. When an attorney handles negotiations it shows the cyclist is prepared to stand up for their right to compensation and file a lawsuit if necessary. The law gives cyclists two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, and the insurance company has an incentive to reach a reasonable settlement when legal action is a viable threat.
Engage a Tucson Attorney to Handle a Bicycle Accident Claim
You do not need the stress of negotiating with insurance companies when you are recovering from painful and debilitating injuries. Trust a Tucson bicycle accident lawyer to handle your claim and obtain appropriate compensation.
Your time to act is limited, so get started as soon after the incident as possible. Reach out to a seasoned attorney today.
