Arizona has the highest number of bike crashes annually. However, the state has a definite plan to change that. According to the Department of Transportation, in 2010 a record number of 1,500 bicycle riders were injured and 19 were killed in Arizona alone. Although the numbers are still very high, it was an improvement compared to 2009, when Arizona was ranked as the fourth with the highest bicycle fatality rate nationwide, with 25 cyclist deaths. ADOT is weeks away from finalizing a bike safety plan that will cost $198,000. The goal is to reduce the number of Arizona bike crashes by 12% by the year 2018.
Here are some bicycle safety tips:
- Riders must follow the same laws as motor vehicle drivers.
- Bicycles need to have rear reflectors, especially handy at night.
- Motor vehicle drivers should give the bicycle at least 3 feet of clearance.
- Riders are to stop fully when approaching a four-way stop sign.
- It is legal for bicycle riders to carry a grocery bag in one hand.
There is no definitive number yet as to how many bicyclists there are in Arizona but ADOT would like to hold a statewide count in order to decide which roads they should focus on for safety improvements. According to the 5-year study period, ADOT identified factors such as bicycles failing to yield, bicycle collisions when a car is turning right, a bicycle running counter to traffic, and accidents at night/dusk. It is important to educated drivers and bicycle riders about proper safety on the roads.
At Breyer Law Offices, P.C., our experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Mesa help injured cyclists hold negligent parties accountable for the injuries they cause. If you have been injured in an Arizona bicycle accident, call us at 480-389-2463 for a no-cost consultation.
Riding a bicycle is fun as it keeps a person fit and mobile. It’s generally a safe activity but when bicycle riders forget about precautionary tips, then they are likely to get hurt. According to a Crash Facts Summary for Arizona in 2009, out of 106,767 crashes, collisions with bicycle riders amounted to 1,402, including 25 fatal collisions and 1,172 injury collisions. Since December 2009, there have been 81 cases of child bicycle accidents reported. As Arizona bicycle accident lawyers, we have seen the emotional and financial damage a child bicycle crash can have on both the child and their family.
In recent news, children, ages 10 and below, have been getting into accidents with their bicycles. A 9 year-old boy only wanted to bike across the street and hangout with his buddy when a Ford Explorer hit him and threw him 45 feet off his bicycle and got him knocked unconscious. The boy survived the accident but with broken bones, internal bleeding, and a brain injury. He wasn’t wearing a helmet. Also recently, a 7 year old boy from Flagstaff was fatally injured when his bicycle was struck by a car. He also wasn’t wearing a helmet.
Since children are coming back to school this month, local hospital officials and bike-safety advocates are reaching out to parents about renewing warnings to keep their children safe from accidents. Since there is no statewide helmet law, parents should teach their children to wear a helmet. The best way to teach children is often to lead by example. If you are everyone going on a family bike ride, even for a short trip a helmet should always be worn.
If your child or a loved one has been involved in an Arizona bike accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Breyer Law Offices, P.C., for a free consultation today at 602-457-6222. You can also follow our Arizona Law Team Twitter account for more useful information, news and other topics of interest.
In March 2011, a 9-year-old boy took off on his bicycle to visit with a friend before dinner. He was hit by a Ford Explorer and knocked unconscious after flying 45 feet off of his bike. The boy sustained internal bleeding, broken bones and a brain injury. Although he survived, he still has some memory loss and scars from the accident.
As experienced bike accident injury lawyers in Arizona we believe that this almost-fatal accident highlights the importance of wearing a helmet and obeying other bicycle safety rules. The boy did not wear his helmet that day because it did not fit him properly. It obstructed his vision by drooping over his eyes, putting his safety in even more danger.
Another recent bicycle accident had a different outcome. In August 2011, a 7-year-old boy was killed when a motorist struck his bicycle. This child was also not wearing a helmet. Arizona hospital officials report that children’s bike accidents often occur between 3:00 and 7:00 PM, which is when many children ride their bikes home from school or visit friends before dinner.
Because Arizona has no statewide law about wearing helmets, officials encourage parents to make sure their kids wear them. Wearing a properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of brain injury in the event of an accident. Protecting the brain is particularly important since it does not heal like broken bones do. Parents should review bicycle safety rules with their kids on a regular basis. Children under the age of 10 should also avoid biking alone.
The Peoria bicycle accident attorneys at the Breyer Law Offices P.C. have the experience needed to handle bicycle accident cases caused by at-fault motorists. If your child was seriously or fatally injured in Arizona due to someone else’s negligence, call us for a free consultation at 623-455-6603. Please feel free to also visit our Husband and Wife Law Team Facebook page for firm news and other valuable information.
Statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate a need for better bicycle safety education in the U.S. Although the number of bicyclist fatalities decreased from 2008, there were still 630 bicyclist fatalities in 2009. Additionally, 51,000 bicyclists sustained injuries in 2009, an increase of more than 8,000 injuries when compared to statistics from 2008.
Bicycle accidents affect riders of all age groups. Even though the average age of a bicyclist killed on U.S. roads was 41, children and teens account for a number of fatalities and injuries. In 2009, 93 bicyclists under the age of 15 were killed and 13,000 were injured. Children ages 5 to 15 accounted for one-seventh of all the bicyclist fatalities in the same year.
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute recommends that every cyclist wear a helmet made from foam impact materials, as these materials direct the energy of an impact away from the skull. Cyclists should check their helmets regularly to make sure there is no missing or damaged foam. Parents should regularly check to make sure their children’s helmets fit properly.
Cyclists should also inspect their equipment regularly to identify possible hazards. Add air to bicycle tires when needed and test the brakes before taking your bike out on the road. All cyclists should wear reflective clothing at any time of the day or night. Even if you can see a driver, the driver may not always see you. Taking these precautions can prevent bicycle fatalities and injuries.
Serious injuries and accidents are costly to treat, especially if the accident victim needs ongoing physical rehabilitation services. A bicycle accident attorney in Mesa at The Breyer Law Offices, P.C. helps families recover the money needed to pay hospital bills and other expenses associated with bicycle accidents. If you or someone you love were injured in an Arizona bicycle accident, contact us for help. Call 602-457-6222 so one of our experienced lawyers can review your case.
A 20-year-old woman was killed in an Arizona intersection accident when her bicycle was struck by a car. According to The Arizona Republic, the fatal bicycle accident occurred at Val Vista Drive and Elliot Road in Gilbert. After stopping at a marked crosswalk at an intersection, the woman attempted to cross the road when a car struck her. Authorities report that the woman stopped to adjust something and then rode into traffic after the light changed. It is unclear if the driver will be cited for the crash.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 106,767 crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists throughout Arizona in the year 2009. A total of 1,643 bicyclists were injured and 25 were killed. Whenever a bicyclist is fatally struck by a car it must be determined who had the right of way and why the motorist was unable to avoid the collision.
Bicyclists in Arizona have the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists. This means that bicyclists must obey traffic laws and that motorists must yield the right of way to bicyclists just as they would to other vehicles.
The experienced bicycle accident attorneys in Arizona at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. help families get the compensation they need following a serious injury or fatal accident. We know how to hold at-fault motorists liable for an accident and we fight to protect the rights of our injured clients or families that have lost loved ones due to the negligence of another. Please call our law offices at 602-457-6222 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
A man was injured in a Glendale car accident when a car struck his bicycle at an intersection. According to a news report in The Arizona Republic, the bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of 67th and Northern avenues in Glendale. The injured victim of this Glendale bicycle accident was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Officials are looking into who had the right-of-way at the intersection at the time of the crash.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 1,995 bicycle accidents in the year 2009. In those accidents, 25 bicyclists were killed and 1,643 were injured. It is common for serious injury bicycle accidents to occur at intersections because bicyclists and car drivers often fail to properly obey the right-of-way laws. Bicyclists must adhere to the same traffic regulations as car drivers and car drivers must give bicycle riders the same right of way privileges as they do to other motorists on the roadway.
A driver does not have to be cited by the authorities to be held civilly liable for an accident. The injured victim simply has to prove that the driver was at least partially responsible for the injuries and damages suffered. A successful personal injury claim could result in financial compensation for hospital bills, suffering and lost wages. In cases where a dangerous roadway is involved, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held accountable.
The experienced Glendale bike accident injury attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. provide no-cost consultations to anyone injured in an Arizona bicycle accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, please contact us at 623-455-6603 to find out how we can help.
Bicycling is a popular activity in the United States. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, bicycles are owned by approximately 30% of the U.S. population, and 45% of bike owners’ ride at least occasionally. In 2009, 630 pedal cyclists were killed while an additional 51,000 were injured in various motor vehicle traffic crashes (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
Just this weekend in Phoenix, a bicyclist was killed after being struck by one car and then being dragged under another (AZCentral 05/15/2011). A 58-year-old cyclist was riding his bicycle at around 7:15 pm in a northeast direction, when he was struck by a Nissan Pathfinder who was going north. The victim landed in front of a Ford Escape, also travelling north. The man was dragged under the Ford until the driver stopped. The man sustained life-threatening injuries. Police said that both drivers were not impaired. The bicycle rider was noted to not have been wearing a helmet.
Although there is no law in Arizona that mandates the strict use of a helmet, all bicyclists have been reminded to wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. Wearing a helmet is a very effective way of preventing bicycle accident head injuries in Arizona. Bicyclists are considered vehicle operators and should therefore obey the same rules as other motor vehicle drivers when on the road. Cyclists must follow the flow of traffic when on the street. Bicyclists are also reminded to make themselves visible to other motorists by wearing reflective or brightly-colored clothing whenever riding on the streets.
If you or a loved one has been injured while bicycling, know your legal rights and options. You may call our experienced Phoenix bike crash attorneys at (602) 267-1280 for a free consultation. We may be able to help.
A 20-year-old man was injured in a bicycle crash recently when his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck near the intersection of 75th Avenue and Cheryl Drive in Peoria, according to a news report in The Arizona Republic. The bicyclist claims that the black pickup truck struck him and the driver told the authorities that the bicyclist was weaving in and out of traffic. The man was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials are looking into who was at fault in the Peoria bike crash.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), there were 1,995 bicycle accidents in Arizona in 2009. In those crashes, 25 bicyclists were killed and 1,643 were injured. Many Arizona bicycle crashes involve a motorist failing to yield right-of-way to bicyclists on the roadway. Under Arizona law, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Arizona motorists are required to look for bicyclists before changing lanes or entering an intersection. Drivers who fail to properly yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist may be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause. Injured bikers may pursue compensation from at-fault drivers by filing a personal injury claim. In such cases, financial compensation may be available for losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The experienced Peoria bicycle accident lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. offer free consultations to anyone who have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Arizona, please contact our law offices at 623-455-6603 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
The Tempe Bicycle Action Group has conducted a study which aims to expose the dangers faced by bicyclists at local street intersections. According to a news report in The Arizona Republic, the three-day study was conducted by 75 volunteers at 43 intersections in March. This study was created as a reaction to the many fatal Arizona bicycle accidents that occur every year. Many of the volunteers who conducted this study were family members of bicyclists who have been killed in recent bicycle accidents. The results of the study are expected later this month.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported 1,995 bicycle accidents in the year 2009. During that year, 25 bicyclists were killed and 1,643 were injured. Many of these accidents occurred at street intersections.
Distracted and negligent drivers often overlook bicyclists at intersections Other drivers simply do not look for bicyclists before making a turn or pulling into an intersection. Under Arizona law, bicyclists have the same right-of-way as other motorists. Drivers who fail to yield properly yield right-of-way to Arizona bicyclists may be held liable for the damages they cause. Bicyclists may hold at-fault motorists accountable for their actions by filing a personal injury claim. Damages that may be covered in a civil lawsuit include medical expenses, lost wages and rehabilitation costs.
The experienced Phoenix bicycle accident lawyers The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have helped protect the rights of injured bicyclists and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Arizona bicycle accident, please call our offices at 602-457-6222 to find out more information about pursuing your legal rights.
A 50-year-old woman was injured in a Glendale bicycle accident when a car struck her bicycle at the intersection of 55th Avenue and Shangri-La Road, according to ABC 15. The female bicyclist suffered serious injuries when the car struck her. The report does not specify how the collision occurred or if the driver will be cited for crash.
There were 1,995 bicycle accidents in the state of Arizona in 2009. In those Arizona bicycle accidents, 25 people were killed and 1,643 were injured. Anytime a bicyclist is struck by a car it must be determined if driver negligence contributed to the crash. Arizona motorists must give bicycle riders the same right-of-way privileges that drivers of other vehicles have. Failure to yield to bicyclists can result in serious injury accidents or death.
Anyone who has lost a loved one in a bicycle accident would be well advised to look into his or her legal options. In some cases, the best way to receive fair compensation for the injuries suffered is to file a personal injury claim. In cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved, families of deceased auto accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income and other damages.
The knowledgeable Arizona bicycle accident attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have years of experience and a successful track record getting injured victims of Arizona bicycle accidents fair compensation for the losses they have sustained. If you have been injured in a Glendale bicycle accident please contact us at 623-930-8064 for a no-cost consultation.
