PHOENIX BICYCLE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

No Injury Protection for Bicyclists

Bicycle versus automobile collisions are an everyday occurrence. Unlike car-versus-car collisions, a bicycle does not afford a bicyclist any protection. There are no seatbelts. No bumpers. No air bags. As a result, when a motor vehicle collides with a bicyclist, it will typically result in significant injuries and damages.

At Shapiro Injury Law (Formerly know as Shapiro Law Group), we are well-versed on bicycle laws throughout the state of Arizona and have represented bicyclists from up north (Flagstaff) to down south (Tucson). It is important to hire an attorney that has experience in handling collisions that involve bicyclists as these cases involve issues that are not normally found in car versus car crashes (right-of-way issues, helmet issues, direction of travel issues, crosswalk issues, riding on sidewalk issues, etc.).



Recent Bicycle Injury Verdicts and Settlement

• $1.75 million: While riding his bicycle in a crosswalk, our client was struck by a distracted driver
• $745,000: While riding his bicycle, our client was struck by a vehicle exiting a private driveway
• $215,000: While riding her bicycle in an unmarked crosswalk, our client was struck by a vehicle making a turn from a side-street
  

No Uniform Bicycle Law in Arizona

Laws, regulations, and codes are determined county-by-county, city-by-city. This means that the law regarding the proper use of a bicycle is based upon the location of the collision. What might be legal in Phoenix could be a violation in Tempe.

An excellent example of this discrepancy is seen in Tempe City Code, Section 7-52(d), which states “any person riding a bicycle on a bikeway, sidewalk or bicycle path that is about to enter or cross a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic on such roadway.” In Phoenix, a bicyclist in a crosswalk has the right-of-way and a motorist must yield to the bicyclist. In Tempe, based upon its City Code, the exact opposite applies.

These types of nuances in the law can have a significant impact upon a motorist’s responsibility for a collision and may result in a police officer citing a bicyclist for a crash, when in fact, the driver of the motor vehicle actually violated the law. An inexperienced personal injury attorney might simply concede the liability issue which could cause a bicyclist to lose his/her case; whereas an experienced bicycle accident attorney has the ability to recognize and handle these issues to ensure a favorable outcome for the injured bicyclist. Hiring the right attorney to handle a bicycle versus vehicle collision could be the difference between winning or losing your case.

Head Injuries Suffered by Bicycle Riders: Experienced Attorneys

Another major hurdle for the injured bicyclist may be the occurrence of a head injury from a collision. Head injuries are a common occurrence in bicycle versus vehicle collisions. It is important for your attorney to understand the issues associated with a closed head injury or mild traumatic brain injury.

An experienced attorney knows how to hire experts that can recreate the collision if the head injury has resulted in a bicyclist’s inability to recall the facts of the collision (a common problem). An experienced attorney can ensure that your head injury is properly evaluated and assist you in seeking care from providers that will help you recover from the limitations associated with your head injury (immediate and proper evaluation plays a major role in an individual’s ability to recover from a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury). Occasionally, a helmet defense will be raised during the course of a claim. Did you know that bicycle helmets are not intended to prevent concussions?

An inexperienced attorney might overlook the differences between a motorcycle helmet and a bicycle helmet when evaluating liability and causation issues to the detriment of the injured bicyclist. Often times, a mild traumatic brain injury might simply be overlooked. An experienced bicycle collision attorney is aware of these issues and will ensure that these matters are not overlooked.

Shapiro Injury Law's (Formerly know as Shapiro Law Group) attorneys have handled bicycle versus vehicle collisions since the 1990s. We know how to handle the issues surrounding these crashes. We know how to ensure that you receive the very best care to assist you with your recovery from your injuries, and we are ready to pursue the maximum value of your injury claim. If you have any questions involving a bicycle collision, contact Shapiro Injury Law (Formerly know as Shapiro Law Group) for a free consultation.