Difference Between Bike and Car Accident Claims

In Arizona, bicycles are classified as vehicles, but different rules of the road apply to cars and bicycles. After an accident, cyclists usually have far more severe physical injuries, higher medical costs, and a greater chance of needing long-term care than someone involved in a car accident. 

To make a claim for compensation, an experienced Phoenix bicycle accident lawyer is essential to navigating these differences.

Why Cyclist Injuries Are More Life-Altering

Drivers are protected by roughly two tons of steel, airbags, and seatbelts when they are behind the wheel. Cyclists have none of this protection, and it’s not uncommon for them to experience spinal damage, a traumatic brain injury, and other serious injuries from a collision with a car.

As a result, the costs of medical treatment and long-term care for injured cyclists can be astronomical and far exceed the treatment needed by those in a car accident. If a cyclist is left with a permanent disability, they also may not be able to earn a living anymore. 

Cyclists and Drivers on the Road

In Phoenix, cyclists must do their part in staying safe by following applicable laws. More specifically, cyclists must:

• Ride in the same direction as traffic, with no more than two cyclists side by side if riding in a group
• Obey traffic signals and signs
• Install a light in front of the bike that is visible 500 feet away at night and red reflectors on the back of the bike
• Always have at least one hand on the handlebars
• Yield to traffic that has the right of way
• Stay as close to the right side of the roadway as possible (unless turning, passing, or avoiding hazards)
• Yield to pedestrians if riding on the sidewalk, and give an audible signal before passing

A cyclist who does not abide by these rules may be found liable for all or part of an accident.

Drivers must do their part to avoid putting cyclists in danger, as well. For example, Arizona law requires that drivers leave at least three feet between the car and the rider when passing.

Determining Liability in Bicycle and Car Accidents

Liability for any accident in Arizona is based on who was at fault. Arizona is a comparative fault state, which means that compensation for an injury is adjusted based on the percentage fault each person had in the accident.

Drivers are frequently held responsible for an accident involving a bike. However, insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that the cyclist was reckless and should not be entitled to pain and suffering in bike accident claims. 

Gage Mathers Understands Arizona Traffic Laws

The award-winning legal team at Gage Mathers Law Group will aggressively fight to maximize your compensation so you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track. We’ve represented thousands of accident victims over the last two decades and boast a 99.9% success rate for our clients. 

Contact us today for a free consultation and an honest opinion about your legal options!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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