Tempe Bicycle Accident Lawyer

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation,  33 bicyclist fatalities occurred in Arizona in 2020. Tempe, Arizona, has a variety of multi-use paths that are ideal for cycling. There are certain laws in place for motorists that relate to sharing the road with cyclists safely. Despite this, bicycle accidents still occur in Tempe and the areas surrounding. These types of accidents can lead to devastating injuries that can change a person’s life in an instant. Arizona laws are made to hold negligent parties liable for injuries that stem from an accident, including any financial losses the victim experiences. This is why you should immediately contact a Tempe bicycle accident lawyer if you’ve been involved in a bike accident.

What to Expect From Your Bicycle Accident Case in Tempe 

If you were involved in a bicycle accident in Tempe, you may be wondering what you should expect when you’re attempting to hold the person responsible for the accident accountable. Here’s a general idea of how a bicycle accident case may work:

• Your attorney will evaluate the details of the case to decide on the liable party for the injuries you sustained.
• Throughout their investigation, they’ll collect the evidence required to support your case.
• They’ll assess the different ways your life was impacted by your injuries to accurately calculate your claim’s value.
• They’ll file the claim with the responsible party’s insurance provider.
• They’ll prepare your case for court if they’re unsuccessful in recovering the compensation you’re entitled to through the insurance claim.

Keep in mind that this is just a general idea of how the claim process may go for your bicycle accident case. Each person’s claim process can vary significantly depending on the circumstances and complexity of the case.

By contacting a Tempe bicycle accident attorney, you can get a better understanding of what you should expect from your bike accident claim and the specific details of your resulting injuries.

What Compensation Is Available Following a Tempe Bicycle Accident? 

The compensation you may be entitled to after your bicycle accident in Tempe will depend on the circumstances and facts of your accident and the extent of the injuries you sustained. Cyclists that are hit by a motor vehicle frequently suffer very severe injuries since the only protection they have is a helmet, if they’re wearing one.

If awarded compensation for your injuries and damages, you should be able to expect compensation for your medical expenses, including:

• Doctor expenses
• ER costs
• Hospital costs
• Prescription medication costs
• Rehabilitative therapy costs
• Other costs

Future lost wages are calculated by considering the type of job you were working at the time of your bicycle accident, the trajectory of your career, and your education. Lost wages and medical expenses are considered “special” damages since they are simple to quantify and there are clear numbers associated with lost wages and medical expenses. 

Non-economic damages are harder to compute since they’re more subjective. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, physical pain, and mental trauma like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Damages may also include you not being able to accomplish your daily tasks that were once easy to perform before your accident. 

Bicyclist Rights and Responsibilities in Tempe, Arizona 

The responsibilities and rights of bicyclists will vary by state and municipality. State law in Arizona views bikes as vehicles, therefore, they have similar responsibilities and rights on the roads as other vehicles. In general, bicycles can operate on roads, with the exception of highways and interstates. Similar to motor vehicles, bicycles also have to obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles since they operate on local roads. Certain laws will have a particularly essential bearing on determining fault following a bicycle accident.

• Bicyclists also need to obey traffic signals: For example, they must follow the rules of stop signs, stop lights, and yield the right-of-way when it is appropriate to do so. Along with this, bike operators also must not split lanes of traffic and must signal their indication to turn.
• Bicyclists must know the helmet law: Arizona State doesn’t require bicycle riders to wear a helmet. However, there are some cities, like Tempe, that do require a helmet for bike riders under 18 years old. Wearing a helmet will greatly decrease your risk of injuries like traumatic brain injury and even death.
• Bicyclists must know equipment requirements: In Arizona, all bicycles must have white headlights and red rear reflectors. They must have a seat for each rider and riders need to ensure their bicycles are well maintained before they head out on the road.

Following a bicycle accident, insurance providers will conduct their own investigation into the accident to make the decision on who is the liable party for damages. Knowing the responsibilities and rights of bicycle operation and ownership can help keep you compliant with all laws and decrease your chance of being held partially liable for the accident.

Let Our Tempe Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Feller & Wendt Help 

If you’re involved in a bicycle accident in Tempe, you could be entitled to compensation for your suffering, pain, potential medical expenses related to the accident, and lost wages. At Feller & Wendt, we understand that when a person becomes injured in a bike accident, it places a lot of strain and stress on not just the person, but their whole family. This is why we handle all logistics of your bicycle accident case, including law enforcement, insurance companies, and other lawyers. This will allow you to focus on healing and recovering.

We will fight your case for the best possible outcome. Contact us today at (480) 702-2277 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with one of our highly experienced Tempe bicycle accident lawyers about your case.