Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Tucson, Arizona

While you fight to regain your health after a bicycle accident, let us fight for the monetary compensation you are due.

Cycling is hugely popular in Tucson and throughout Arizona thanks to the great weather, large bike events, the health benefits and beyond. Unfortunately though, bicycle accidents, particularly those involving motor vehicles, are very common too and can easily lead to catastrophic injuries with medical expenses that start to add up quickly. If you weren't responsible for your bike accident, then you shouldn't be responsible for paying all these medical bills and other losses.

Bicyclists also face much higher risks of injuries and fatalities when they are involved in accidents with motor vehicles. Unlike people inside a car, cyclists do not have the protection afforded by the metal frames of vehicular cabs. They are largely unprotected from the environment and absorb more of the physical forces that are released in collisions. As a result, bike accident victims are far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries when they are struck by cars.

The Tucson bike accident attorneys at AZ Injury Law regularly help injured bicyclists and the families of those who are killed to recover compensation for their losses. Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian will put our 120+ years of combined experience to work for you in the pursuit of justice in cycling-related or bike accident claims.

We are Tucson, Arizona's premier personal injury firm specializing in all types of serious bike accident cases including:

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Dangerous roadways
Product defects
Speeding
Reckless or aggressive driving (including following too close, road rage, etc.)
Running a stop sign or red light
Unsafe turns or an unsafe lane changes
Being inattentive
Distracted driving (i.e. cell phones, passengers, eating food, etc.)
Unsafe lane changes
Failing to yield
Failing to signal
"Dooring" or striking a bicyclist with a car door
Parallel-path accidents
Crossing-path accidents

Injury Due to Bicycle Accidents

The fair compensation you deserve requires the right bicycle accident attorney.

People who are involved in bicycle accidents have a much greater risk of suffering serious injuries or fatalities than are people who are riding in cars. Multiple factors may contribute to bicycle accidents, including the weather, road conditions, visibility and negligence. Whether you are an avid cyclist or just happened to be badly hurt in a bike accident, we have helped injury victims who have suffered a wide range of serious and catastrophic injuries from a bike accident in Arizona.

When bike accidents result from the negligent conduct of motorists, the victims or their families may be able to recover significant damages with the help of the Tucson bike accident law firm of Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian. Common bicycle accident injuries that you may be entitled to compensation for include:

Broken bones
Neck injuries
Back injuries
Concussions
Herniated disks
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Skull and facial fractures
Serious lacerations
Rib and thoracic fractures
Spinal injuries
Fractures to the pelvis
Fractures of the legs, arms, hands or feet
Cuts, bruises and road rash
Amputations
Damage to the internal organs
Internal bleeding

Bicycle Accidents and Children

Unfortunately, the number of children injured while riding bicycles is growing every year, especially those hit by motor vehicles. Because the injuries your child sustained may be substantial and the sadness could be overwhelming, your family could lose the quality of life you previously enjoyed.

Drivers are required show a greater duty of care (sometimes known as “unusual care”) when child cyclists are present, driving near children on bikes, or when driving in areas in which children are likely to be found, such as schools or playgrounds — even if they do not see any children in the immediate vicinity.

The law weighs heavily on the side of child cyclists as the law recognizes that what “reasonable care” means to an adult might not necessarily constitute reasonable care to a child. As such, the law holds children to a lower standard of conduct in a bicycle accident case, because they are not as capable as adults are of making responsible decisions.

With the help of the personal injury lawyers from Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian, you may be able to recover damages from the driver's insurance company for medical care, skilled caregivers, hospital bills, and other expenses related to your child's accident. Victims may even be entitled to compensation for any disability, disfigurement, or pain he or she continues to suffer.

Steps to Take If You've Been Involved in a Bike Accident

Tucson, Arizona is one of the country's most prominent cycling and biking areas, but sadly, due to the sheer number of bicycles sharing the roads with Arizona drivers, bike accidents are also quite prevalent in Southern Arizona. Although no one is ever prepared for a serious bicycle accident, it is important to understand that your ability to secure fair compensation may hinge upon how you handle the documentation of the accident and its aftermath.

Though it may be challenging or chaotic at the time, in order to strengthen your case and maximize your chances of financial recovery, the personal injury attorneys at our Tucson, Arizona law firm recommend doing the following things after a serious bicycle accident, bike crash or cycling collision that resulted from someone else's negligence:

Even if you don't go to a hospital immediately, be sure to see a doctor soon after your accident.

1 - Get to a safe place and seek medical attention as soon as you can.

Move away from the middle of a road and off to the side or into a bike path, out of the way of cars or other bicycles. And whether you're injured or not, seeking the proper medical attention after a bike accident is crucial. An official examination by a doctor will ensure that the extent and nature of your injuries are adequately documented

2 - Call 911 to notify the police and other emergency medical personnel.

Even if you don't think you're severely injured or the damage doesn't seem significant, we recommend calling the authorities to document the accident and help support your claim. Make sure you report your version of events, and take the officer's name, badge number and police report number.

3 - Document the scene of the accident as best as possible with notes, pictures and video.

If you can, use your cellphone to try to take photos and video of the accident scene including the damage that was done to you and your bicycle, details of the vehicles involved, debris, road damage, obstructions, signs, and anything else that may be relevant. If there is damage to your bike, helmet, clothing, etc., leave everything as is and don't attempt to clean or fix anything. Keeping this record can help our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers build a more effective case later on.

4 - Gather contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident.

If a third party has witnessed the bike accident or there were other cars or cyclists involved, don't hesitate to gather their contact information. Record the names and contact information of all bystanders. This info can help you to prove that someone else was at fault, especially if they have denied any wrongdoing.

Do not admit fault or make a statement to an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer.

After a bike accident, do not negotiate or agree to a settlement with the other driver and definitely avoid making a statement to the driver at fault or any insurance companies until you have had the chance to consult with an attorney. Even if you do not admit fault, the insurance company may find a way to use your statement - even saying “I'm sorry” - against you in your claim.
Keep detailed records of all your losses after a bike accident or cycling injury.

For both health reasons and to support your bike accident claim, having your medical bills, proper documentation, and all relevant records are the backbone of a personal injury lawsuit. These may include lost wages and bills for damaged property, and even the less tangible ways in which your injuries interfere with your everyday life.
As soon as possible, speak with the bike accident specialists at AZ Injury Law!

Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian are considered one of the top personal injury attorneys in Arizona. We have been one of the area's most experienced bicycle accident attorneys for 40+ years and have successfully represented those who have been seriously hurt or injured in bike accidents, bicycle crashes, and cycling collisions.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer for a Bike Accident?

Frankly, due to the complex nature of cycling crash cases and bike accident claims, it may be extremely beneficial for you to consult a Tucson, Arizona personal injury attorney who specializes in serious bicycle accidents in order to prove liability.

Insurance companies may employ a variety of tactics in order to try to reduce the amounts that they have to pay. The Tucson bike accident attorneys at AZ Injury Law know the tactics that are used by both defendants and insurance companies, and we understand how to counter them. In many cases, we are able to recover damages in much greater amounts than people might recover without help.

Contact Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian today to schedule your free consultation and to learn more about your potential rights. With no costs to you and our free, no obligation consultation, you have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain by calling the AZ Injury Law team at (520) 790-5600 to find out if one of our personal injury lawyers would be beneficial in your bike accident case and can help identify the worth of your claim.

What is the Average Settlement for a Bike Accident Claim in Arizona?

While there is no exact way to determine the average settlement for a bike accident claim or cycling accident case in Arizona without proper investigation, working with a local, experienced, and proven law firm like ours is imperative to maximizing the amount you may receive.

Whether your accident was the result of a defective bicycle part or design (a case of product liability), a poorly maintained road, or a driver who was distracted, speeding or drunk driving, a skilled attorney from our firm can help you to recover the damages that you deserve. Through a thorough investigation of the details of your case, we will strive to identify any negligent parties potentially contributing to your injuries and fight hard to recover the largest settlement possible.

Our team has handled dozens of bike accident cases in our 40+ years of practice and have recovered millions for our cycling clients. Not to mention, 98% of our cases end in a successful settlement. The attorneys at AZ Injury Law have extensive experience in dealing with cycling and bicycle accidents, so contact us today at (520) 790-5600 for a free consultation!

What Are the Types of Damages I Might Be Able to Recover?

Because bike accidents often end in severe injury to the bicyclists, victims can require extensive treatment, ranging from temporary intensive care to long-term medical attention. Fortunately, a personal injury claim can help you secure the compensation to pay these bills.

While every case is different and specific dollar amounts change, in Arizona there are two primary categories of damages, including special damages and general damages.

Special damages

The actual economic losses that an accident victim suffers because of someone else's negligence, including:

Past and future expected medical bills
Past and future income losses
Lost wages
Reductions in the ability to earn an income
Property losses
Other direct costs

General damages

Typically non-economic losses suffered that are more intangible, including the following:

Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Emotional distress
Scarring and disfigurement
Hedonic damages
Losses of the ability to enjoy life
Loss of love, care, affection, and companionship
PTSD
Chronic pain

In bicycle accidents or cycling accidents involving wrongful death, the families may also receive damages for their reasonable costs incurred when holding funerals and burials. The spouses may recover for losses of consortium, and the children may recover for the loss of their parents' guidance.

With strong legal representation like the personal injury lawyers from Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian, you may be able to recover both types of damages that you incur as a result of a serious bike accident.

Bike Accident Blogs, Articles, and Helpful Info

CLICK HERE to read additional blogs on a variety of personal injury subjects.

Example(s) of Our Firm's Bike Accident Victories

Dart v. City of Tucson (1.8$ Million Settlement)

Our Tucson, Arizona injury lawyers offer assistance for a variety of personal injury, bike accident and wrongful death cases for our valued clients.

CLICK HERE for your free consultation or call our award-winning attorneys at (520) 790-5600.