Bicycle Accidents

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Mesa, AZ, especially with a larger vehicle, your injuries may be severe, and your recovery may take weeks or months. Being that the statute of limitations, or deadline for filing your claim, is two years from the date of the accident, call Zanes Law at (866) 499-8989 for a free case evaluation right away.

Bicyclists and Motorists Share the Same Road

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, it is legal for bicycles to ride in Arizona traffic lanes. Both cyclists and motorists have laws they must obey to drive safely and keep other drivers safe on public roads. These include:

For Drivers

• Slowing down when sharing the road with a bicycle;
• Giving bicycles extra time to cross intersections;
• Being familiar with directional hand signals;
• Allowing a bicycle to use the entire lane if there are hazards in the road;
• Passing a bicycle very slowly; and,
• Watching for children at all times.

For Bicyclists

• Being visible;
• Riding defensively;
• Using the correct hand signals and obeying all laws;
• Not riding on the sidewalk;
• Wearing a helmet to protect your head; and,
• Riding on the right side of the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 783 bicyclists killed on the road in 2017. If a bicyclist and a motorist collide, it is the bicyclist that will suffer the most serious and life-threatening injuries because he or she is not protected by the size and weight of an automobile. If you have been in a bicycle accident, your injuries can range from a sprained hand to a traumatic brain injury impacting you for the rest of your life. As with any injury sustained in an accident, you may not know how badly you are injured until hours or days after the accident.

Seeking Medical Care as Soon as Possible

A Mesa bicycle accident lawyer will advise you to see a doctor as soon as possible after the accident because your health should be your first priority. If you wish to file a claim for damages, you will need to show that your injuries necessitated medical treatment.

Your lawyer will collect all the evidence related to your case, including medical reports, police reports, eyewitness statements, photos, videos, and any other relevant paperwork, to help prove your case.

Understanding Arizona Insurance Regulations

Arizona’s insurance laws state that the person who is at fault for the accident is responsible for any injuries and compensable damages that resulted from the accident and does not share liability with the accident victim, as he or she would in a no-fault car insurance state.

Speaking with the Insurance Company

When you report the claim to the driver’s insurance company, give it the information it needs to document the accident but do not admit guilt. If they want you to record a statement, you have the right to refuse. It may also try to dissuade you from contacting an attorney or offer to pay you money if you sign a release. Do nothing until you speak to an attorney.

They may purposefully delay responding to your emails, letters, or phone calls. They can ask for your medical records and look at your social media pages. They may try to blame you for your own injuries. Before consenting to anything the insurance company requests, speak with your Mesa bicycle accident lawyer.

Recoverable Damages in a Bicycle Accident

If you were seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you may be able to file a claim for the damages you experienced in the accident, including:

• Your current medical expenses, including the cost of medical supplies and assistive devices, costs related to hospital stays, medical appointments, transportation to and from medical appointments, expenses related to rehabilitative or therapeutic interventions, and prescription medications;
• Your future medical expenses;
• Your current lost wages;
• Your future lost wages;
• Cost of hiring household help if you cannot perform your regular household duties; and,
• The cost of job retraining if you cannot return to your prior employment.

Your attorney will help you determine the value of your damages and property losses to make sure you have included everything.

Call a Mesa Bicycle Accident Lawyer from Zanes Law Today

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in Mesa, AZ, Zanes Law at (866) 499-8989 will help you get the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Call us for a free case evaluation. We will take care of your legal needs while you recover from your injuries and get back on the road again.