Tucson Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Tucson Bike Injury Law Attorney

Bicycles are fun to ride and a low-cost, accessible means of alternative local transportation for many people in Tucson. Some people ride bikes for pleasure and for exercise; others use them to commute around the area.

While there are several advantages that bicycling can provide to anyone, it is vital for every bicyclist in the Tucson area to know the risks they face when they ride near motor vehicle traffic. They must also know what to do when an accident occurs and how they can recover their damages.

Helping Bicycle Accident Victims Recover in Tucson, AZ

If you or a family member recently experienced a bicycle accident, it is possible for the incident to have caused tremendous physical harm and a host of economic problems for your family. Whenever a motor vehicle driver hits a bicyclist, the victim is likely to suffer severe injuries, even if they were wearing appropriate safety equipment.

When this type of accident occurs, the victim needs to know how they can recover their losses and the value of experienced legal representation.

Bleaman Law Firm, PC, can provide the legal counsel you need in this challenging situation. Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have assisted many clients in the Tucson area with a variety of civil claims for damages.

We know how damaging any bicycle accident can be and the many legal questions the victim is likely to have concerning their recovery. Whatever your case may entail, you can rely on our firm to provide compassionate legal support through every phase of your recovery process.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Tucson

There are many bike lanes in Tucson and areas where cyclists can enjoy riding their bikes in relative safety, but bicyclists have the right to ride on many local roads that are also open to motor vehicle traffic.

It’s important for drivers to yield accordingly and provide bicyclists with the same respect they extend to other motor vehicle drivers, but not all motorists uphold this duty of care.

Bicycle accidents most often occur due to negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care in certain situations, but they may also happen from intentional misconduct. Some of the commonly cited reasons for bicycle accidents in Tucson include:

• Distracted driving. Throughout the country, this is the most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, and bicyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted drivers. They are smaller and easier to overlook than other vehicles, and a driver who is not paying attention to the road and their surroundings is a danger to themselves and others around them. Texting while driving is the most common form of distracted driving that causes accidents in Tucson on a regular basis.
• Accidents are not only more likely to happen when drivers exceed posted speed limits, but they are also more likely to cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. This is especially true when a motor vehicle driver hits a bicyclist at considerable speed.
• Moving violations. All drivers have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and obey posted signals and speed limits. Whenever a driver disrupts the flow of traffic, they can easily cause an accident, and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to these incidents.
• Aggressive or reckless driving. Unfortunately, some drivers willfully engage in dangerous misconduct while driving, such as excessive speeding, tailgating, swerving, and illegal passing. This conduct can lead to criminal charges when it results in an accident.
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. This is illegal in every state, and the penalties for DUI conviction often include fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension. The defendant’s penalties will automatically increase when they cause severe injury or death to another party.

Ultimately, if any driver’s negligence or intentional misconduct while driving caused your recent bicycle accident, they are liable for all your resulting damages. After proving liability for your bicycle accident, the next step of your recovery process is likely to be an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, and if their insurance cannot fully compensate you for your damages, you will need to file a personal injury suit against them to recover the rest.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After Accidents in Tucson

Arizona law requires every driver to have auto insurance that meets Arizona’s minimum coverage requirements. A bicycle accident is technically a vehicle accident, so the injured rider may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy for some initial compensation after an accident.

However, it is unlikely that their insurance will fully compensate the victim’s losses, especially if the accident caused catastrophic injuries. Additionally, dealing with insurance company representatives can be very challenging, even under seemingly ideal circumstances.

Your Tucson bicycle accident attorney can assist you with filing your insurance claim, and if the insurance company does not handle your claim properly, they can be ready to address any such issues for you.

The Bleaman Law Firm, PC, has years of professional experience helping clients confront the major insurance carriers of the Tucson area, and we know the tactics they use to try to avoid liability for legitimate claims. We can ensure they handle your claim appropriately and that you receive a fair settlement offer under the terms of an at-fault driver’s policy.

While an insurance claim may provide some compensation relatively quickly after your accident, there is no guarantee that the at-fault driver will have enough coverage for the scope of your damages or even that they will have insurance at all.

Having an experienced Tucson bicycle accident attorney representing you will ensure you are fully prepared for these issues, and they can be essential for pursuing further legal recourse with a personal injury suit.

Recovering Through a Personal Injury Claim for Your Bicycle Accident

After you secure as much compensation as possible with your insurance claim against the at-fault driver, your Tucson bicycle accident attorney can help build your personal injury claim to recover your remaining damages.

Under Arizona law, the defendant is responsible for all financial losses they inflicted with their negligence or misconduct, and they are responsible for compensating you for your pain and suffering.

Bicycle accidents tend to result in serious injuries, such as traumatic brain damage and broken bones. The defendant who caused your bicycle accident must repay the cost of all medical expenses you incur to reach full recovery from your injuries.

This includes hospital bills and ongoing expenses for rehabilitation. Similarly, they are also responsible for your immediate and future lost wages. Many bicycle accident victims are left unable to work for extended periods, and the defendants responsible for these incidents face liability for victims’ lost wages.

You can also claim compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn due to the severity of your injuries.

Aside from medical expenses, lost income, and the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle, you also have the right to claim compensation for the non-economic damages you suffered in your accident. Arizona law doesn’t place any limits on pain and suffering compensation in personal injury claims, so if you suffered any catastrophic injuries, it could form the bulk of your total case award.

Calculating pain and suffering can be difficult, but your Tucson bicycle accident attorney can help determine a fair amount to reflect the severity of your injuries and any long-term or permanent medical conditions you suffer because of them.

A plaintiff who has suffered catastrophic permanent harm from a personal injury could receive several times more than the total of their economic damages to reflect their pain and suffering.

Resolving Your Bicycle Accident Claim in Tucson

Proving liability for a bicycle accident may hinge on witness testimony, driver cell phone records, and traffic camera footage from around the scene of the crash. Once you have asserted liability for your accident, your Tucson bicycle accident attorney can assess the scope of your claimable damages and help compile your personal injury case against the at-fault driver. Once you submit your complaint to the court, your case may proceed to settlement negotiations or litigation.

The settlement process allows the parties involved in a civil suit to resolve their case without the stress, expense, and time required of litigation. However, both parties must be willing to negotiate for a settlement to work.

If they cannot resolve their case through settlement, they will need to litigate. During litigation, a civil court judge will review all pertinent evidence and testimony before delivering a final ruling on liability for the plaintiff’s damages and the total amount of their recovery.

Bleaman Law Firm, PC, approaches every personal injury case we accept with the goal of streamlining our client’s recovery and helping them secure as much compensation as possible for their damages.

We have helped many past clients recover substantial case awards and know how to navigate the most complex claims efficiently. The sooner you secure legal counsel you can trust after an accident, the better your chances are of maximizing your compensation.

If you want to learn how an experienced Tucson bicycle accident attorney can empower your recovery efforts, contact us today and schedule your consultation with our team.