Did you know Arizona is the third most dangerous state for cyclists, behind only Florida and Louisiana? If you’ve been hit or nearly hit by a car while riding your bike, you may not be very surprised to hear this statistic.
Just how dangerous is biking in Arizona? Why is Arizona biking so dangerous? What should you do if you or your loved one get hit by a car while bike riding?
The experienced bicycle accident lawyers at Wade & Nysather AZ Accident Attorneys want you to be well-informed before you put on your jersey and clip into your pedals, so here’s what you need to know about the dangers of biking in Arizona.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident involving another vehicle, contact the professional bike accident lawyers at Wade & Nysather for a free consultation.
How Dangerous Is it to Bike in Arizona?
265 bicyclists lost their lives in Arizona between 2010 and 2019, for an average of 3.69 deaths per 100,000 people. While this is significantly lower than Florida’s average of 6.18 bicyclist deaths per 100,000 people and a little less than Louisiana’s rate of 4.5 deaths per 100,000, it’s still 57% higher than the national average.
Why Does Arizona Have So Many Bicycle Accidents?
One thing many of the most dangerous states have in common is warm weather. With relatively mild winter temperatures and minimal rainfall throughout the year, Arizona weather makes it easy to get around on a bike. The more people ride bikes, the higher the likelihood of some of them being hit and killed.
Additionally, Arizona allows bikes to share traffic lanes with motorists, increasing the chances of a devastating bike accident.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Depending on the speed of impact, bike accident injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some of the most common bicycle accident collision injuries include:
- Concussion
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Broken bones, including arms, legs, ribs, or clavicles (collarbone)
- Road rash
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Contusions (bruises)
- Skull fracture
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury, including paralysis
- Dental fractures
- Ruptured spleen
- Hernia
Injured in a bike accident? Contact an expert bike crash lawyer at Wade & Nysather today and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We may be able to help you get compensation to cover your medical bills and more.
Tips for Staying Safe While Cycling
Nationwide, 846 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2019. Avoid becoming another statistic by following these tips:
- Wear a helmet and other protective gear
- Have lights or reflectors on your bike and wear reflective clothing
- Make sure your bike fits you and is in good working order
- Carry all items strapped to the back of the bike or in a backpack
- Keep both hands on the handlebars except when signaling a turn
- Tie your shoes and tuck your pant legs into your shoes
- Plan your route – stick with bike lanes or paths as much as possible
What Should I Do if I Get Hit by a Car While Cycling?
If you get hit by a car while riding a bicycle, you should take certain steps to have the best chances of recovering financial compensation down the road. The order in which you do these steps may vary depending on the severity of your injuries – don’t stop to take pictures if you have a bone poking through your skin or are bleeding profusely!
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor, you should get medical attention as soon as you can. Why?
In addition to the fact that your injuries may be more severe than you realize, getting prompt medical attention starts a paper trail proving that you were injured in the accident. It’s much more difficult to prove you were injured if you treat those injuries at home.
Gather Evidence
If you can, get photo or video evidence of the crash scene and collect the contact information of anybody who may have witnessed the accident. The more information you can collect to show that the vehicle driver was responsible for the accident – and your injuries – the better.
File a Police Report
If your injuries are minor enough, wait at the scene for the police to arrive and file a report. The police report is another part of the paper trail. It proves there was an accident and may help establish the driver as the at-fault party.
Contact a Bike Accident Lawyer
Don’t settle with the vehicle’s insurance company without talking to an expert bicycle accident lawyer first. You may be able to get more money than they are offering. Don’t leave extra money behind before getting a free consultation from a bike accident lawyer at Wade & Nysather.
Can I Sue the Driver if I Was Hit By a Car While Riding My Bike?
If the accident was the vehicle driver’s fault, their car insurance should pay for your injuries – but without the help of an expert bike accident lawyer, they’ll try to give you as little money as possible. After all, that’s how insurance companies make a profit.
A trustworthy bike accident attorney, like the ones you’ll find at Wade & Nysather, knows how to get the maximum compensation for your injuries and will even take the insurance company to court if necessary to get you the justice you deserve.
What if I Was Partly At Fault for the Accident?
Arizona is a comparative fault state, meaning you may still receive compensation if you were partly responsible for the accident, but it will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your actions as the bike rider were 25% responsible for the crash, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by 25%.
Can I Get Compensation if My Loved One Was Killed in a Biking Accident?
If your spouse, child, or parent was killed in a bicycle accident that was the fault of a motor vehicle driver, you may be able to get wrongful death compensation. Speak to a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer for more information.
Injured in a Cycling Accident? Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you were hit by a car while riding a bike and you live in the Scottsdale area, schedule a free consultation with the professional bicycle accident lawyers at Wade & Nysather today. We may be able to get you compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Schedule your FREE CONSULTATION.
