Category: Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle use across the nation continues to increase each year, but despite this increase in ridership, the use of bicycle helmets remains low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than half of all cyclists wear helmets when they ride, a statistic that holds true among both adults and children.

Bicycle accidents take place every day in this nation and leave hundreds injured as a result. In fact, in 2010, approximately 800 cyclists lost their lives in accidents and another 515,000 people were injured so significantly that they required treatment in a hospital or other emergency setting. Of those who were hurt, approximately half were under the age of 20 and the other half were ages 21 and over, reflecting the fact that people of all ages ride bicycles and can be injured in bicycle collisions.
Continue reading “Bicycle Helmet Use Surprising Low, Riders Placed at Risk for Injuries”

In Arizona, cyclists can ride bicycles year-round due to the climate that covers most of the state. This means that regardless of the time of year, drivers of cars, trucks, and vans should be alert for bicyclists and should respect the rights of these cyclists to ride in the roads that cross Phoenix. Yet despite the presence of bicycles, despite the laws that protect riders, and despite the obvious risks that exist if a collision occurs, drivers regularly ignore safety and act in a manner that is dangerous to all those on the roads.

When an impact does happen and a bicycle accident results, it is important for victims to understand their legal options and rights so that they can act upon those rights within a time period specified by the law. Failure to take action in a timely manner can lead to a claim being barred forever so if you have been injured, you may want to speak with an experienced bike lawyer to ensure that you are protected.
Continue reading “Bicyclist Killed in Crash with Hit-and-Run Driver”

Bicyclists are at a disadvantage when traffic accidents occur because they tend to take up less space and have less protection than other vehicles involved. If that weren’t bad enough, though, cyclists are at an increased risk for collisions because they may be involved in all the same types of crashes facing cars but also in some bicycle-specific collisions. In addition to crashes caused by failures to yield or by speeding, a dooring incident may lead to a bicycle accident. Dooring occurs when a driver or a passenger in a vehicle opens a door into the oncoming path of a cyclist, causing the biker to strike the opened door. This is just one example of a type of crash that poses a threat to bicyclists but not to drivers of cars.

Where can a bicyclist turn once a collision occurs? This is a question often asked in Arizona and in Phoenix because many riders do not understand their rights, including whether they have a valid claim for relief. In many cases, victims of these collisions can bring a civil claim for their financial damages and can recover for any and all losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The laws can be complex so speaking with a personal injury lawyer can be beneficial in understanding your rights if you have been involved in a collision or if your loved one has been injured or killed.

Earlier this week, a crash occurred in Phoenix between a car and a bicycle, leaving the cyclist’s rider dead. The incident occurred near Pecos and 17th Avenue in the westbound lanes. Police have confirmed that prior to the impact, the bicyclist was in a marked lane for bicycle-only traffic when the collision occurred. Their investigation is ongoing at this time and officials are still trying to determine why the two vehicles collided, and whether either party involved erred prior to the crash.

It is not clear whether the driver of the car was injured or whether any citations will be issued as a result of this incident.
Continue reading “Bike Lane Crash Leaves Phoenix Cyclist Dead”

How do you choose to get around the Valley? Do you drive most of the time, preferring to control your own schedule and your own route as you drive? Do you prefer to take the bus or the light rail, finding public transportation to be easier and more affordable than driving yourself? If you are like a growing number of residents in the Valley, including those in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, and Chandler, you may ride a bicycle occasionally or regularly as you travel. Bike transit can be easy, efficient, and cost effective to many adults and children in the Valley, explaining some of its rise in popularity in recent years.

Yet with the increase in bicycle riders has unfortunately come a large number of bicycle accidents in Phoenix, many of which result in injuries or even death. These incidents can be complicated and the way they are treated by the law complex, leaving many victims wondering if they have any rights or whether there is anything they can do to obtain relief for their damages. Victims and their family members may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area to learn about what options may exist after a crash occurs, including whether a civil claim for monetary damages may be possible. In many bicycle crashes, relief is available if a victim seeks it within a time period specified by Arizona law.

Last week, a 23-year-old man was riding a bicycle on a sidewalk near the intersection of 59th Avenue and Roosevelt in Phoenix when a crash occurred. At this time, police believe the cyclist attempted to cross Roosevelt when a semi-truck in the area attempted to turn, crossing the intersection where the cyclist was riding. The truck struck the rider and knocked over the victim, trapping him under the truck and dragging him for a short distance before the victim became dislodged. At that time, it was apparent that the cyclists was critically injured and emergency crews ensured he was transported to an area hospital for help. Though doctors tended to him, the victim’s injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the bike crash.

Authorities are still reviewing all the relevant information in this incident to try and determine what caused the collision between the semi-truck and the cyclist, including whether either or both individuals involved erred prior to impact. It is not clear at this time whether any traffic citations will result from the collision or whether any charges will be brought.
Continue reading “Semi-Truck Strikes, Kills Bicyclist in Phoenix”

Police and local officials attempt to stop dangerous driving behaviors before they cause collisions. But unfortunately, every year, thousands of bicycle accidents continue to occur in Phoenix and across Arizona. These collisions cause significant damage to the vehicles and the bicycles involved but often, the worst damages stem from the personal injuries that are caused by a collision. Whether the injuries include broken or fractured bones, head or neck injuries, injuries to the shoulders, hips, or extremities, cuts and abrasions, or even scarring, these damages can lead to serious or even permanent conditions that require significant medical care.

These accidents and injuries cannot be erased once they occur but the victims of bicycle accidents in the Valley are not without relief. Victims may be entitled to bring a civil claim for damages against a responsible, at-fault motorist who caused a collision. In some cases, multiple claims may be possible against the driver of a car, the owner of a vehicle, or even a victim’s own insurance company. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, what types of relief may be possible in your case.

According to police in Tucson, a 23-year-old female was driving on Oracle Road southbound when she approached a 58-year-old riding a bicycle in a marked bicycle lane. The driver allegedly struck the bicyclist from behind, causing a collision that left the cyclist with serious injuries. According to witnesses, the driver fled the scene of the collision without calling for help or without checking on the status of the bicyclist.

Several witnesses reportedly were present when the collision occurred and one noticed authorities who responded to the scene. Emergency medical personnel assessed the bicyclist and transported the victim to an area hospital but the victim’s injuries were too severe and the cyclist was pronounced dead a short time after arrival. One witness to this morning’s collision followed the vehicle believed to have caused the crash until that vehicle came to a stop and parked in an apartment complex. The witness informed authorities of the location of the vehicle and a description of it, leading authorities to approach the 23-year-old suspect and arrest her. At the time of her arrest, authorities noticed signs of impairment and booked the driver on multiple charges including second degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident. Additional charges may be brought depending on the results of the ongoing investigation and drug tests done upon the suspect.
Continue reading “Arizona Driver Kills Bicyclist in Bike Lane, Flees Scene”

When driving in Phoenix or the surrounding cities and towns, how often have you noticed a bicyclist in the area? If you are like many drivers, the chances are that you seek bicycles every day as you travel the streets of Phoenix. While some areas, including Tempe, have a greater number of cyclists than others, the Valley itself is home to a large number of riders who utilize bicycles as a primary or secondary means of transportation.

That may not be surprising to most: it is legal to ride a bicycle in Phoenix where cyclists are provided with all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of cars, trucks or vans. But too often, the rights of these riders are not respected and a collision occurs, more often than not, leaving the bicyclist injured. When a bicycle accident takes place, many victims are unaware of their potential legal rights and what options may be available to them. Consulting with an attorney, especially one that represents personal injury victims, may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your damages, and if so, what avenues of recoveries may be available to you.

Many members of local and state governments across Arizona have made it clear that a safer bicycling environment is in the best interests of all citizens, whether or not they choose to ride. Limiting or reducing bicycle accidents will safe lives, prevent injuries, and reduce the financial damages to individuals and the state, including medical expenses that may be incurred by a victim.

The law in Arizona requires that motorists, or those in a vehicle, who intend to pass a bicycle do so in a safe and reasonable manner. Providing a safe passing distance between a car and a bicycle is a requirement and failure to do so is not only hazardous but can lead to a traffic citation on the part of an offending operator. The Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety uses a slogan on their website stating, “Share the streets, give a bike five feet” to help motorists remember that increasing the distance between their vehicle and a bicycle substantially reduces the odds of a collision occurring, thereby preventing injuries that may have resulted.

Some states across the nation have enacted stronger legislation to govern the required minimum space a car must leave between itself and a bicyclist when passing. For example, in 2013, California passed a requirement mandating a three-foot space between any vehicle and a bicycle when passing that cyclist. If motorists are not able to leave a three foot space, they are required to reduce their speed and pass the bicyclist slowly, putting safety first. Failure to leave either three feet of space or to reduce a vehicle’s speed when passing can trigger a traffic ticket to a motorist that begins at $35.
Continue reading “Safe Driving in Phoenix when Bicycles are Present”

Riding a bicycle is no longer just for children. In Phoenix and across the Valley, adults are also taking to the streets to ride on two wheels both for exercise and for transit. In response to an increased interest in bicycling and an increase in ridership, several Arizona cities have made their roadways more bike-friendly by adding bicycle only lanes, designating bicycle trails, and adding cycle-specific traffic lights.

In fact, bicycling.com recently ranked the top 50 cities in the United States for riding a bicycle and three Arizona cities made the list. Tucson was ranked 12th, Scottsdale was ranked 15th, and Tempe was ranked 18th. If you live in or work in these areas, that may not surprise you as you are likely to see riders on a daily basis. Yet it is a good reminder of the great advantages facing cyclists in these towns and in many other parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

With bicyclists taking to the roads, unfortunately bicycle accidents take place in Phoenix and across the rest of Arizona. These collisions are often severe and may result in serious injuries or even death. Though the victims of these crashes may be forced to deal with the damages, they may be entitled to seek financial relief to help ease the burden of their losses, including the medical expenses they must incur. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in an accident.

A cyclist riding in Phoenix was killed in a hit-and-run accident last night, according to local police. The incident took place in the area of Osborn and 43rd Avenue at approximately 8:30 p.m. and involved two separate vehicles. Witnesses reported a dark Jeep in the area striking the cyclist and knocking the rider to the ground. A second vehicle approached the site and was unable to avoid the cyclist and struck him a second time. Witnesses reported that the driver of the Jeep fled the scene of the accident without stopping to check on the condition of the rider or without alerting authorities.

The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene of the crash and spoke with police. At this time, police believe that impairment was not a factor regarding that driver and have reported that the second driver is cooperating fully. Police instead are looking for any information regarding the dark colored Jeep that was involved in the crash, including any information on who may have been driving that vehicle.
Continue reading “Cyclist Killed in Phoenix by Fleeing Driver”

Bicycling is a popular activity in Phoenix and across Arizona as the weather in the area makes it possible year-round. Though you are more likely to see cyclists when the temperatures are mild than you are during the mid-summer heat waves, bike riders are present in the valley every month of every year. One reason for this is that the laws in Arizona authorize cyclists to ride in the roads much like a car is authorized to drive on them, leading to the legal riding of a bicycle across Phoenix.

But even though it is legal for bicyclists to ride, and even though it is an affordable and efficient means of transportation, there are inherent dangers to those on a bike, often taking the form of vehicular traffic. If the driver of a car, truck, or van fails to notice a bicycle or fails to acknowledge the rights of the rider, a bicycle accident can result, potentially leading to injuries. When this is caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of a driver, an injured bicyclist may be entitled to relief for his or her damages that result from the crash, including medical and surgical bills that may be incurred. Speaking with a lawyer in Phoenix who has experienced representing victims of bicycle accidents may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt in a crash.

A collision between bicyclists and a minivan took place at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday in Cornville and one rider lost her life as a result. Police investigated the incident and believe that a 90-year-old man driving a minivan approached three bicyclists on Cornville Road, west of Beaverhead Flats Road. The man allegedly told authorities that he believed he had room to pass the bicyclists and attempted to do so as he drove, striking the rear-most rider and causing a crash. The rider, a 48-year-old woman, was thrown from her bicycle and onto the driver’s windshield before being thrown to the ground. The driver reportedly ran over the victim’s bicycle and dragged it for some distance following the first impact.

A 52-year-old man and his 16-year-old daughter were riding a tandem bicycle some distance in front of the 48-year-old woman and both the man and his daughter were also thrown off their bicycle, though the cause of that remains unclear. Emergency medical crews responded to the crash and transported the 48-year-old woman by air ambulance to Flagstaff Medical Center while the 52-year-old man and his daughter were transported to Valley Medical Center. The man and his daughter were not seriously injured but the damage done to the 48-year-old woman was extreme, leading to her death on Saturday evening.
Continue reading “Elderly Driver Causes Crash with 3 Bicyclists in Cornville, Killing 1”

Spring time weather has hit Phoenix and it looks like it is here to stay. The mild temperature combined with the generally sunny weather means that many people are hitting the roads on bicycles, either for transportation or for exercise. With an increased presence of cyclists often comes an increase in the number of bicycle versus automobile collisions with those on bikes usually suffering injuries.

When an accident involving a bicyclist occurs, the same rules and laws that govern car accidents come into play. Those involved in the collision are required to remain at the scene until they are cleared by police and tickets may be issued to anyone determined to have violated a law. Despite these requirements, drivers in Phoenix continue to ignore their duties with many drivers fleeing the scene of a bicycle accident involving a cyclist. In the event a fleeing driver is later apprehended, the legal charges faced are likely to be greater as additional counts may be added for a hit-and-run accident.

Victims of bicycle accident may be entitled to seek relief for the injuries they sustain in a crash. These claims can provide payments to cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering that must be endured as a result of an accident. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in the Phoenix area may help you understand whether you have a valid claim, and if so, whether you may be entitled to financial relief.

Authorities with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene of an accident involving three people walking bicycles on Saturday night. The incident, which happened near 115th Avenue and Happy Valley Road, allegedly occurred when a pickup truck traveling near the bicyclists entered the shoulder of the road and struck the cyclists as they walked. The driver of the pickup truck then fled the scene without providing any information to the police or the victims of the crash.

All three bicyclists were injured in the incident and needed medical treatment. One cyclist’s injuries were serious and required that individual be transported by air ambulance to a local hospital.
Continue reading “Hit-And-Run Driver Strikes 3 Bicyclists in Maricopa County”

Phoenix and the surrounding areas are experiencing a large number of bicyclists every year. Arizona’s mild climate for much of the year, sprawl-style layout of many of the cities, and the affordable nature of bicycles are leading to an increase in their popularity, making them visible in almost any city on any given day of the year.

With this increase in bicycle traffic has unfortunately come an increase in bicycle accidents. These accidents can occur between multiple cyclists or between a cyclist and a vehicle, whether that is a car, truck or van. When a vehicle and a bicyclist collide, injuries almost always result and they can be serious. In the worst accidents, a bicyclist can be killed in a crash.

Local police have reported a fatal bicycle collision between a cyclist in his 50s and a car in Phoenix last night. The cyclist, who has not yet been identified, was reportedly riding southbound on East McDowell Road near 28th Avenue shortly after 6:00 p.m. For reasons that are not yet known, a car in the area collided with the bicyclist, causing a collision that knocked the biker to the ground. Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported the biker to an area hospital but his injuries were too severe and he died a short time later.

The driver of the car was uninjured in the accident as were other passengers in the vehicle. According to authorities, none required medical treatment. At this time, police are still investigating the incident and trying to determine what caused the crash, including whether any person involved acted in a negligent or a reckless manner.

When the negligent actions of another cause an accident that leaves a victim injured or killed, the laws in Phoenix allow that victim to seek proper and just compensation for any injuries incurred. This can be brought through a personal injury claim, a civil claim in the Arizona system that enables a victim to seek a financial recovery to pay for injuries. Often, these claims seek reimbursement for expenses like medical bills, surgical costs, and lost income in addition to compensatory amounts for pain and suffering.
Continue reading “Phoenix Bicyclist Killed in Crash with Car”