Bike Accident Attorneys
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“Crazy” is absolutely the word that comes to my mind when I think about the next few months. I have a 175 mile ride planned in prep of RAW (Race Across the West) that will take me to a whole new kind of wierd. This will be from Gilbert AZ to Tucson AZ, up to the peak of Mt. Lemon and back down to the bottom of Lemon. Drive back to Gilbert.
Want to go along? Sat April 9th. Map is below. Lets do this… 😉
Is there really a need for a bike fit? YES. No question. Absolutely. Can’t imagine not having a professional fit.
Over the years I have encountered countless examples of cyclists complaining about their lower back hurting, their knee pain, their numb or tingling feet or hands, stiff and sore neck pain, shoulder pain, ankle issues, numb or tingling sensations in your “junk,” raw and tenderness in your bottom (or private parts), and of course the grand daddy of them all… THE SADDLE SORE. Yep, we have likely all been there before having experienced one or even all of these issues while riding. These are common to all cyclists and even more common as you ramp up your time in the saddle and your training gets longer and more intense.
While there are many explanations that can account for the above mentioned cycling pains, the most common response by virtually everyone out there is: “You need to get fit to your bike.” The hilarious side of this comment is the guy saying it to you may have the worst fit of all but STILL even he knows that a bike fit is that important. It’s simple math really, the more you ride the more strain you will put all over your body. Minimizing the strain and the pain can be as simple as optimizing the way your individual body fits to your bike. No two bodies are alike and every cyclist has a unique riding style. These factors can get complicated when you combine them with the mechanics, size, and spacing of your bicycle. It kind of seems obvious that a 7′ tall man weighing in at 250lbs would not fit on a 48cm size frame. Likewise, a 5′ nothing woman weighing in at 115lbs is not going to comfortably ride a bike that is sized out on a 60cm frame. She wouldn’t even be able to reach the pedals. The importance of a good bike fit is pretty obvious in those examples. Yet in a typical case where most of us are likely only off by a few millimeters in our perfect fit the pain and discomfort is no less real and still comes just as strong.
It’s amazing to me that a few inches off can be as painful as a few millimeters. You might notice the inches long before you notice the millimeters, but that is the subtle danger in not getting a pro bike fit. The days of riding your improperly fit bike turn into weeks, and maybe even into months and you learn to deal with the discomfort – until all of the sudden one day you hurt so bad you see every chiropractor, massage therapist, and physical therapist you can possibly afford. After weeks and/or months of treating with them (and no memory of any single act that actually even caused your injury), you come to the conclusion that the riding your improperly fit bike for so long was the likely cause all along.A good physical therapist or chiropractor that has been around the cycling community may even point that out for you!
SO… how important is a pro bike fit anyways? Simple answer via another question: Do you enjoy saddle sores, numbness, tingling, discomfort, pain, and maybe even debilitating pain while riding your bike? Of course not. Then get a pro bike fit. Not to mention that a pro bike fit will increase your efficiency as a cyclist and likely even increase your watts (power) that you generate while riding. You can actually ride faster with less energy when professionally fitted to your bike.
OK, where do I get fit to my bike? That depends on where you live and how much money you want to spend. Whatever you do make sure you avoid the “Bro” fit. The Bro Fit is the one you get from a buddy or a friend of a friend that may be an experienced cyclist. This person may know a thing or two about saddle height and proper frame size, etc. but likely lacks the expensive software and equipment to really dial in YOUR body to YOUR bike. A classic example of the Bro Fit is a new cyclist buys a bike off Craigslist, eBay, a local bike shop, etc. and goes out for a ride. Feeling uncomfortable on his new bike the cyclist expresses how weird it feels on a group ride. Overhearing this statement the “veteran” cyclist of the group pipes up and invites the newbie over to his garage for a bike fit. The veteran takes out some string and muttering the entire time while the newbie is spinning away on a trainer tries to take measurements eyeballing where the knee is in relation to just about every other body part out there. After adjusting the saddle height and maybe the forward position of the saddle the veteran stands back and watches the newbie pedal on the trainer for a minute. He then proudly proclaims to the newbie that these changes are based on his years of experience and that the technology is just not necessary. Having saved lots of money the newbie and the veteran share a few drinks together and both are feeling pretty happy.
A few weeks/months later the newbie cyclist has some or all of the classic pains described above. Classic Bro Fit. Another great example of the Bro Fit is a friend riding next to you on a group ride and notices how “off” your fit is. He suggests that you take immediate action before your pain gets any worse and he makes some adjustments roadside for you that seem to feel amazing at first. You end up keeping those adjustments for the next few months. Then you end up in pain anyway, numb hands, etc. There are lots of examples of Bro Fits. Don’t trust your Bro when you can hire a Pro. I know that sounds like some cheesy tag line on a stupid commercial somewhere, but I swear it just makes perfect sense to me. Our friends mean well, but when it comes to bike fits I only trust professionals.
Recently my wife and I were both professionally fit to our bikes by Cyclologic in Scottsdale AZ. We were referred by my cycling coach (a pro cyclist who only goes to Cyclologic for her fits) as a suggestion for the long endurance rides we are putting in. I am getting ready to solo race the Race Across the West (RAW – an 928 mile race with a 92 hour cut off time from Oceanside CA to Durango CO) and my wife is getting ready for another Ironman. With the hundreds of miles logged each week and the need to race for 90 hours straight with only bathroom breaks I figured I better be as comfortable as possible on my bike. I took her recommendation and tried out this fit.
I have been fit on numerous bikes by numerous people and companies over the years. But I should tell you that I was so impressed with this process at Cyclologic that I had to share my experience. My Cyclologic experience is shared in Best Bike Fit for RAW – Part 2.
Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.
Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.
Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.
A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free
In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.
Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:
You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.
Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC
Call Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.
Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com
His main Arizona offices are located at:
Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206
Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.
I just ended a telephone call with an adjuster for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) regarding a bicycle crash my client suffered from a road that was poorly maintained. In fact, this road wasn’t maintained at all. Guess what he told me – as if I was surprised to even hear it: “The cyclist is at fault and should have seen the crack or at the very least been able to handle riding on a road with cracks since we don’t maintain these roads for cyclists. We maintain them for cars. If your cyclist has a problem with the road conditions then he should ride somewhere else.” WHOA! Not really surprised by this anti-cyclist approach to the problem, but still disturbed at his response I dug in and pressed for more of his ridiculous explanations. He went on: “Most of the funding we get is only for motorists. I can’t go around and pay out money to make cyclists whole every time they fall down because of a crack in the road. There are cracks all over and the cars seem to go over them just fine.” It’s as if he was declaring war on cyclists stating if a car can go over the crack so should we, or we should just avoid them by riding around on roads that don’t have cracks.
We have all been riding along a shoulder and have encountered some pretty nasty cracks or broken up sections of road. Most times we somehow navigate those dangerous road conditions with some luck and avoid terrible wrecks. But sometimes, there is nothing we can do and the giant crack in the road appears out of nowhere and instantly we are going head over heels in a full on tumbling session with a now mangled bike and several broken bones. Sometimes road conditions, traffic, road debris, can all appear very suddenly and force us to cross over a dangerous crack with little choice on our part as cyclists. In those moments we find ourselves holding our breaths and praying we survive. Cracks in the road can cause severe physical injury to a cyclist. They are not always avoidable or even seen until its far too late. Worse, many of the cracks seem to only exist in the shoulder area where cyclists are expected” to ride.
Dangerous road conditions for cyclists may not be so dangerous for motorists. However, until ADOT sees that poor road maintenance can lead to more dollars spent on cyclists injuries than on the road maintenance itself then they will continue to ignore the problem or blame the cyclists for it. It’s always about the money. Yes, its always about the money. The ADOT adjuster informed me that he wouldn’t mind fixing the roads if someone paid for it but he definitely minds paying for cyclists who wreck because of the roads – blaming the cyclists for riding on the roads in the first place.
In my client’s case we didn’t take no for an answer. It was a relatively small case with not very many medical bills in injuries. Yet he and I are very aware of the problem here in Arizona with ADOT and took the case for the principle of it to bring more awareness to the poor road conditions that exist throughout the state for cyclists. After originally denying liability they have finally succumbed to pay for all of his medical bills, replace his bicycle, and pay some money into his own pocket for pain and suffering. I doubt the road will be fixed and I’m guessing another cyclist may fall victim to this same road hazard someday. I’m also convinced that ADOT would have spent significantly less on fixing the road than paying out on my client’s claim. How many more of these crack in the road cases will it take before they start paving better roads and better road maintenance? I intend on helping pave the way case by case until we see results.
Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.
Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.
Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.
A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free
In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.
Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:
You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.
Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC
Call Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.
Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com
His main Arizona offices are located at:
Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206
Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.
It is with much tragedy in our hearts that we report the tragic bike crash on Thursday March 3rd in Tucson Arizona, Pima County. According to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department a man named Brian Lynch, 28 years old, was driving under the influence when he struck a group of 10 cyclists stopped at a red light. Stopped at a red light! The wreck occurred approximately at 12:30pm in he light of day. Out of the 10 cyclists in the group 5 were struck by Lynch. Clare Rhodes, 72 years old, died at the scene. Kenneth Vieria, 68 years old, died after being transported to the hospital. The other cyclists were transported to the hospital where one remains in critical condition.
Brian Lynch was arrested for driving under the influence, 2 counts of manslaughter, 2 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 1 count of aggravated assault with serious injury and criminal damage.
The bicyclists were reported as members of Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes from New Mexico. All of the cyclists were reported to have been legally in the bike lane.
What can be done in a scenario like this? How can you prevent such an accident from happening? Most of us think we are safe when we are stopped at a red light. Most of us think that during the light of day we can surely be seen and no driver would ever hit us when we are legally in the bike lane stopped at a red light. The answer in my opinion is you are probably right. This is an extremely rare scenario. There is just not much you can do as a cyclist when an impaired driver is behind the wheel. That is exactly what impaired driving results in! This Brian Lynch guy drinks a few too many beers, or consumes drugs, etc. and then drives around and can then not see a group of 10 cyclists stopped at the red light. Did he even see the red light? Who knows.
As a bicycle crash lawyer I have a ton of questions I would love to ask Mr. Brian Lynch. Believe me, you don;t have to go all crazy nuts on a guy like this. He probably already feels guilty. While I am less concerned for how he feels and more concerned for getting to the bottom of how and why he couldn’t see such a decent sized group of cyclists stopped at a red light, I would still line up for some tough questions.
In my experience an impaired or even a distracted driver — i.e. some idiot texting while driving — in their 2 ton truck is no match for a bicyclist or even a group of bicyclists whop are simply vulnerable to the decisions of the drivers who are supposed to share the roads with us cyclists. This is a terrible and tragic experience that leaves me personally disturbed and deeply saddened. I hope that out of this tragic bike crash at least some justice can be served, some reform in bicycle legislation can be reached, some deeper awareness by other drivers can be obtained. My heart and prayers are with the families and victims of those who were so tragically affected by this bike wreck.
Tucson Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge
If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by road debris, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.
Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.
Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.
A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free
In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.
Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:
You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. Mr. Dodge’s staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Ben will personally return your call within 24 hours. there is never an obligation for a complimentary consultation with Mr. dodge. His passion is in representing cyclists and his entire office stands ready to serve with kindness and patience.
Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC
Call Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 1.800.958.8902.
Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com
His main Arizona offices are located at:
Mesa Arizona (home base office)
4824 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 124
Mesa, Arizona 85206
Phoenix Arizona office
2415 e. Camelback rd., suite 700
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Tucson Arizona office
One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor
Tucson, Arizona 85701
Mr. Dodge represents cyclists in the entire state of Arizona including but not limited to mesa, phoenix, tucson, yuma, gilbert, peoria, glendale, scottsdale, ahwatukee, tempe, chandler, prescott, sedona, flagstaff, surprise, kingman, page, lake havasu city, payson, goodyear, buckeye, queen creek, paradise valley, show low, winslow, maricopa, nogales, globe, avondale, cave creek, fountain hills, apache junction, carefree, wickenburg, pinetop-lakeside, strawberry, anthem, safford, and more. Ben Dodge is currently involved with bicycle accident cases all over the country and can assist in representation in all 50 states.