By far the most common type of cycle or bike crash a rider in Arizona and Utah is bound to face will be with a vehicle of some sort or it’s trailer such as a car, truck, taxi, bus, or a truck pulling behind it a trailer or boat.
Unfortunately the police may wrongfully conclude that the cyclist is at fault. Don’t be discouraged if you get ticketed as a cyclist – you can often still win your personal injury case. You will want to hire an experienced cyclist and bike accident attorney to pursue your claim. But it can be done.
If you were hit by a government vehicle such as a city bus, fire truck, police car, etc. you must immediately contact us to protect and preserve your rights as municipalities often have a shorter window in which to file a claim. It can be as short as 30-60 days.
Often cyclists are injured in bike wreck with a vehicle from what we call a “left cross” or a “right hook.” These are not just terms used in a boxing ring and the injuries from a left cross or right hook can be far more serious than a boxing match. The left cross is when a car is coming towards you and makes a sudden left turn into you or in front of you. A Left-cross in the Blind Spot is another common type of bike wreck in Arizona and Utah. This occurs when the cyclist is riding to the right and behind a car going straight, and a left-turning motorist sees a gap behind that car and quickly turns behind the car but into the path of a cyclist. The best way to avoid a left cross is to ride farther to the left as you approach an intersection, as a driver is normally focused on the oncoming traffic lane. As you approach keep pedaling. If you coast they will think you are yielding to them. However, still be prepared to stop if they make the sudden left.
Although there are many sorts of right hooks, the most common right hook is when a cyclist passes a slow-moving car on the right and the car suddenly turns right into cyclist. To avoid this type of crash, don’t pass slower/stopped traffic on the right. You CAN NEVER rely on motorists to use their turn signals or to look before turning into a bike lane. Merge into the traffic lane if you are moving the same speed as traffic and try to do so before you reach the intersection.
Every cyclist fears the “trailer whip” effect. Drivers in Arizona and Utah are often pulling behind them a landscape trailer, a toy hauler, a boat, a utility trailer or other trailer. These drivers present a very dangerous situation to us cyclists. Often the driver pulling a trailer will very nervously steer clear with his/her vehicle and trailer to avoid hitting the cyclist and often cross into the oncoming traffic or neighboring traffic lane long enough for the vehicle to pass the cyclist. Then the driver will mistakingly over correct the steering wheel to return to his/her lane quickly. When a driver simply jerks or jolts his/her steering wheel too quickly then the trailer behind them whips violently. This can be deadly for cyclists. Please be aware of vehicles puling trailers. If you see a vehicle pulling a trailer stay extra wide and clear if you can to account for the potential trailer whip effect by the driver. If you have been or know someone who has been in a bicycle accident involving a vehicle pulling a trailer, call now and we can help. These claims are bit different depending on the type of trailer being pulled. Be assured that there are rights as a cyclist you have and the driver can not violate those rights and cause you injury because he/she failed to pay attention to their trailer!
We believe time is of the essence and it is important to contact an attorney quickly because there are many circumstances that require immediate action. Cases involving a municipality usually require a Notice of Claim to be filed within 90 days of the accident (and in some cases even less!). Call us now at (855) ONE-EZ-CALL (855.663.3922) to schedule your free consultation and to get immediate help 24/7 365/yr.