PHOENIX ARIZONA BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS
The bicycle accident lawyers at the Schmidt Law Group in Arizona work with victims and their families to help them seek damages for their losses and justice for their injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident, you may be facing unique challenges. Because bicyclists don’t have the protective chassis of a car, when bike riders are struck by an automobile, they can face more serious injuries, are at greater risk of disabling injury, and may require a longer recovery period. To make matters worse, bike riders, unlike drivers, aren’t protected under their own automobile insurance, so injured bicyclists often have to make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This can make the claims process complicated because sometimes insurance adjusters may be biased against bike riders and may try to blame the bicyclist for the accident.
Bike riders are vulnerable road users. Drivers may not always be looking out for bicyclists, cities may not always have bike lanes, and road design may not always take biker safety into account. In the aftermath of an accident, bikers may face bias from drivers and even sometimes from police and insurance adjusters. This is why injured bike riders may want to reach out to a bike accident attorney at the Schmidt Law Group in Arizona.
The Schmidt Law Group is a bicycle accident law firm in Arizona that works with people who have been hurt in bike accidents. If you’ve been hurt, reach out to our bike accident lawyers today. We can review the details of your case, estimate the value of your claim, fight to help you get the insurance settlement you may deserve, and negotiate with negligent parties to help you get the claim you need to pay your medical bills and heal.
Biking is a great alternative form of transportation as it helps protect our environment and is a wonderful way to get in your daily exercise. However, with the growing number of cars on the road and an increased number of distracted drivers, biking is becoming tremendously dangerous. Many bike riders are aware of the risks and take steps to be responsible road users. Drivers, however, may be distracted, texting and driving, drunk, or not following the rules of the road. When a driver makes a mistake, the person most likely to become seriously injured is the bike rider. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a bike accident, reach out to the Arizona bike accident attorneys at the Schmidt Law Group today.
Your Rights After an Arizona Bike Accident
What are your rights after an Arizona bike accident? If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident, the adrenaline and confusion at the scene of the crash can be immense. The best thing you can do to protect your rights is to call the police, seek medical attention, and exchange contact information with drivers and others involved. Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is still a good idea to file a police report, especially if another driver was involved in your accident. Some types of head injuries may not be immediately apparent after a crash. Other bicyclists sometimes suffer post-traumatic stress disorder after bike accidents, making it hard for them to get back to riding. Additionally, by reporting accidents to police, you require police and city officials record the crash. City design is often not friendly to bicyclists. When accidents are reported, city officials, city planners, and road designers can look at accident reports to someday make better design and planning decisions to keep bike riders safe.
So, the takeaway is this: always report a bike accident to police.
When the police do arrive, be aware that police may sometimes be biased against riders. Do your best to make sure that police hear your side of the story and your version of events in the accident. If police don’t take down your statement, the bike accident lawyers at the Schmidt Law Group in Arizona may be able to investigate what happened at the scene of the crash and help you add your story to the police report. If other people saw what happened, write down their names and contact information.
In the hours and days after a bike accident, you’ll want to seek medical attention, document your injuries, and preserve evidence. If you’ve been seriously injured, are facing unexpected medical expenses, lost wages due to missed time at work, or are experiencing pain and suffering damages, reach out to a bike accident attorney in Arizona at the Schmidt Law Group today. Our bike accident lawyers can review the details of your case, estimate the value of your claim, and negotiate with insurers and other parties to help you get the settlement you may deserve under the law.
WHAT CAUSES A BIKE ACCIDENT?
In 2014, 1,742 bicycle accidents occurred in Arizona. There are many factors that can lead to a bike accident. Factors include:
- Drunk/distracted driving
- Not yielding right-of-way to cyclers
- Opening a car door and hitting the bicyclist
- Lane intrusion
- Speeding
- Changing lanes without checking first
- Not following traffic lights/signs
These are just some of the causes of bike accidents in Arizona. If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident in Arizona, you may have rights under the law. Reach out to the Arizona bike accident lawyer at the Schmidt Law Group today. Our bike accident attorney can review your case, determine the cause of your accident, and help you fight for your rights. You may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages following a bike accident in Arizona. Reach out to the bike accident lawyer at the Schmidt Law Group today.
