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LOTOJA 2015 Race Report

Lotoja 2015 - Team Meeting and Race Prep Night before the race at our hotel — Lotoja 2015 – Team Meeting and Race Prep Night before the race at our hotel

LOTOJA 2015 was an epic event. I knew I was in trouble when 4 days prior to the race my throat started to get sore and my nose started getting stuffy. A 204 mile race across 3 states is potentially hard enough, but with the head cold coming on I admit I began to feel a bit of fear. The best part is that on race day morning I could have auditioned for a bass solo in any choir or singing group in the world and would have been an easy shoe in! That is how bad my head/chest cold had become, hitting its peak on the day of the race.

LOTOJA Cat 5 Male Team Just before start. Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team members left to right: Matt Woods, Ben Dodge, Robert Riding, Scott Wayment, Darric Wright, Dean Lewis, and Richard Farabee.

Luckily my coach, teammates, and friends offered endless suggestions of good home style remedies to stave off the cold. While I am convinced out of personal experience that these suggestions did NOT stave off the cold they may very well have kept it somewhat at bay. At the very least I knew that if I did everything in my power to fend off the head cold I would at least have a mental advantage that given the circumstances I was still putting my best foot forward on race day… even if that foot was sort of dragging along! So I found myself pumped full of all sorts of over the counter medications to help with the cold. I was taking dissolving zinc tablets, Emergen-C, Kombucha pro-biotic drinks, Sudafed non drowsy, Mucinex pm, vitamin c tablets, NyQuil, and even two nights before the race a friendly waiter offered me his special vitamin drink he takes daily called Vibe. He mixed some up for me and sent me to the hotel with two days worth; what a nice guy. The point is that I literally did everything I could d to no avail I was sicker than ever the day of the race. BUT I had the mental confidence that I at least had done everything I could have and that made all the difference.

A 204 mile race was going to be a sufferfest anyways, so what difference would it really make if I felt crappy? Either way I figured that at the end of the day I would be happy to be off the bike just the same. So off to the start line I went. A few of us teammates got together and snapped a quick pic in the parking lot and then pedaled around for a quick warm up around the block.

At the start line our team lined up in the front of our corral and anxiously awaited the count down. We had a full regiment of 8 cyclists racing in the Category 5 event, 2 cyclists in the Female Cat 4 event, and 1 cyclist in the Men’s Cat 5 55+ event. I nearly forgot that my garmin was off so I quickly turned it on as we were pulling away and I noticed that the screen was set to a screen that I never use on race day. I kept trying to get it to switch over to the correct screen for the 1st 1/2 mile or so of the race and then realized that my full fingered gloves were getting in the way. Not wanting to waste anymore time I just settled with the screen it was on and pressed start. I thought: “all I really need is my cadence, heart rate, elapsed time, and average speed.” Since those fields were already on display I just rolled with what I had and figured that I would check later for all the other data such as 3s power, avg power, NP, and more.

LOTOJA Start Line — Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team at the Front

For the first few miles of the race behind the pace car and beyond our team sat the front and controlled the pace. I sat there thinking to myself, that my coach would be absolutely angry with me if she knew I was sitting on the front. All she ever said was to stay off the front and just sit in. But there I was, sitting at the front for the first several miles. After the pace car pulled away we were still at the front but I was strict about keeping my heart rate in my aerobic zone. I figured if I were to sit at the front then I will at least stay aerobic. “If someone else wanted to go faster then they could just go around me and I’ll draft off of them” I said to myself. I was surprised at how long we sat there keeping a steady 20mph pace with no one wanting to pull. I figured, what the heck – we can do this all day. At one point I recall riding two abreast alongside my teammate Richard Farabee at the very front of the peleton. I leaned over to him and said, “Hey Richard – in this very moment of the race we are winning!” We both laughed. We settled in and ignored the grumblings from behind where other cyclists were heckling us for the slow pace. All I kept saying to myself was: “If you want to go faster then you can pull.” Eventually a pair of cyclists jumped up there and started pulling and the pace picked up to about 22mph for a few miles and I happily drafted alongside my teammates still in my aerobic zone.

Bike Accident Attorneys Women’s Racing Team Members: Rhonda Meyers and Jodi Lewis at the start line.

After about 8-10 miles I realized that in all of my excitement I had forgotten to take a leak before the race. I was very well hydrated and really needed to relieve myself. My bladder started to hurt and I became very uncomfortable. At bout mile 15-18 I decided that I couldn’t hold it anymore and that I was just going to have to resign myself to peeing in my bibs while riding. I thought this would be absolutely terrible to the saddle sore scenario I had already been nursing, but didn’t have any other option. Right then another cyclist came riding alongside the peleton and asked if anyone else needed to pee and asked if we wanted to negotiate a “pee stop” where we all agree to stop and pee. I JUMPED ON THIS opportunity and exclaimed “I’m in! Great idea! Lets do it now!” In seconds lots of others all jumped on board with the idea and we found ourselves alongside a farm road all straddling our bikes and peeing. A few of the front of the peleton kept cycling. And others just passed us on by. Yet there was at least 25-35 cyclists who stopped and peed. I was so happy and relieved. Then we jumped back on and began the work to catch the leaders. In about 1.5-2 miles we got them all reeled in and became a unified peleton again.

Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Truck loaded for LOTOJA 2015

After winding through some beautiful farm lands and rural towns we started climbing. The heart rates of many of us slowly started rising and the “cold” morning start soon became warm. I chose only to wear my full fingered gloves. I didn’t wear any other cold weather gear and was VERY happy with that decision. While others were trying to peel off cold weather layers I was comfortable and thought this is perfect weather. A wiser cyclist than me once said that you should never start a ride just right, but rather start a cold weather ride just a bit chilly because your body temperature will warm you up as you get going. True to form, after pedaling a few miles on the chilly side I was warm enough to be comfortable while others were wasting precious energy sweating out valuable salt that could have been spared for later in such a long day. Besides, I didn’t have to waste any time or energy stripping arm warmers or leg warmers off. I was quite happy with my gear decision.

The first major climb was known as the Strawberry climb. It began roughly at mile 30 and lasted approximately through mile 57. The main group began to break up on this climb. The temperature heated up and everyone started shedding layers. I was happy that I had not added any extra layers and was able to ride at a comfortable temperature. Of course, the day was really just beginning and the hot temperatures would just continue to rise.

Towards the top of this climb we reached our first neutral feed zone. The neutral feed zones were very chaotic. You just roll up and find a spot to squeeze into to get your bottles refilled. There wasn’t a lot of organization at that first feed zone due to the sheer volume of cyclists that were bombarding it while I was there. You almost fought your way to a spot to get water and then quickly rolled on! The nutrition support at the neutral feed zones was very limited and really only designed for water refills or port-a-john stops.

Ben Dodge Bicycle Lawyer - LOTOJA 2015 Strawberry Climb — Ben Dodge Bicycle Lawyer – LOTOJA 2015 Strawberry Climb

The next part of the race was by far my favorite. The descent down Strawberry was very fast and even a bit curvy. I had been practicing some down hill techniques and was all too eager to employ them on this long descent. If I remember correctly the descent was roughly 8-9 miles and at some points pretty steep. I pedaled hard for a few yards and then sat down on my down tube in an aero position and just went for it. I reached speeds of approximately 55mph having to break to make turns. I was going so fast that the other cyclists I rode by seemed to just fly by. No one was even able to draft off of me on this descent. While I am quite sure that there are plenty of really good cyclists that could have easily drafted off of me, I am convinced that they were all ahead of me at this point of the race. So I just blasted downhill and caught a quick group of cyclists to attach to. I was very happy to discover that my teammate Richard Farabee was in this group I caught up to. I joined in and we pressed forward to Mont Pilier.

Feed Zone 1 - Mont Pilier — Feed Zone 1 – Mont Pilier. Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team members left to right: Scott Wayment, Matt Woods.

The Mont Pilier feed zone was roughly at about mile 75. This was our first feed zone where we could have our support crew present to provide some nutrition, etc. My fuel strategy really consisted of almost entirely Carbo Rocket, a bit of Coke, and a bite of a PB&J. This enabled me to swap bottles quickly and roll out of every feed zone in 1-2 minutes. It was awesome to see the enthusiasm of the feed zones. Cyclists were cruising in and out as quickly as possible while the support crews were thronging the sidelines jammed pack like sardines waiting for their team to roll in. Our crew was amazing and consisted of many family members and friends. They did a fantastic job and this race was truly impossible without good support. I know several people that participated without support crews but it becomes inefficient and slower. Not to mention that seeing a friendly face cheering your name does wonders for your heart and soul on such a long day!

Bike Accident Attorneys Racing Team Member Darric Wright taking a breather from the hot weather at a feed zone.

The 2nd of the 3 major climbs would quickly come after the Mont Pilier feed zone, and was known as the Salt River Climb and was the KOM/QOM climb. It was roughly 30 miles to the top of the Salt River climb from our last feed zone. At the top of this climb we would hit our 2nd neutral feed zone. But the climb up to there would be brutal. From Mont Pilier we would do a short climb for a few miles that was a decent grade for several miles (8-10). Then we would descend quickly again for few miles before we would start a slow grade climb eventually up to a 3-5 mile steep climb for the KOM/QOM challenge up to the top of the Salt River pass. By this time of the race the temperatures were getting hotter every hour. It was on this climb that I fell off the pack and watched my teammate pull away from me. My chest and head cold was getting the better of me and I felt it. A few miles before the KOM climb I crashed into the back of another cyclist on an uphill section of the race. I was coughing so hard for so long I blacked out for a split second and ran into a slower cyclist just ahead of me. Fortunately he was OK and stayed upright. I too was OK and sustained no damage to my bike. However, I did go down and picked up a little raspberry on my knee and overall felt a bit dejected and just out of all energy. I picked up my bike as my teammate circled back to check on me. With whatever integrity I had left I got back on and kept pedaling. I later caught the cyclist I ran into and apologized profusely for hitting him. He was understanding and we rode on.

After a short potty break at the top of the Salt River Pass (KOM/QOM Hill) I sped down hill again. The Salt River pass neutral feed zone came at about mile 106 and basically marked the half way point. From here on out until the finish line it seemed there was a strong head or cross wind that always accompanied us. My descent was again a solo effort. It would be roughly 20-25 miles until our next feed zone in Afton where our support crew could provide us much needed nutrition and replacement bottles. I finally caught another small group of 2-3 cyclists about 8-10 miles from Afton. We worked together and picked up a few other stragglers along the way until we built a descent sized pack. We all took turns in the wind.

LOTOJA 2015 - Ben Dodge, Stretch between Afton and Alpine — LOTOJA 2015 – Ben Dodge, Stretch between Salt River and Afton

In Afton (approximately 122-125 miles in) I could hardly breathe and speak. My head cold had definitely become a chest cold. I grabbed some much needed water bottles and fuel and rolled on. I rolled out solo and got picked up a by a fast paced group. I happily hung on for a few miles until I could recover enough to take my turn up front in the wind. It was this stretch to Alpine where the wind felt the worst to me. After a while our pack of about 15 cyclist dropped to about 4 of us as we left everyone else scattered behind us. We added to our numbers here and there ended up rolling into Alpine (approximately mile 155 of the race) with a group of 8-10 pretty solid riders. Before getting into Alpine I struggled breathing, coughing, and just overall feeling like total garbage.

The feed zone in Alpine would be the last feed zone where we would have access to our support crew making 3 total supported feed zones and 3 total neutral feed zones. The pack of cyclists that formed leading into Alpine all agreed and negotiated a 30 second feed zone stop before meeting at the end of the feed zone to finish out the race together helping each other all the way to the finish. I was very excited about that prospect because they were in fact strong riders and getting in a pace line with them would be very helpful for me, especially due to my overall decline in wellness and health. As I rolled into the Alpine feed zone I was at a low point of the race and rushed for time. My parents and a good friend were volunteering at this aid station. They must not have expected us to arrive so quickly as they were a bit unprepared for our arrival. I was handed a bottle of powder not yet mixed. I admit I may not have been my most pleasant self in that moment and I yelled a bit asking for it to be mixed. Oops. I still feel bad about that because all in all our crew was amazing! The short story is that I lost my fast pack of cyclists as my stop in this feed zone was simply too long. They had rolled out without me. But honestly, I admit that I would have lost them anyways as my wellness significantly declined within minutes of the Alpine feed zone.

After rolling out of Alpine I began dry heaving a ton. Even pulling over to vomit several times only to learn that nothing would come up. Worse, I lost my ability to shift into my big chain ring! This really upset me as it was a problem I thought was adequately addressed before the race. But alas, it was not fixed as I had hoped and the last 50-60 miles of the race I had to do in my small chain ring. My cable was too loose and nothing on the fly out on the course would fix that. I just spun a higher cadence and elevated my HR a bit to do so. A frustrating experience to be sure, especially since the climbing in this course was finished and the last 50-60 miles would be rollers or flat all the way to the finish line.

Ben Dodge the Bike Lawyer just after the Alpine feed zone at about mile 165

I did parts of this next section solo as I constantly stopped to check on my chain ring, manually shift it into the big ring only for it to shift back after a few pedal strokes, dry heaving etc. A kind older gentleman in a black and yellow kit with a big GSC logo on the front offered to help me out. Sadly nothing worked and I was stuck with only my small chain ring. I rode with him for a while (pictured above) and then eventually I just settled in to a good rhythm and pedaled my way to the 3rd and final neutral feed zone in Hoback (mile 180-ish). I stopped for a moment in this feed zone and filled my water bottles and tagged along in the back of a corporate group of cyclists who were all riding together. After riding with them for a bit and recovering just a bit I broke away with 3 other cyclists on some of the smaller climbs leading out of Hoback. The group we were all sitting in on was going just a bit too slow. Picking up the pace and forming a small break away group was a good idea. The 4 of us would eventually ride the remainder of the race together taking turns in the wind. I of course still only had my small chain ring, but I was happy to be with them and not solo. The final 10 miles or so were the longest of the race. They were not difficult miles, just long as everyone is ready to be done with the day and get off the bike! Finally we saw the finish line and our spirits picked up.

I finished 11th in our category of about 60 cyclists with a first year finish time of 10:21. My Teammate Richard Farabee and I rode most of the first half of the race together, and he finished 8th in our category at 10:04. It was an incredibly cool day. I loved the race and LOTOJA will be for ever a favorite course and event of mine. I hope to go year after year.

Ben Dodge - Bicycle Attorney LOTOJA 2015 Finish Line — Ben Dodge – Bicycle Attorney LOTOJA 2015 Finish Line

LOTOJA Finish Line 2015. Left to Right: Ben Dodge, Dean Lewis, Matt Woods.

Arizona based 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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

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 Arizona 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.

How to Avoid and Treat Saddle Sores: The Love Nugget

It wasn’t until we were on our way back home from this 135 mile ride that I realized what I had so idiotically forgotten… chamois cream! How on earth could I forget such a basic ingredient to success for a long hot ride in the Arizona summer? A few of my friends and teammates are training for the longest single day USA Cycling sanctioned race in America. It is called LOTOJA. It is a 200+ mile race from Logan Utah to Jackson Wyoming and is literally in just a few weeks (September). This means that the bulk of our training rides are done in the Arizona summer heat. It’s fine by me, I hate the cold. I’d rather sweat than freeze to death. I am by far a desert rat and have come to love it. With this climate however, “hot spots” in your chamois or your feet, or anywhere else for that matter, become a common problem. Yet, saddle sores are something we can absolutely prevent and/or quickly treat.

My alarm went off at 1:55am Saturday morning. It felt like I haven’t even slept. Stumbling around the room trying to avoid waking up my wife and kids, I finally grab my bibs, heart rate monitor, jersey, socks, and cycling cap. Surely “I’m not forgetting anything” I thought as I have done these long training rides hundreds of times before. I quickly eat a bit for breakfast, grab my frozen water bottles I had prepared from the night before and head out to meet my crazy friends who were joining me on this ride. The ride was about 70 miles out to Globe Arizona from Gilbert Arizona, and then we would turn around and bike back. After all, we have a 200+ mile race in a few weeks we have been training for (LOTOJA).

The Globe training ride was truly epic with beautiful mountains, wild flowers, and very good climbing opportunities that presented exciting descents! We made great time and all felt pretty good. The only reason we started so early is because it is so dang hot here in August in Arizona that an early start time for a long ride in the summer is simply mandatory. Plus, we all have families and we need to be back home for Saturday soccer practice, etc. While we were cycling back home it suddenly came to me: “I forgot chamois cream”. Why did it suddenly come to me? Because I developed a saddle sore the size, depth, and hardness of a freaking golf ball! In fact, it was so giant that my cycling buddies nick named it “The Love Nugget.” Every pedal stroke began to hurt something fierce. I kept telling myself that I was the biggest idiot out there for not using chamois cream on a long ride; especially when the bibs and jersey I had chosen to wear was brand new. Seriously? What am I, some sort of rookie all of the sudden? This is BASIC CYCLING 101 and I had failed in a big way. Rookie mistake. I felt like a total idiot. It led me to think about my teammates and all the other cyclists who bike day in and day out here in Arizona. I wondered how many of them get saddle sores? How many are experienced cyclists vs. newbies? I started asking around. This is what I learned on how to avoid and how to treat a saddle sore:

How to Avoid and How to Treat Saddle Sores (Love Nuggets)

It Just Happens. First and foremost it just happens sometimes to the best of us regardless of the techniques used below to avoid them. You should know that even the bravest and most experienced professional cyclists get saddle sores. Sometimes they just happen because we ride that often and treating them immediately is absolutely the most important thing you can do.
Bike Fit: A proper and professional bike fit will go a long way in preventing saddle sores. Often cyclists who have been cycling a long time feel they can just eye ball a fit for their friends and call it good. Even just 1 millimeter off in saddle height, saddle angle, saddle forward and rearward positioning, or reach, stack height, etc. can all DRAMATICALLY affect your comfort level, power output and YES your proneness to getting a saddle sore. See a professional AND an experienced bike fitter for a proper fit of your bike. This is by far the most important 1st step in preventing saddle sores. A bike fit is not just for the pros, it is for everyone who wants to prevent lower back pain, shoulder pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and of course: saddle sores.
Sitz Bones

Correct Saddle: Make sure you have the correct saddle. Every one of us has a different physiological makeup of how we sit, and pedal. The best saddle on earth for me is likely not the best saddle for you. It is probable that you and I have different rear ends and pedal styles. One of the most common issues with uncomfortable saddles and/or saddle sores is that of our sitz bones. The sitz bones are the bones that actually rest and make contact on the saddle. The size and spacing of the sitz bones are unique to each of us. Men and women differ greatly in this area as well. Many saddles for women are made specifically based on the difference in sitz bones from that of male cyclists. You should try out as many different saddles as possible until you find one that works for your unique physiological make up in sitz bones and pedal stroke. With the massive variety in saddles you can imagine that the slight variations amongst the many manufacturers can have a huge impact for you. Try them out. Get a feel for what feels good and works best for you. Make sure to ride on the saddle for a while to determine if it really works for you. There are some bicycle shops that are offering a sort of saddle rotation service so you can demo different saddles for weeks at a time. These shops usually require a small deposit then you have access to all of their saddles until you find one that you like. Here in Arizona I am aware of a local bike shop offering such a service: Two Wheel Jones at the Gilbert location.
Chamois Cream: Some say that suing chamois cream is not necessary if you have the proper saddle and are appropriately and professional fit to your bike. I tend to agree with those folks. However, as I just experienced, when riding long distances in the extreme heat with a brand new pair of bibs – chamois cream would have been a great idea and could have made the difference for me when breaking in the new chamois in these bibs. Chamois cream reduces the amount of friction you experience from pedaling and sitting on the saddle. Many cyclists I know use chamois cream every ride and not just on hot or long days. There is little question that reducing the friction will also reduce your chances of a saddle sore. So err on the side of caution and lube up! I like DZ Nutz. Caution: if you already have a saddle sore, apply copious amounts of chamois cream may ease the pain and discomfort of the ride – but may also increase the infection of an open sore. Be careful.
Keep Clean: Pretty disgusting when you realize that a saddle sore is really just a bacteria sort of issue from skin irritation, etc. They end up looking like zits essentially that you can pop. Or they become abscesses that need to be lanced and drained. Saddle sores will always be formed in those areas in contact with your seat. This is not a good time to post any pictures! Saddle sores are disgusting and are located in very sensitive and painful areas. One way to prevent and treat them is to keep clean! There is no reason to finish a ride and then hang out in your cycling shorts/bibs. Get that nasty chamois off! The sweat and grime that is going on in there is not helping prevent, reduce or treat your saddles sores. Especially for you female cyclists, my coach is a U.S. Women’s Pro cyclist and she often says that the worst thing you can do is stay in your chamois; with all of that yeast and heat and sweat and grime “it’s like your baking bread down there and a french roll is just going to pop out any second!” She cracks me up, and is an excellent coach – I think she knows what she is saying and I will leave it at that for your female cyclists. Enough said. Stay clean, get out of that nasty chamois and get washed off. There is no reason or “cool factor” to hang out in your bibs. Gross.
Wear Proper Clothing: Not wearing the proper attire while cycling will almost assuredly guarantee you a saddle sore. Can you imagine for 1 second a cyclist strolling down in some cut off Levis? I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. Some folks may balk or poke fun at all the Lycra we wear, but the breathe-ability of the fabrics, the fact that cycling shorts/bibs have chamois pads, etc. are all designed for lots of reasons. One of which is to provide maximum comfort and reduce saddle sores. P.s. NEVER wear dirty cycling shorts. Dirty apparel is especially ripe for causing bacterial infection and saddle sores. Also, it is just socially irresponsible if in a group ride: stinky.
Change Position: Often if you feel a saddle sore coming on it is already too late. However, a cyclist can reduce the risk of saddle sores by manipulating his/her position on the bike. Try standing up every couple of minutes for just a few short seconds. Try shifting your seated position a bit to be more forward and then more rearward on the saddle. These techniques can help if you are riding with a saddle sore and can also help prevent getting one. Also, they shake the legs out a bit and allow you as a cyclist to burden other parts of your pedal stroke for a moment and provide relief to your fatigued legs.
TREATING a Saddle Sore:
1. Rule #1 is rest it and treat it immediately! Do not continue riding or ignore the saddle sore as they definitely get worse. A few days off now is better than a few weeks off later because you kept riding. Get off the bike and rest that Love Nugget.
2. Dr. Matt Woods
  
  Rule #2 is medicate it. The saddle sore itself is an inflamed and possible infected skin abrasion. Medicate it. There are lots of over the counter medications that cyclist have claimed over the years have helped because of their local anesthetic, local antiseptic, local anti-microbial, counter irritant, and swelling reduction properties. Try out these saddle sore remedies: Noxema, Vagisil (yes for men too), Preparation H (again , not for hemorrhoids but to reduce swelling and shrink the saddle sore), Tea Tree oil, Acne Gel/Cream (something that is 10% or more benzoyl peroxide). If the saddle sore is getting too far out of control then see your doctor or even better a dermatologist who can prescribe a round of antibiotics and/or provide a cortisone shot to the infected area. With a 200+ mile race in just 1.5 weeks I went and saw my dear friend Dr. Matt Woods of Desert Sky Dermatology and Surgical Center. He happens to me on my racing team, a great cyclist and a stand up doctor. He took a quick look at it and provided a simple cortisone shot right in the heart of the beast. The next morning the “Love Nugget” was officially 3/4 the size the day before. That was worth all of the gold in California! I couldn’t say enough good about that experience, because just that morning I had been on a ride where literally every pedal stroke was a stroke of pain.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that any distraction to us as a cyclist is a possible factor in causing a bicycle crash. Make sure to take care of your saddle sores, and take the necessary steps to prevent them so you can ride distraction free. I can tell you that recently I have hated every pedal stroke and grimaced in pain far too often from my saddle sore.

-Best regards,

Ben Dodge, the Bicycle Lawyer

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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

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 Arizona 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.

Dear Cyclist, the driver gets away with 55% of the time.

Dear Cyclist,

I am writing this blog to you so I can help reassure you that your fears and concerns for you rights as a cyclist are absolutely true. I wish I had better news for you. I wish I could tell you that everything will be OK and that the statistics are on your side. Sadly, I can only confirm your suspicions and aggravate your anxiety.

In Arizona we have wonderful weather that allows you to rid your bike all year long. Sure the winter is “cold” but not that cold compared to other snow laden destinations. Sure the summer is hot, but we can hydrate and jump in our pool after a long ride. So why not ride your bike all the time? I think I know why you are a little scared that you could be falsely accused of breaking the laws.

Like you, one of my worst fears is getting in a wreck with a car. Unfortunately this happens quite a bit in Arizona. I’m lucky enough to help many of the cyclists that live here. I have learned from reviewing the public records, collision summary reports, Arizona bicycle laws, and police reports that if you do get in a wreck with a car you have a shockingly high chance of being the one found at fault. I know how bad this may sound and worse how much it can affect your bike accident case and what the insurance companies will be willing (if at all) to settle for.

Lets look at the disturbing facts together. The at fault or who was found NOT to be in violation is what concerns me the most. Here are some scary figures for you from the great city of Phoenix as of 2013:

-482 Reported Bicycle Crashes
-412 of those crashes reported injuries
-10 of those bicycle wrecks were fatal

Who is at fault? Lets look based on the police reports and citations issued:

-No Violation issued to Cyclist: 27%! This means that 73% of the time when you are hit by a car you will be found in the wrong as having violated some traffic code.
-No Violation issued to Motorist: 55%! This means that only 45% of the time the driver will be found at fault.

Seems unbelievable and unfair doesn’t it? This begs that we look a little further.

What were the actions of the motorists? Cyclists? Fortunately we know. 35% of the time the motorist was going straight. Yep, a whopping 35% of the time a motorist simply was going straight and hit a cyclist. 53% of the time a motorist was either turning right or left. 12% of the time the motorist was doing some “other” thing or it was “unknown” as to what the driver was doing. Lets break this down a bit further. 482 bicycle crashes and in 216.9 of them the driver was found to be in some sort of violation (failed to yield – 16%; unknown -10%; inattention – 8%; other – 7%; speed to fast – 2%; disregarded signal – 2%). How is that a driver can be turning right or left in 255.46 (53%) of the 482 accidents and yet in only 216.9 total accidents they are found to be at fault? How is that the “Failed to Yield” or “Inattention” stats of a combined total of 24% of the violation collisions only account for 115.68 of the bicycle collisions? When in 35% of the collisions (168.7 wrecks) the driver was actually going straight and yet drivers were only cited for inattention 38.56 cases? This is really messed up.

It gets worse – of the 482 bike wrecks reported in Phoenix in 2013; 347 times the cyclist was simply going straight. The cyclist wasn’t turning left, right, or even crossing the street. 347 times the cyclist was going straight and somehow the driver gets cited for inattention 38.56 times. I don’t know about you, but I am definitely not ok with these facts. This is a bit disturbing. There are a ton of very helpful and interesting statistics that even break this down further. I don’t want to bore all of you with the details in this little blog; so here is a link to the 2013 report I was referencing. Check it out and email me with questions. I am happy to discuss Arizona bike law all day long.

My advice to you: be safe out there! Be kind to the police who are investigating your accident as they will likely get it wrong and we will need them to not form a negative opinion about you or your wreck. And finally, don’t give up riding your bike! Driving a car is not a right, but a privilege that can be revoked anytime. Whereas riding your bike is so much more. There are more and more of us out there riding side by side with you. These numbers will get better in time. We must all take responsibility in our individual worlds to make cycling a safer sport, recreational pastime, and means of transpiration.

Sincerely your friend and fellow cyclist,

Ben Dodge

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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). 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 Arizona 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.

Is it legal to ride my bike on the sidewalk?

By far one of the most frequently asked questions I get asked is: Is it legal to ride my bike on the sidewalk? The answer is is both simple and complicated. Don’t you hate that? Aren’t lawyers famous for not giving straight answers? Jeez. Here is the short and simple answer: Yes it is legal in Arizona to ride your bike on a sidewalk, sometimes, well it depends on what city you are in and if it is specifically prohibited by sign or statute. See what I mean? Its both simple and complicated.

To understand how this really works it is important to remember that under the Arizona Revised Statutes, cyclists operating on the roadway or shoulder must follow the same rules that apply to drivers (see A.R.S. 28-812). Yet, sidewalks ARE NOT part of the roadway or shoulder according to our statutes (see A.R.S. 28-601). And even further, drivers of motor vehicles are expressly forbidden from driving on sidewalks (see A.R.S. 28-904). That is the sum total of State Statutes on the topic. In short, there is no Arizona state law that prohibits or even mentions cycling on sidewalks.

HOLD ON – we are not done yet. Even though there is not a state law that prohibits cycling on a sidewalk, it can still be illegal. “How is that possible?” you ask… Our Arizona Revised Statutes specifically grant local municipalities to further regulate the operation of bicycles (see A.R.S. 28-627). “Oh come on!” you may be thinking… and “how am I supposed to know each little city’s local rules?” That is right. It is sort of a bum deal for the cyclist who rides in a metropolitan area such as Maricopa county which is literally covered by 24 cities and towns which in large part all connect. And to make it worse this doesn’t even account for the towns and cities that are in Pinal county that also border and connect to many of the cities in Maricopa county. It is very possible for a cyclist to go for a ride and cross through 4-10 different cities. And in each case they will have their own unique laws. Whats even more problematic, is that the local law enforcement is often mistaken about the local laws and will issue citations in error against the cyclist.

“Real Life” example – a cyclist in the east valley goes for a standard 25-40 mile ride with some friends starting in Gilbert Arizona. The small group rides through sections of Gilbert and up into Mesa Arizona briefly passing through the ASU area of Tempe Arizona before returning back home through Mesa and then into Arizona. Classic route and often traveled. While in Gilbert the cyclist may ride on the sidewalk so long as there isn’t a sign prohibiting it and may even ride in any direction he/she chooses on the sidewalk. When entering Mesa it is very different. In Mesa you may ride your bike on any sidewalk EXCEPT if a sign is posted prohibiting. The main difference is that the City Traffic Engineer is the only one authorized to erect the signs and only in a specific geographic area labeled the Pedestrian Overlay Area (or POA). Thus, when in Mesa Arizona have at on the sidewalks unless you enter the boundaries of the POA at which point you need to be on the lookout for any signs prohibiting the operation of bicycles on the sidewalks. Its good to know this section of Mesa to avoid any unnecessary citations. Then when headed to Tempe Arizona a cyclist may ride on the sidewalk so long as a sign is not erected which bans sidewalk riding – BUT the cyclist may only ride in the direction of traffic when riding on the sidewalk. Then this same cyclist (now firmly accustomed to the Maricopa county “sign” rules of the various local municipalities) drives down to Tucson to hit up Mt. Lemon or ride/race in the national famous El Tour de Tucson. The cyclist leaves his or her hotel and notices no signage prohibiting sidewalk riding, he/she rides via the sidewalk for a short stretch to get to the start of the route and gets immediately busted by the local cops. Why? Because Tucson simply and absolutely prohibits sidewalk riding UNLESS a sign expressly permits it (see Tucson Municipal code section 5-2). Tucson Arizona – backwards from the rest of the state. It gets confusing right? Yes. Best to know and understand every local community’s rules for operating a bicycle if you wish to avoid a citation, or more importantly to avoid any liability when a car hits you and the officer ends up citing you as the cyclist! When a cyclist is cited, even improperly, the insurance companies adamantly deny paying out any coverage for the accidents. It is an incredible process to get citations reversed or dismissed, police reports edited or amended, and insurance adjustors to change their opinion when they think the cyclist is at fault.

City of Mesa Arizona Pedestrian Overlay Area (POA) Map

How about the even bigger issue that some of you may be asking yourself: “Why wold you ride on the sidewalk anyways?” Great question! I highly recommend that you avoid riding on the sidewalk all together. You are actually far safer to ride in the street with the cars than on the sidewalk! In a 2010 bicycle collision summary report published by the City of Phoenix, it appears that in approximately 70% of the bicycle collisions the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk just before the collision. There have not been these same reports as widely published or produced since 2010. Yet the data seems to remain the same – riding on the sidewalk is far more dangerous than riding appropriately in the streets.

For now, lets just be safe out there on our bikes. Lets be extra cautious as we approach sidewalks, intersections, etc. When deciding to ride on the sidewalk in Arizona I would consult the local municipal codes first to ensure that you are not violating there laws. In Maricopa county you can almost rest easy to know that it is allowed unless there is a sign prohibiting it (with some exceptions of course). Be sure to travel in the right direction and not against the flow of traffic.

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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). 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 Arizona 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.

Pagosa Springs Colorado – One of the BEST Summer Cycling Destinations

You know you might have an addiction to cycling when you go on vacation and pack more cycling gear than actual clothes, more bikes than swimsuits, and more cycling magazines that you have meaning to read than there are hours in the day. I knew my little family of 3 was unique when we loaded up our mini van to head to Colorado for a week long vacation and we brought 7 bicycles with us, I don’t even know how many cycling magazines, and only 3 swimsuits. My little family consists of my wife, my son, and myself. “How is that possible?” is a thought that must have passed through the minds of everyone we sped past on the highway driving from Arizona to Colorado. I’ll tell you what, when you love to ride your bike as much as we do then you bring your bike(s) with you when you travel. I had that mini van crammed to the limits with three bikes inside, and four more on a hitch bike rack in the rear. We had our mountain bikes, road bikes, grandma’s bike, and my son’s bike. It was quite a sight. It was probably the first time I realized that we might have an addiction to cycling.

Pagosa Springs Colorado is famous for their natural hot springs. Many claim that these mineral springs are somehow magically healing. I’m not in a position to doubt them as we enjoyed the springs 6 out of 7 nights we stayed there and I admit I feel much better after having sat in them… but that could just be that we finally took some time relax. In any event, this town is famous for hot springs, surely you would pack all sorts of swim gear. Well, we packed all sorts of cycling gear and a ton of bicycles. Why? Because we love to ride our bikes, and Pagosa Springs Colorado also boasts some impressive scenery where your breath can literally be taken away by the beauty. We didn’t want to miss a single experience. We rode our bikes on the road, in the mountains, through the cattle ranches and farms, and all over town. Everywhere we went we had a bike experience that left a lasting impression.

I doubt that you can ride much here in the winter, but the summer is awesome! I made it a point to stop by a local bike shop to get the “lay of the land” so to speak as to where the great rides were and what to avoid. It is a very good idea to check in with the locals before heading out because there may be some construction to avoid or some notoriously wild and dangerous routes to avoid. I stopped by Pagosa Mountain Sports, and was treated with welcoming kindness. It was a cool little shop and was really well stocked for a small town. They had an extreme amount of very relevant local info on some nearby trails and even the roads I should avoid when I headed out on my road bike. They had just finished building some new mountain bike trails a couple of days prior to me arriving and were very eager to share the route with me. The trail was awesome! Had I not stopped by I would never have known about the new trails and the epic views from the top that these trails were a part of. I must say if you ever head to Pagosa Springs, stop by Pagosa Mountain Sports and say hello – they really know their stuff.

Next time you pass through or near Colorado in the summertime, hit up Pagosa Springs and check out all of the fantastic biking in their nearby Rocky mountains. Oh, and don’t forget to check out their hot springs too – because you should have packed at least one swim suit…

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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). 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 Arizona 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.

Thank You Bike

In the last few weeks I have competed in several endurance races including the El Tour de Mesa – a classic tour race in Arizona, my first Criterium race (El Tour Criterium State Championships), Ironman St. George 70.3, and just a couple of days ago I set a PR at Ironman Texas 140.6. I have to say that this last one was incredible and one of my more memorable races. The heat and humidity was unbearable, but the wind is what finally did us all in. Houston Texas is crazy hot, crazy humid, and yes it can be very windy! The thing I learned the most through all of this is: I love my bike. I love to bike. Thank you bike.

While I will always have a love for triathlons, and especially Ironman, I feel my heart trending more and more towards the feel of two pedals and the road/dirt pathways. Running has never really been my thing. Believe me; I have tried all sorts of running from the 8 full Ironman races, Countless Ironman 70.3s, various marathons, 10Ks, 6Ks, and even a few ultra distance marathons with 50+ miles of running. Its just at the end of the day what makes my heart tick is not the pounding of the pavement but rather the enchanting roll an aero bike and the smooth pedal stroke that almost hypnotically puts me in a state of peace. I love to bike. I love to bike and respect those who love to run. My good friend recently finished an epic endurance run across the entire length of Puerto Rico. It was 183 miles and it took him over 40 hours of straight running. He finished 4th over all and by all means is a hero in my book. What a stud. He just loves to run. I know of no one who loves running more than my friend.

At the end of the day I hope we all find something that allows us to detach from our cell phone and digital word a bit and takes out into the natural world. I hope we find something that will push us to exert such efforts as to develop pride and strong character in our achievements. Something that will introduce us to the peace and tranquility of inner discovery. I hope we will learn to appreciate those difficult moments; those windy and rainy days, so we can recognize and love the good moments. My bike is what has reconnected me to something bigger than myself. My bike has taken me (and I have taken it) to extremes. It has been on my bike in the early morning hours that I have been lucky enough to see amazing sunrises and meet wonderful people. My bike has allowed me to be healthier and skinnier. My bike has brought me countless experiences and memories which have helped shape me into a better person. I hope you all get an opportunity to enjoy similar things. Whether it be running, rowing, boating, swimming, horse back riding, etc. – I hope you all find something that introduces you to our natural world. If you don’t have anything, may I suggest a bike? It is awesome.

Thank you bike.

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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). 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 Arizona 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.

Tucson – 6th Best Cycling City in the U.S.

Tucson Arizona – Ranked 6th Best Cycling City in the U.S. by the Travel Channel. For most of us native Arizona cyclists, it comes as no surprise that Tucson Arizona is nothing short of awesome in the cycling world. Why else would professional cyclists winter here? It can’t be just the weather. Here is why our own super-town Tucson Arizona ranks so high, in my opinion and an opinion now shared by the Travel Channel:
1. Tucson is a desert oasis. Tucson is a fantastic city rich in culture and truly an oasis in this great southwest desert. The city has over 700 miles of designated bikeways. That is more bicycle infrastructure than any other city in the entire United States. What other desert town pops up and provides such beautiful bikeways designated just for cyclists? The city is host to Perimeter Cycling Association, an organization that proudly puts on cycling events throughout Arizona. Their champion event is the El Tour de Tucson every November. This event alone has one of the largest positive economic impacts and revenue generation for the entire county. There are typically 8,000-12,000 cyclists in attendance every year, and their friends and family often come along wither to race in this great 100+ mile classic tour around Tucson. In many many ways, Tucson truly is an Oasis in the desert – providing cyclists with relief and opportunities.

2. Tucson is home to Mt. Lemmon, and other world famous climbs. Of the top 100 Toughest Road Bike Climbs in the U.S., three are here in Tucson with the grand champion Mt. Lemmon ranking 33rd on the list (ranked by John Summerson in “The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike”). Mt. Lemon is commonly ranked as “hors category” or “category 1” on the scale used to rank climbs in the European stage racing. At anytime during the year, but especially in the fall and spring months, a cyclist will encounter fellow cyclists from all over the world. The climb to the Summit is approximately 23 miles and 6600 feet of elevation gain. It’s a notch in the belt of any cyclist and one of the favorite training rides for Lance Armstrong.

3. Epic Mountain Biking. Surrounding the desert Oasis of Tucson is a myriad extremely cool mountain biking trails literally in the nearby mountains and/or in the desert pathways. The interconnected mountain bike trails offer something for everyone including the beginners, the intermediate riders or even our very own advanced riders. These trails are truly epic.

These are just three amazing reasons of many as to why our very own Tucson is ranked as the 6th best cycling city in the U.S. Congrats to us! Tucson rocks. If you have not yet been to Tucson and enjoyed the cycling culture, trails, climbing, designated bike paths, and more – then you are truly missing out on one of the best cycling experiences in America. We love Tucson Arizona cycling!

Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC was formally founded in January of 2013 by Tucson Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ben Dodge. A 7 time Ironman competitor and endurance cyclist, Ben made the decision in January of 2013 to take his personal injury experience and dedicate it solely to bike accident victims. He founded an entire law firm with one purpose: Representing Cyclists. Now with offices in Tucson Arizona, Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC exists to aggressively and effectively represent injured cyclists in and throughout Arizona. Ben is a member of Bike Law and can help a cyclist get excellent representation from a fellow Bike Law attorney throughout the entire country. Now with a firm entirely dedicated and focused on protecting the rights of Arizona cyclists and Arizona bike accident victims, Ben has turned his job into his passion.

Our new Tucson Arizona law Office is conveniently located right near downtown Tucson just a minute or two off of Interstate 10 at: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson Arizona 85701. Our telephone number remains 855.663.3922.

Alliance for Biking & Walking Partners with Bike Law!

New Partnership with Alliance for Biking and Walking

Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys PLC is a proud member of Bike Law and represents cyclists throughout Arizona and the southwest. As a proud member of Bike Law, a national network of bicycle lawyers, we are proud to announce a new partnership with the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This partnership will allow more cyclists to get qualified and expert legal assistance throughout the country. Ben practices law in Arizona and primarily represents cyclists in Arizona; however, Ben can assist a cyclist anywhere in the United States and hep find qualified representation through the Bike Law network. We welcome this new partnership eagerly look forward to the growth and improved representation available to cyclists everywhere.

The Bike Law Network

The Bike Law Network is a team of like-minded bicycle advocates and accident attorneys. Founded by Peter Wilborn, Bob Mionske, and Ann Groninger, it has expanded to cover 20 states. The Arizona Bike Law attorney is our very own Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC. Alliance members have access to on-call assistance from national experts, including pro-bono legal services offered by Bike Law.

You can reach them at info@bikelaw.com and at (844) 531-7530. Or contact directly the Bike Law lawyer in your state.

Bike Attorneys

Click each state name to view the full directory on BikeLaw.com.

Alabama

Danny Feldman, danny@bikelaw.com

Arizona

Ben Dodge, ben@bikelaw.com

Colorado

Brien Weiss, brian@bikelaw.com
Jason Crawford, jason@bikelaw.com

Georgia

Bruce Hagen, bruce@bikelaw.com

Idaho

Kurt Holzer, kurt@bikelaw.com

Illinois

Jim Freeman jim@bikelaw.com
Brendan Kevenides, brendan@bikelaw.com

Iowa

Jim Freeman, jim@bikelaw.com

Kansas

Vance Preman, vance@bikelaw.com

Louisiana

Charlie Thomas, charlie@bikelaw.com

Maryland

Peter Wilborn, peter@bikelaw.com

Michigan

Bryan Waldman, bryan@bikelaw.com

Minnesota

Randy Knutson, randy@bikelaw.com

Mississippi

Charlie Thomas, charlie@bikelaw.com

Missouri

Vance Preman, vance@bikelaw.com

New York

Upstate NY: Jim Reed, jimreed@bikelaw.com
NYC area: Daniel Flanzig, daniel@bikelaw.com

North Carolina

Ann Groninger, ann@bikelaw.com

Oregon

Bob Mionske, bob@bikelaw.com

Pennsylvania

Jim Reed, jimreed@bikelaw.com

South Carolina

Peter Wilborn, peter@bikelaw.com
Timmy Finch, timmy@bikelaw.com

Tennessee

Amy Benner, amy@bikelaw.com

Texas

Charlie Thomas, charlie@bikelaw.com

Utah

Jackie Carmichael, jackie@bikelaw.com

Tucson Arizona Bicycle Lawyer

We are proud to officially open a new Tucson Arizona office location for Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC. Tucson has long been one of the best cities in America to ride bicycles. With many pro cyclists and avid athletes, Tucson boasts one of the highest rankings in the country for cyclists. There are a ton of epic rides in Tucson Arizona and one world famous easily comes to mind: Mt. Lemon. Need I say more? Everyone loves Mt. Lemon, even if you hate to climb you will be drawn in by the pure majesty of climbing Mt. Lemon. I’m proud to have an official physical office in Tucson Arizona. I have a great deal of clients in Tucson and this office will better serve their needs.

Our new Tucson Arizona law Office is conveniently located right near downtown Tucson just a minute or two off of Interstate 10 at:

One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson Arizona 85701. Our telephone number remains 855.663.3922.

A little about my firm: Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC was formally founded in January of 2013 by Bicycle Accident Lawyer Ben Dodge. A 7 time Ironman competitor and endurance cyclist, Ben made the decision in January of 2013 to take his personal injury experience and dedicate it solely to bike accident victims. He founded an entire law firm with one purpose: Representing Cyclists. Now with offices in Tucson Arizona, Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC exists to aggressively and effectively represent injured cyclists in and throughout Arizona. Ben is a member of Bike Law and can help a cyclist get excellent representation from a fellow Bike Law attorney throughout the entire country. Now with a firm entirely dedicated and focused on protecting the rights of Arizona cyclists and Arizona bike accident victims, Ben has turned his job into his passion.

The National Bike Law Network is a select group of like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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.

The attorneys at Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC are unlike any other personal injury attorneys. They are cyclists first and personal injury attorneys second. They know and love cycling in and out. They eat, drink, and breathe cycling. Clients of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC are not just clients, they are fellow cyclists first. There is deep understanding, compassion, and great personal care taken by the attorneys on every bike accident case in Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC because they know and understand what its like to be a cyclist. They know your rights as a cyclist. They understand the frustrations cyclists have towards negligent drivers. The bike accident attorneys at this firm are still riding their bikes, still competing in bike races and triathlons. They are actively involved in the bicycle community locally and nationally to stay in tune with recent legal developments. Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC proudly stands up for cyclists through its sponsorship a number of non profit organizations dedicated to improving the safety of cyclists.

Ben Dodge is a Tucson Arizona bicycle lawyer focused entirely on bike accidents. Ben only represents cyclists and is proud to be a Tucson Arizona Bike Accident Attorney for such a growing and enthusiastic cycling town as Tucson.

The “Insurance Shuffle” Game – What your Ins. Co. will do in your case.

Most people get the fact that insurance companies only stay in business by paying out as little as possible, if any at all. One of their favorite games is to play what I call the “Insurance Shuffle.” Typically they will start off pretty strong in the beginning, and then switch you to a variety of other claims adjustors or “Senior Claims Reps” before every settling. Many insurance companies have bonus structures set up for their agents based on how little they pay within their range of settlement discretion. If there is any wiggle room whatsoever in a case these initial claims adjustors try and stick it to you making it seem like your case has zero or very little value. They will often come up with crazy reasons as why the medical treatments you received are not related to your accident, or are not justified by it. Anything to lower the value of your case.

If you are persistent and can present the facts in a clear and reasonable manner then you eventually you can get them to bump their offer up. In this case the Hartford insurance company insultingly increased their offer by about $500-$2,000 per counter offer. They were barely even covering the medical expenses of my client. It has been 1.75 years of brow beating negotiations where they have continued to try and take advantage of my client. The offers and acceptance of liability on their part were like pulling teeth – notwithstanding their insured driver had been clearly cited for blatant violations of the traffic laws and run right over my cyclist.

So, after almost two years of frustration my client and I counseled together and I explained that filing a lawsuit would be the next step. The current low settlement offer on the table would barely cover their medical expenses and this was unacceptable to both of us. I knew that once we filed the law suit we would likely get to discuss the merits of the case with the Hartford’s legal team as opposed to the claims adjustors who we had been dealing with thus far. Happy and eager to file the suit on behalf of my clients we prepared a great law suit and served it on all relevant parties. Waiting the required 20 days for their response was a suspense that I am accustomed to. just a couple of days before the 20 day deadline we received a letter faxed to us from the Hartford. Was it from their legal team? Nope. They had pulled the “Insurance Shuffle” and assigned us a “Sr. Claim Rep” for any “further correspondence” and for “further handling.” You can see the letter below:

Classic "Insurance Shuffle" Letter — Classic “Insurance Shuffle” Letter

I admit I am not surprised. This is Hartford’s policy. Eventually because of the law suit I will be talking to their legal counsel. But for now, they are attempting once again with someone who apparently has more authority to settle at a higher amount than the prior adjustors we had previously been dealing with. The letter even stated that this new “Sr. Claim Rep” can “better serve” me and my client. I wonder how? And if so, then why not assign them to us earlier when I had emailed them a copy of my law suit weeks before I filed it stating that they should entertain reasonable negotiations with us or we will be forced to file this suit. Instead, they continued to play hardball and forced my client to file a law suit.

This is the “Insurance Shuffle” in one of its many varieties… Yes, there are many faces to the Insurance Shuffle including but not limited to the: lets “better serve” you by assigning you a senior claim rep at the last moment after we have made you file a law suit. We can just shuffle them around until they are tired of chasing us and then maybe they will finally settle this case. Well, that doesn’t work at my firm. We don’t stand for those games. Our insurance companies have two very simple and clear alternatives when dealing with us:

Be fair and reasonable and pay what our client deserves and we will settle out of court; or
Be unfair and unreasonable and we will file a law suit against them. End of story.

I have attached a copy of the letter for your viewing pleasure. It has been redacted to protect my client’s privacy. The red lined additions and notes are mine so you can see what they were doing. Really, after a while you just shake your head and laugh it off in my line of work wondering why they keep playing the same games… Don’t they know we will just sue them?

Be safe out there and ride it like you stole it!

Ben Dodge, Cyclist & Bike Accident Attorney

***

Arizona bicycle accident attorney 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.

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 Dodge is a proud member of Bike Law. Bike Law is a national network of elite like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, 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:

your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
the applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
the process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
the value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of bike accident attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.one.ez.call). 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 Arizona Bicycle Lawyer today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His main 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

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.

National Cycling Advocacy on “The Hill”

Eric Post and Ben Dodge - D.C. 2015 — Eric Post and Ben Dodge – D.C. 2015

Every year at the national League of American Bicyclists summit cyclists from all over the country gather in a united cause for advocacy. Those in attendance are the who’s who of bicycle advocacy on both a national and state level. In short, the LAB Summit is an exciting week long event of bicycle centered advocacy.

I had the opportunity to head to Capitol Hill and meet with many of Arizona’s legislators in the house and the senate. Many of the senators and representatives were busy tasked with upcoming bills; however they did allow for meetings throughout the day with their staffers or legislative correspondents. It was incredible to be on “the hill” making our case for improved bicycle safety and bicycle funding. I loved every ounce of “the hill” and eagerly await another opportunity to return and advocate for cycling.

Senator John McCain's office - D.C. 2015 — Senator John McCain’s office – D.C. 2015

My first meeting was with Senator McCain’s staff. They were gracious and polite. I appreciated their willingness to meet with a few of us from Arizona. We were well prepared with our talking points and our “asks” – for example, we asked for Senator McCain to co-sponsor an upcoming bill related to continued funding for transpiration and the reapportionment of a percentage of those to the states thereby allowing Arizona as a state to dictate which cities should have access to those funds for improved bike paths, etc.

Right to Left: Arizona Bicycle Lawyer Ben Dodge, CEO League of American Bicyclists Andy Clarke, Colorado Bicycle Lawyer Brian Weiss.

Bike Accident Lawyer Ben Dodge on “The Hill” fighting for cyclists’ rights.

The meeting went well, but I could tell that the “staffer” was mostly nodding his head out of kindness and did a lot of listening to our points, etc. but not really offering any support or insight. It seemed as though they are burdened with accepting meetings such as this all the time; and that in a way they couldn’t wait for it to just be finished so they could grab lunch before their next meeting with some other group wanting to express concerns on any given issue and ask for the Senator’s support as well. I couldn’t help but wonder how effective it really is to head to the hill and make your case. Yet on the other hand, every voice counts and there is one certainty: no voice at all is easiest to go unheard.

The other meetings with other senators went all about the same. They each sent a staffer and we made our case, left behind some materials, and asked for their support. I look forward to going again and again and again to show the persistence and importance of these issues. It is real and unequivocally helpful to reach out to your Senator or Congressman with your concerns when you have them, otherwise those concerns have zero hope for redress.

Arizona Bicycle Lawyer Ben Dodge in front of the White House – D.C. 2015

Of course, Washington D.C. is like no other city on earth. It has a majestic and noble feel to it in every building and monument you see. This city is rich with American history and culture. The monuments in particular are very inspiring. On one afternoon a few of us jammed around on bicycles and saw as many national monuments as possible. It was a blast! I rode the Bike Law cargo bike and I’ll tell you what, that thing is squirrely at first! The front wheel and steering mechanism is impressive and eventually your bike handling skills improve along with your confidence to jam through traffic like its no big deal. But taking that cargo bike up hill is a completely different story. It easily weighs in at least 3x my Focus bicycle, but I wouldn’t trade my Washington D.C. biking experiences for anything – what an awesome way to see these breathtaking national sites.

Bike Law Ben at Washington Monument – D.C. 2015 by bike

Bike Law Ben in front of Jefferson Memorial – D.C. 2015 by bike

Bike Law Ben in front of Iwo Jima Memorial – D.C. 2015 by bike

Bike Law Ben at Arlington National Cemetery – D.C. 2015 by bike

“Educating the Police about Bicycling”

While I attended the 1st ever annual “Bike Law Summit” in Austin Texas a few weeks ago, the other attorneys in various states around the country all chimed in on reaching out to local police departments and offering training to the officers. Some have already done so in their states and have had great success in helping the police better understand bicycle accidents.

I was instantly intrigued by this idea and committed to doing this in Arizona. As member of this elite group of dedicated bicycle lawyers, I am privy to many such good ideas and their national support for Arizona bicycle advocacy. In a fantastic post today by a guest blogger named Dr. Steven Goodridge of NC, our Bike Law network published his post on how to educate police about bicycling as he draws from personal experience in North Carolina. Great read – good ideas for us all. His original post is reproduced below in its entirety or can be found on our Bike Law network blog:

“In her August blog post Police & Cyclists, Ann Groninger described some of the problems faced by cyclists when police don’t understand or respect bicyclists’ legal rights. Because most police obtain no special training about bicycling, they share many of the same misconceptions and biases as the general public. So what can be done about it?

One possibility would be for the North Carolina Justice Academy to enhance the very basic bicycle information that appears in the traffic curriculum they set for Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) . This way, all new officers in the state would be better educated. Unfortunately, many important subjects and skill sets compete for inclusion in the dense BLET curriculum. It will be difficult to get a nuanced discussion of cycling laws and best bicycling practices included in BLET when other potentially life-or-death knowledge doesn’t make the cut.

Police officers receive in-service training continuously throughout their careers. Such training provides the opportunity for deeper coverage of special topics, and is an ideal way to introduce better bicycling information to officers. BikeWalk NC has developed an in-service training program called “Bicyclist Safety and Law Enforcement” to cover bicyclists’ legal rights and responsibilities, defensive bicycling practices, types and causes of common crashes, and effective enforcement activities to promote bicyclist safety. This training program was originally developed as an online Moodle course in cooperation with the Raleigh Police Department and the Raleigh Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. All sworn officers in the Raleigh Police Department were required to complete the course on RPDnet as of May 2011. Since then, BikeWalk NC has delivered customized versions of the course to the Town of Cary PD and NC State University PD, and has made a generic state-wide version available on its web site.

The Bicyclist Safety and Law Enforcement program was developed to provide all officers with essential background information about traffic bicycling. The primary goals include:

• Empathizing police officers to bicyclists’ concerns;
• Spreading awareness of bicyclists’ roadway rights as fully entitled drivers of vehicles under the law;
• Familiarizing police officers with defensive, legal bicycling practices such as lane control;
• Associating common crash types with the moving violations that cause them;
• Prioritizing violations for enforcement based on risk (for motorists: drunk driving, failure to yield, unsafe passing, and failure to reduce speed; for bicyclists: wrong way cycling, unlighted night cycling, and failure to yield).

Feedback from police has been that the program increased awareness of bicycling issues and improved the handling of car-bike collision investigations.

Local police departments can incorporate this program into their in-service training in a number of ways, including setting it up as an online course, viewing the narrated video, or teaching it in-person based on the lesson plan, which follows the instructional design format used by the NC Justice Academy. Different departments have different needs for instruction format, which is why BikeWalk NC provides it in multiple forms. The biggest challenge to getting the training into a local department is finding a local champion in the department or city government who will make it happen. As outsiders to the police department, local bicyclist advocates cannot make police prioritize bicycling education. It is essential for advocates to develop a strong relationship with local government representatives such as city council, transportation planners, and the traffic enforcement division in order to convince them that the training program is worthwhile. A local bicycle/pedestrian advisory commission is an ideal route for developing police involvement.

Some cities in NC are conducting targeted education and enforcement activities to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. The Watch for Me NC campaign deployed by the NCDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Division provides police training on how to conduct targeted safety efforts such as crosswalk stings, where officers walk through crosswalks to detect drivers who fail to yield, and follow up with warnings or tickets. Although the Watch for Me campaign involves small teams of officers rather than educating the entire department, it nevertheless provides a useful way to increase local subject matter knowledge. Municipalities that wish to participate in the Watch for Me NC campaign and obtain training, materials and other assistance should apply via the process detailed on the website. Partners will be selected through a competitive application process. The application will be available January 26 and will be due March 27, 2015.

Like BikeWalk NC’s in-service training, bringing the Watch for Me NC campaign to your community requires motivated government representatives. Local advocates must network with their local police, transportation planners, and elected officials. The reality is that enforcement priorities are often political, and as they say, all politics is local.

****

Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. contributed heavily to the content and editing of Bike Law Books # 1, the Ride Guide to North Carolina Bicycle Laws. Steve is an avid utility and recreational bicyclist who lives and works in Cary, North Carolina. An advocate for bicyclists since 1999, he is currently a board member of BikeWalk NC and is a League of American Bicyclists League Certified Instructor. In his professional work as an electrical engineer, Steven develops digital audio, video and communications technologies for law enforcement and defense applications. Steven enjoys doing volunteer work with local police departments, cycling organizations and schools to promote better understanding of traffic laws, best bicycling practices, and effective enforcement techniques to support safer cycling.”

Everything You Need to Know About Medical Bills During Your Bicycle Accident Case

So what do you do when you get medical bills in the mail from your bicycle accident? The accident wasn’t even your fault and now you’re stuck with medical bills you can’t afford because your case hasn’t even settled yet. Seems unfair doesn’t it?

Your bicycle personal injury attorney may be able to offer some valuable help. Consulting with an experienced bicycle accident attorney is your first step. If you were my client I would you tell you these two basic principles: (1) Avoid Collections; and (2) Be Patient. Suffering from a bicycle accident can be traumatic enough without having to be sent to collections. You should avoid collections as best as possible. And of course, be patient. Accident cases may take a long time before they actually settle out. Insurance companies are in no hurry to open up their bank accounts and pay you money. They will take their time and are often misguided in the valuation of bicycle accident cases. Their typical under valuation of your bicycle accident case will naturally result in a longer litigation period to get them to realize what your claim is really worth. Most of the insurance adjustors are still trying to wrap their head around the fact that your bicycle may be worth more than their car! Since these cases may take months and even years to receive any compensation, it is a good idea to understand how medical billing may affect you and to know what you can do to minimize any negative risks. It is likely that sometime during your bicycle accident case you will be confronted with medical bills.

Medical Liens

One of the classic ways to deal with a medical provider is to get them to put a lien on your insurance settlement in lieu of billing you up front. That way when your case is settled the medical providers can be paid directly out of the proceeds of your case. One downside to this approach is that liens have to be paid prior to you getting any money for your self. These liens can and are often negotiated to a much lesser amount. Lien negotiations are an important aspect to our bicycle accident law practice. We save our clients thousands of dollars by encouraging medical providers to put liens in place and then negotiate those liens down when the case finally settles. Unfortunately, not all medical providers will put liens in place. They do not want to, nor can they be forced to wait until a settlement to collect on the services that they provided.

Submit to Insurance

Another way of handling your medical bills is to submit them all to your own health insurance company and pay your co-pays/deductible. This allows the medical provider to get paid now and keeps them for sending you to collections while you await your settlement. One downside to this approach is that your own insurance company may want to be reimbursed for the expenses they paid on your behalf since another individual (i.e. a 3rd party) was found to be liable/responsible for your accident – after all the 3rd party did hit you! If this is the case your own health insurance may submit a claim for subrogation. Subrogation is when your insurance company requires reimbursement out of your settlement proceeds for the medical bills they paid out since they weren’t responsible – in other words, they’ll say we want the 3rd party guy’s insurance to pay for all this since he hit you. These subrogation rights can also be negotiated, but are less likely to be reduced as much as medical liens.

Payment Plan

If you do not have health insurance, and/or the medical providers were unwilling to put a lien in place, then your best bet is to enter into a small payment plan with your medical providers to keep them happy and to keep you out of collections. Many hospitals and medical providers are willing to accept small monthly payments instead of paying the high % fees of collection companies. Entering into a payment plan with them is a good idea if it keeps you out of collections. Also, settling with them directly on the overall balance is generally possible. They may be willing to accept 50% or less as paid in full. Either way, when you negotiate a payment plan or settlement in full with a medical provider – make sure it is in writing!

Summary

Bicycle accident cases can take months and may even take a couple of years to settle out. During this time period you will receive medical care and be confronted with a variety of financial scenarios when paying them. It’s best to use a qualified and experienced bicycle accident attorney to help you navigate these issues. With the help of your attorney you may be able to get liens put in place, or bills submitted to your own health insurance carrier. In both cases your attorney can help you negotiate these liens/bills down at the time of settlement and in both cases you are kept out of collections. Alternatively, your attorney can assist you in contacting your medical providers and setting up payment plans for you to make small monthly payments and keep you out of collections. Bicycle accident cases are complex and you need not be forced into collections as a result of pending medical bills you can’t afford. Avoid collections and be patient.

Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney Ben Dodge

Ben Dodge - Experienced Bike Accident Attorney — Ben Dodge – Experienced Bike Accident Attorney

If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident, 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.

Ben 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 is a member of the National Bike Law Network. This is a select group of like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represent 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

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:

Your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
The applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
Your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
The process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
The value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.ONE.EZ.CALL). 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. Mr. Dodge 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 today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His Main 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

Salt Lake City Utah Office
299 South Main
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

St. George Utah Office
321 N. Mall Drive, Suite 103
St. George, Utah 84790

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. He has helped cyclists in New York, Texas, California, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Idiot Trial Lawyers: Why the Judge Gave Us Everything We Asked For!

At the risk of ranting against my own profession, I was in trial today and utterly amazed at defense counsel. Today’s trial should have and could have been completely avoided but for the idiot defense lawyer on the other side – so we won everything we asked for. I know plenty of attorneys who are very admirable and wonderful people. Yet, every once in a while you come across that one guy who absolutely reinforces the negative attitude most normal people have against attorneys. Today was no exception. We walked into the court room confident in a win for my client and yet confused as to why we even needed a trial on the particular issues the other side so adamantly defended. And in the end, it was as predicted… we won everything we asked for. Why? It’s simple, every winning strategy will have these basic principles regardless of the nature of the individual case.

The general rule of thumb and premise of this article is very simple, if you want the judge to give you what you want then: Don’t hire an idiot lawyer. Hire a smart lawyer. Judges don’t rule in favor of idiots, or least not very often. Here’s a brief list of what idiot lawyers do or don’t do, and that is exactly why they always lose.

Know the law. An idiot lawyer won’t be well versed in the law surrounding his arguments. A smart lawyer will have studied the law, the local rules, and the court’s specific rules/instructions for every single aspect of his/her argument. The smart lawyer will have thought ahead and anticipated potential legal issues which need to be made and then find the law to support the arguments. The idiot lawyer will show up relying on his or her own puffery, or personal interpretation of the law instead of the actual statutes, laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Often the idiot lawyer will not have even been aware of a specific and controlling rule of law which is material to his or her case. This is exactly what happened to me today; and was absolutely one of the reasons the judge gave me everything I asked for. The defense lawyer had no idea what the rule of law was on a very key issue to the case. At one point the judge looked at the defense lawyer with a confused look and interrupted the line of questioning citing that none of it was even relevant to the law or the case. Sadly, the lawyer still didn’t understand and restated questions but continued down the same illogical and incorrect path. At which point the judge looked at me with a confused look, shook his head, and smiled at me. That was a confirming point in the trial wherein I knew once again we had won this case before we even started. The first time I knew we had one was before the trial even started and the judge asked for us to join him in his chambers… more on that priceless moment in a bit.
Know the facts. An idiot lawyer will lose a case because he/she doesn’t actually know all of the facts. You wouldn’t think this happens, but unfortunately this is an absolutely common occurrence. A smart lawyer will know every detail of his/her case and how those details affect the case (i.e. the interplay between the facts of the case and the law). Today the judge gave me everything I asked for and did so in part, because the defense lawyer didn’t even know all of the facts of the case. The biggest embarrassment was the defense attorney couldn’t even pronounce her own client’s name correctly. She repeatedly mispronounced her client’s name over and over again during her direct examination. It was so awkward that even the judge looked to me again with a look of confusion. I couldn’t help but make first question on cross examination something along these lines: “I just want to be clear, I thought your name is pronounced ________(fill in the blank correctly) instead of _________ (the wrong way), is that true? Priceless.
Read the Judicial Cues. Judges are people too. They are supposed to be impartial and unbiased. They are supposed to approach every case with a clear and open mind as a trier of fact and/or a decision maker issuing rulings. Yet they have feelings, impressions, and opinions. Their patience only lasts so long. Their tolerance only lasts so long. An idiot attorney will ignore these signs and completely miss the cues that judges are always giving. A smart attorney knows how to see the case from much more than the legal and factual perspective. A smart attorney will be able to see how the judge looks at the case as well and begin to feel when the judge is agreeing with you or growing impatient with you. Today the judicial cues were ENORMOUS and completely missed by the defense attorney. The entire case the judge was dropping hints about the potential positions of each party involved. I personally wondered how on earth we ended up in trial today with so many blatant hints as to the position the judge was taking. Any reasonable and half intelligent attorney would have seen this and advised their client to begin settling. But alas, in my case the defense attorney was so off base that she really thought she would win even though she didn’t know the law nor the facts. This message was constantly reinforced to the client throughout the entirety of the case. I can only imagine how those private conversations went: “You are right Mr. Client, and you have a great case. Lets keep driving this thing hard and see if we can get the other side to back down.” This attitude prevailed through the whole case and never ceased to amaze me. At every turn the defense always thought they were right and were genuinely surprised at losing. In any event, the most priceless moment in this case was at the outset. The judicial assistant came into the court room and asked the attorneys to join the judge in chambers. Sitting down with the judge, he opened stating the obvious (or at least it was obvious to myself and to him): “Why are we here? Are we really having a trial today?” I jumped on this opportunity to chime in and join my sentiment with his. He then asked us if we wanted to know his thoughts regarding the case. An idiot attorney will decline such an invitation or not understand its importance. The defense attorney just stared at the judge in confusion as to what was happening. I chimed in again and expressed my delight at an opportunity to know the judges thoughts about our case prior to a trial – it was a true treat. After a short conversation where the judge recommended that we reach an agreement because a ruling would not benefit defense counsel, we departed and held brief settlement talks. The best part is that I walked out of that room not caring what settlement we would reach or not reach, the idiot lawyer has forced us into a trial that was unnecessary – I knew it, and I knew the judge knew it. Priceless. Other judicial cues come during the trial or previous hearings wherein judges grow frustrated at a line of questioning. While sometimes its important to continue these questions in spite of the judge’s negative opinion, extreme caution should be given to that strategy when it’s not a jury trial but rather a bench trial. Don’t frustrate the one making decisions on your client’s behalf.
Be Reasonable – Don’t be Greedy. No one likes the greedy guy. As in many industries, the legal profession typically has a realm of reasonableness. A set of defined limits where you can be asking for too much. For example, a soft tissue bicycle accident where the total medical bills amount to about $3,500.00 with that or less in property damage is generally not a $5,000,000.00 case. Asking for that would be unreasonable and the attorney taking that position will most likely appear to be greedy and an idiot. Sometimes the laws are so clear that you can say a client is entitled to a certain amount in damages, or entitled to a certain range of pain and suffering. When the defined limits seem clear, and the attorney is asking for way more than what is reasonable – then the attorney is typically an idiot and will lose the case. Especially when the attorney doesn’t know the law, rules, or policies affecting the reasonable limits. So it was today, the defense lawyer had dug in so deep into an area of law which so clearly out of the range of reasonableness that her persistence in pursuing that argument not only LOST her the trial; but the judge awarded legal fees reimbursement for my client as a result of having to even go through the trial. The pre-trial settlement talks the judge prompted us to engage in after leaving his chambers were so fruitless because the defense was blind by their own unreasonableness. We went to trial notwithstanding the judge basically telling us what he would rule on before we even started the trial Embarrassing. Be reasonable and operate in the reasonable realm.

If the defense lawyer would have simply known the law and policies in this case then we could have avoided trial all together and a fair settlement would have been entered into months ago. The judge was so sure of that same fact that he awarded a reimbursement of attorneys fees to my client for having to pay for my representation in the trial. Additionally, if the defense lawyer would have just read the judicial cues and operated in the realm of reasonableness then we would have avoided the trial as well.

Fortunately for our profession not all lawyers are idiots. Some of us actually prepare for trial and know our cases and local judges like the back of our hand. Trying cases is a skill and something to look forward to not avoid. I’m proud to say that in the cases I have litigated in Federal and State courts it is more common to come across excellent attorneys as opposed to idiot attorneys. However, be aware… there’s an idiot in every village…

Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney 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.

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 is a member of the National Bike Law Network. This is a select group of like minded bicycle accident attorneys founded in 1998. In concert with the mission of Bike Law, Ben represent 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:

Your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
The applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
Your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
The process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
The value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922. His staff is standing and ready to accept your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day of the year. Mr. Dodge 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 today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com or at ben@bikelaw.com.

His Main 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

Salt Lake City Utah Office
299 South Main
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

St. George Utah Office
321 N. Mall Drive, Suite 103
St. George, Utah 84790

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. He has helped cyclists in New York, Texas, California, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Bicycle Accident with a Pot Hole? or Road Debris? Who Picks up the Medical Bills?

Road debris and poor road conditions can be the cause of accidents to both vehicles and cyclists. However, for a cyclist road debris poses a very dangerous threat. Often a motor vehicle can simply run over the road debris. Cyclists don’t always get that choice. Riding in bike lanes, paths, or roadway shoulders can present an extra ordinary danger of bicycle accidents caused by road debris. It only takes a bit of glass, a stray piece of lumber or branches, an old piece of car tire lying in the way and the cyclist will need to react quickly. Jetting out into the lane of traffic to avoid road debris is certainly legal in Arizona and most states, however it isn’t always a good idea or safe depending on the flow of traffic. 40% of all fatal bike accidents in 2012 were caused by rear end collisions. Its easy to see why cyclists are not always comfortable jetting out into traffic for fear of being hit by a car from behind.

Simply running over the road debris may be the only option cyclists practically posses. This can cause flat tires, bent wheels, or direct impact wrecks. Some debris can’t be run over or even the classic “bunny hop” isn’t always an option such as when you come across a shopping cart, or garbage can, etc. Either way there are some basic elements to prove in order to find compensation.

Proving Negligence

A bicycle accident caused by road debris can happen with anything in the road that is unsafe for a cyclist to come into direct impact with, not just a shopping cart. The tricky issue is finding someone who is responsible for leaving the debris in the road. Finding negligence is the key to finding any sort of financial recovery.

In almost all bicycle accident cases, including claims stemming from crashes involving road hazards, figuring out who to blame — and who will be responsible for damages — will depend on who was negligent. In order for an injured cyclist to prevail on a claim of negligence after an accident involving a road hazard like debris, two important elements must be shown:

1) Someone else breached a duty of care that was owed to the injured cyclist, and

2) The breach of care caused the injured cyclist’ damages.

In a bicycle accident case involving road hazards, the negligent party could be a government agency (i.e. responsible for maintaining the road), or a private party (such as a trucking company that is obligated to secure and transport cargo in a reasonably safe manner).

Government Liability

In such cases the government entity in question would likely be the state or municipal government with direct responsibility for vehicle or the road maintenance. However, claims of negligence against government entities can be made particularly difficult because the government may have sovereign immunity to lawsuits. Sovereign tort immunity can limit the government’s liability considerably, and in many instances the government will still be entirely immune from suit.

Even if sovereign immunity is not applicable, there may still be special requirements for bringing a personal injury claim against a government entity. The rules in this regard also differ from state to state, but typically a “notice of claim” must be filed within a certain period of time after the accident. The applicable period of time is defined by statute, but is typically sixty days. If a notice of claim is not filed with the government agency within the prescribed period of time, the cyclist may have waived any right to bring a lawsuit.

Private Party Liability

Looking now at the private party example, when a bike accident is caused by a road hazard or road debris created by a private party’s negligence (truck cargo falling onto a roadway or into the bike path), all of the facts must be closely examined in order to determine who is liable.

For example, if a vehicle is hauling cargo that would present a serious road hazard if it were to become unsecured and fall onto the highway/bike lane (i.e. pipes, landscaping limbs, construction materials, etc.), the driver of the transporting vehicle owes a duty to cyclists who also use the road to take reasonable precautions to keep the cargo secure. This would include driving in a manner that will keep the cargo from falling onto the roadway or bike lane.

It gets interesting if the same driver is an employee who is transporting cargo for an employer, (like a transportation company or retail distributor), then there is the issue of employer liability for the bicycle accident, under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior. This rule of liability holds an employer liable for the harmful acts (torts) committed by employees who are acting within the normal course of employment. The reason this gets interesting is that while drivers may only carrier minimum insurance limits their employers may carry higher insurance limits making the cyclist’s chances of recovery far greater. In order to be successful here the cyclist must show that the negligent tort was actually committed during the scope of employment, rather than during a purely personal activity on the part of the employee.

Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney 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.

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.

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:

Your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
The applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
Your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
The process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
The value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.ONE.EZ.CALL). 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. Mr. Dodge 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 today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His Main 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

Salt Lake City Utah Office
299 South Main
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

St. George Utah Office
321 N. Mall Drive, Suite 103
St. George, Utah 84790

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. He has helped cyclists in New York, Texas, California, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Criminal Cycling Charges

Can cycling be a crime? It sure can when a cyclist throws his/her bike at a car! While there are several criminal offenses a cyclist could be charged with, lets focus on the 2 most common. Most states have a Criminal Damage law and an Assault law in their criminal code. I have run into these several times as an attorney representing cyclists involved in accidents. Let me help you to avoid these dangerous and seemingly unfair charges. I’ll share two real life examples I have run into in my Bike Accident practice.

First: I had a client (lets name him Biker Bob) who was involved in an accident while legally cycling through a crosswalk. A distracted teenage driver was paying more attention to texting on his phone than the traffic signal. The driver thought the light had turned green and proceeded through the intersection while texting, never having stopped to look and see if it was clear. Assuming that the light was now green he just drove right on through and hit my client. The light of course was red, and if the driver would have simply stopped texting and looked at the light before stepping on the gas pedal he would have known that.

Luckily Biker Bob wasn’t injured that badly, but his custom limited edition LeMond bicycle was! Understandably so, my client was enraged. He quickly picked himself up and hauled right over to the teenage driver (who at this time had stepped out of his car to check on the cyclist) and punched him square in the face. The cops naturally came and a report was filed. My client could have been charged with assault and would have faced a criminal record the rest of his life IF the driver would have told the cops what my client did. Luckily, the teenage kid was so embarrassed by causing the accident and getting clocked in the face by a man in his early 70s that he said nothing to the police about the assault.

When I first heard this story from Biker Bob I honestly laughed a bit. I knew exactly what he felt like and was even admittedly a bit proud of him. I mean really, who actually does that? I too have felt that anger in similar experiences and would have been very tempted to do the same thing. However, Biker Bob committed a crime. Any physical harm caused to another may constitute a criminal assault charge in your state. In fact, even if you don’t actually touch the other person but place them in reasonable fear that you are going to hurt them you could end up with an assault charge.

In Arizona, a criminal assault charge is found in A.R.S. 13-1203. “A person commits assault by: 1. Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; or 2. Intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or 3. Knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person.” These charges vary in degree but all come with fines, a permanent criminal record in Arizona, and maybe even some jail time. So think twice next time you have the opportunity to take your anger out on a negligent driver.

Lets take a look at another story to show additional criminal offenses. One time another cyclist (lets just stick with Biker Bob for simplicity) called in for a consult because the cops were charging him with criminal property damage after he was hit by a driver. Biker Bob was furious! He couldn’t understand how after he got hit he ended being the one charged with criminal property damage. Here are the facts:

Biker Bob was approaching a 4 way stop sign. The driver was also approaching the same intersection and coming to the stop sign that Biker Bob was just about to proceed through. Biker Bob and the driver made eye contact and there was no doubt that the driver knew Biker Bob was going to proceed through the intersection in front of the driver. Just as Biker Bob was in front of the driver, the driver stomped on the gas and lunged forward knocking Biker Bob down. Luckily Biker Bob was not seriously injured at all. But this is when it got ugly. Biker Bob stands up and began shouting at the driver. The driver of course vigorously shouting back at Biker Bob. Then the driver steps on the gas and knocks Biker Bob down a second time! Biker Bob is beyond angry now and promptly picks up his bicycle and throws it at the windshield of the driver. The driver then flees the scene. The cops are called and by this time the driver returned to the scene. Shockingly (or maybe not so shockingly) the driver fails to receive any citation! Biker Bob was charged with criminal property damage! This is extremely unfair and highlights the huge bias against cyclists in our culture. The many criminal charges that could have been brought against the driver include, assault, aggravated assault, criminal property damage, fleeing the scene of an accident, and on and on.

Most states have criminal property damage statutes. In Arizona a person can be charged with criminal property damage if: “A person commits criminal damage by:

1. Recklessly defacing or damaging property of another person; or 2. Recklessly tampering with property of another person so as substantially to impair its function or value; or 3. Recklessly damaging the property of a utility. 4. Recklessly parking any vehicle in such a manner as to deprive livestock of access to the only reasonably available water. 5. Recklessly drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol that is made on any public or private building, structure or surface, except the ground, and that is made without permission of the owner. 6. Intentionally tampering with utility property.” A.R.S. 13-1602.

If you take what we learn from the 1^st story then you can see how Biker Bob could also have been charged with criminal assault as well when he threw his bicycle at the driver. Bicycle laws are unique and sometimes seem unforgiving when compared to the standards of motorists. The sad but practical truth is that as cyclists we are held to a higher standard under the same laws as motorists. To avoid unnecessary criminal charges from the local police we need to always be on our best behavior. Keep the emotions in check and act in a calm and reasonable manner when involved in an accident.

If you have been involved in a cycling accident or have questions regarding your state’s cycling laws, call us at 800.ONE.EZ.CALL (800.663.3922) for a free consultation. We accept cases in all 50 states. Our practiced is dedicated entirely to representing bicycle accident victims. Check out our main page at www.BikeAccidentAttorneys.com.

Mountain Bike Accidents – Bear Attack

There are many of us who enjoy the thrill of mountain biking. I for one love both the climb and the decent. The dangers of mountain biking are far different than cycling on the road. While you will likely not encounter any vehicle traffic (perhaps the rare encounter with a hunter, or off road enthusiast is probable) you may very well encounter very tricky and dangerous terrain. Everything from tree limbs, rocks, large gaps in the trail/roads, gorges, shrubs, and more. Each posing unique problems to the mountain biker. However, there is a distinct chance of encountering wildlife while mountain biking. This can be exhilarating and dangerous.

The video below is a go pro video of a man mountain biking while being chased by a bear. There are many of these video clips on the internet. This one in particular shows up quite a bit.

As you might have guessed, this video clip may or may not be real. Many commentators have mentioned how fake it is. I for one tend to believe that it is not real or the cyclist would be breathing much heavier and likely screaming a bit, or yelling a bit, or even swearing a bit. The mountain biker instead bikes on in silence. Whether its real or not, the point is you can certainly encounter wildlife out on the trails and you ought to be prepared and safe. There are other very real videos of bear encounters and mountain bikers that you can search on YouTube.

Mountain Biking can be dangerous and mountain bike accidents can be deadly. Because there are likely no at fault parties in mountain biking accidents it is highly recommended that cyclists who mountain bike procure cycling insurance to cover their damages to both bike and body sustained in a mountain bike accident. This insurance is cheap and can be found from several companies on the internet. To name a few, Velo Insurance and Big Ring Insurance both sell insurance policies for approximately $200/year. The coverage isn’t very high, but at least your medical bills and your bike will likely be covered.

Hit & Run Bicycle Accidents on the Rise

Hit & Run bicycle accidents are up 42% in Los Angeles County! Crazy. Great article written recently in the LA Times:

https://graphics.latimes.com/la-bike-hit-and-runs/

Top 10 List for Bicycle Accidents

Top 10 Things a Cyclist Should Do – Shouldn’t Do in a Bicycle Accident

Unfortunately there are more and more bicycle accidents occurring every year. Just last year in Arizona there were 2,039 bicycle accidents reported. Of those 2,039 reported bike wrecks, 30 were fatal. This is a huge jump from 18 fatal bicycle accidents in Arizona in 2012. For those of you who look a lot at numbers, your chances of a fatal bike crash is approximately about 1.47%. In my opinion that is 1.47% too much! Even one fatality is too much. Even one bicycle accident is too much. However, for the other 98.53% of us who survive our bicycle accidents, here is your top 10 list of everything you should or shouldn’t do when in a bicycle accident. The more you know of your cyclist rights and obligations the less you will damage your own case. In no particular order of importance, because each of these is extremely important:

1. DO call 911. Hopefully by now you know how valuable your cell phone can be when cycling. Its not just useful for cool aps such as Strava! Your cell phone is your best tool in your accident for many reasons, first and foremost it is important to immediately call 911 for any medical assistance needed. Call a relative and/or a close friend as well to come out and provide any assistance you may need, such as photographing the accident, collecting your bike, providing you a ride back home, meeting you at the hospital, etc. These calls document your case later with the insurance companies your attorney will end up fighting with. Every documented call for help, especially to emergency responders is very important. The medical records and notes taken by the emergency responders will greatly assist you in your case. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. When arriving home again after the accident you should make immediate appointments with any and all necessary medical professionals to begin treatment for your injuries sustained in the bike accident. Any delays in treatment will be negatively viewed by the insurance companies as simply not relating to your accident.
2. DO call the police. Sometimes many of us want to simply get back on our bikes and limp home, or call for a ride and get out of there after simply collecting a bit of insurance and contact info. This is a huge mistake. Your bicycle accident case will go much smoother with a report from a police officer. Make sure you are cordial with them. Most of us are pretty angry for getting hit by a driver, and sometimes we forget that the officer is there to help. Be sure to be kind, straightforward, and clear about what happened. Help the police officer understand the facts of your accident as clearly as you can remember. In a hit & run accident we often think we shouldn’t call the police, but that is a HUGE mistake. It is even more important to have the police meet you out there at the scene of your accident (or in the hospital if you were transported to one) than it is in a regular bike wreck. Insurance companies will often fight hit and run accidents with everything they have if you can’t prove that it was a hit and run. A police report helps substantiate your accident, especially in a hit and run bike accident.
3. DO take lots of photos. Again, your cell phone is an important tool. Use it to capture as many photos of the accident scene as possible. Try to capture the damage to the car, the bike, and of course to your person. Take photos of the streets, the lighting, the road conditions, and anything else that may look important. If you are too injured to take photos try and ask for help from a nearby witness, or anyone who is there and willing to do so. The more pictures taken the better.
4. DO collect the names and contact information for all witnesses. Don’t assume they will be easy to contact from a police report, or by finding them on Facebook. Take the time to get their current contact information so your attorney can contact them later. Ask them to stick around until the police arrive so they can make a statement for the official report. Take pictures of their contact info if that is faster, and of them if they permit it.
5. DO get all of the contact information possible on the driver, including the make, model, color, and license plate number of the driver’s vehicle as well as all contact and insurance information for the driver. Use your cell phone to help collect this information and take photos of these important documents if you are able. As always, ask someone nearby to help and assist you in collecting this information if you are too injured to do so.
6. DO keep all of the GPS and Srava data from that ride. This information stored in your GPS devices (such as a Garmin, etc.) can provide helpful information about the events immediately prior to and during your bicycle accident. Many of these devices record helpful information about the % grade of the road, your speed, the time of day, the weather, and much more. This information can be helpful in establishing your own innocence in a bicycle accident, and can provide much needed details when fighting with an insurance company. Sometimes police officers wrongly issue citations to cyclists and these citations can be better overturned when we have data to support our position.
7. DON’T discuss any aspect of the bicycle accident case with the driver. Sometimes we inadvertently say sorry to the driver even though we cyclists aren’t at fault. These and other similar statements can and will be seized by the insurance companies and at fault drivers as some sort of confessional to liability. When the cops arrive and start taking statements the driver may inform the cop of your “sorry” statement and may begin to assume that you are at fault. It is certainly OK to listen to the driver go on and on about the accident, especially if he/she is admitting fault. But you should never say anything about the accident. Seriously, say nothing at all – don’t talk about curvy the road was right there, or how crazy fast the light changed, etc. Say nothing.
8. DON’T leave the scene of the accident until the police have told you that you are free to go. Unfortunately, leaving the scene of an accident is actually a criminal violation in Arizona. Never leave until you have been told you are free to go. Additionally, you may be so nervous and anxious that you just want to get right on your bike in spite of the pain and the injuries you suffered and just quickly ride home (if the bike is still even somewhat functional). Such a decision is not only criminal but can actually reduce or hurt your bicycle accident claim in a serious manner as the insurance company may simply use it as evidence that you are not really injured. Many of us are pretty amped up after a bike wreck and the adrenaline alone can carry us home. Then a few days or hours later and we are in agonizing pain. Be smart and stick around until you are free to go and it is safe to do so.
9. DON’T negotiate with the driver. Not all that often, but certainly sometimes, drivers may feel guilty enough to immediately offer you some cash to just keep the accident “off the books” with their insurance companies. This is a huge mistake. Often the pain and damages sustained can only really be effectively understood after weeks and months of review, treatment, and analysis, etc. Any monetary sum you accept at the scene of the accident may very well terminate your case in its entirety. Only later you may realize how damaged your bicycle really is, or how much pain you really are suffering and what the real costs may finally total.
10. DO call an experienced bicycle accident attorney. Bicycle accidents are unique. There is a very real bias out there that drivers feel towards cyclists. There is a belief that as cyclists we are somehow at fault for these accidents for being “stupid enough” to ride on streets where cars also drive. This bias is not limited to just the drivers out there – I have seen it in police officers and insurance adjustors as well. Educating the police officers, the drivers, and the insurance companies on cyclists’ rights is the only way these cases end up receiving fair treatment. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be able to help identify the key issues in a bike accident that lend to a stronger medical and financial recovery. No cyclist should have to settle for less just because when they were in an accident they were riding a bike and not driving a car.

Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney Ben Dodge

If you, or someone you know were injured by a dog in a bicycle accident, 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.

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.

A Consultation With Experienced Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney Ben Dodge is Free

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:

Your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
The applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
Your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
The process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
The value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.ONE.EZ.CALL). 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. Mr. Dodge 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 today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His Main 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

Salt Lake City Utah Office
299 South Main
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

St. George Utah Office
321 N. Mall Drive, Suite 103
St. George, Utah 84790

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. He has helped cyclists in New York, Texas, California, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Bicycle Race Crash

Many cyclists are growing concerned about race day accidents and the ever so important question of: “Who picks up the tab if you crash in a bike race?” Unfortunately, race day accidents are quite common. With the sheer volume of cyclists and the competitive nature of a race there are many opportunities for bicycle crashes and accidents on race day. There are also many types of bicycle race accidents. There can be bike vs bike, bike vs street defect, bike vs car, bike vs spectator, and more.

Each scenario is a different set of legalities and liabilities. Each accident is unique and should be discussed with a qualified and experienced bicycle accident lawyer. Lets explore some of the common scenarios together so you know how to better prepare prior to your next bicycle race.

Bicycle vs. Bicycle – Cyclist vs. Cyclist

Clearly the most common accident we face as competitive cyclists on race day is the bike wreck we encounter when another cyclist crashes into us. This can happen for so many reasons when drafting, or group riding, or sprinting in a peloton. Sometimes a neighboring cyclist is simply overly competitive and engages in handlebar knocking, or worse flat out hand to hand combat! Sometimes a neighboring cyclist simply isn’t paying attention and swerves too quickly to avoid other cyclists, a car, dangerous debris, etc.

Whatever the case, you always have the right to file a lawsuit against your fellow cyclist. This is usually the worst thing you can do. Typically your fellow cyclists don’t have any liability insurance which covers them if they cause a bicycle accident while riding their own bicycle. Lets not forget the huge issue of how rude it can potentially be to actually file a lawsuit against your fellow cyclist. What you were riding in a group with your friends? Are you really going to file a suit against them? I guess if your friend reached out and punched you in the face causing you to wreck your bicycle in your race I would consider filing suit as well! The better question to ask is whether or not there is “Event Insurance” purchased by the host of the race you are participating in. If a cyclist crashes into you because he/she was avoiding some danger under the control of the bicycle race (i.e. interfering race official, professional photographer, improperly managed aid stations, improperly marked turns on the course, improperly managed intersections or traffic control, and much more) then the event may be negligent and will most likely have an insurance policy which you may need to file a claim against.

Filing a claim against the Event Host’s insurance is tricky and you will want to ensure that a report is filed the day of your accident by the police, and the event staff. Make sure you assemble your witnesses prior to leaving the scene if at all possible. These claims may come with some strings attached, and will be difficult to bring, but they are often the only hope for race day bicycle accident victims.

Another often missed opportunity is for cyclists to purchase and carry their own Cycling Insurance policy. These policies will cover any accidental liability you cause, will also cover medical bills you encounter from an accident not of your own fault, and will often come with bicycle replacement plans and even rental bikes until your new bike can be purchased. These insurance policies are getting more and more popular amongst competitive cyclists and provide for a sense of security while competing in a cycling race. A quick Google search will lead you to several companies underwriting such policies. Some will even write you a policy for just the race event itself, others will write a policy for the entire year of cycling. I highly recommend taking advantage of one of these policies.

Bicycle vs. Street Defect

On race day we may encounter a street defect that can cause a major pile up when cruising at high speeds in a peloton. As is the case with event insurance claims you can explore whether or not the race host can be held liable for not knowing about the street defect; or worse – for knowing about it and not doing anything about it. There could be other potential theories of liability against the race host as well which are worth exploring with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer.

Another real scenario we can’t overlook is the possibility that the city, state, or county entity responsible for maintaining the roads used for the bicycle race are at fault for improper maintenance of the roadways. Sometimes seams in the roadway go unfixed for years until a cyclist gets injured and then the city, state, or county rushes in to fix it. Other street defects can include potholes, embedded objects in the surface of the roadway, and improperly designed roadways.

Your recourse here will be a lawsuit against the city, state, or county entity responsible for the defect. This suit may also include naming the event host as a defendant as well. Of course these lawsuits may be challenging to bring and will likely require the experience of a bicycle accident attorney. Finally, your own Cyclist Insurance can be very helpful here as well.

Bicycle vs. Spectator

One of the unanticipated bicycle accidents we see on race day is the third party spectator out cheering the cyclists on, or standing there sanctioned by the event host to snap race day photos of you speeding by on your bike. Whatever the case may be on the pedestrian vs. race day bicycle accident, looking for the race host and their liability is yet again a good place to start. Potentially the host is liable for not securing the proper barriers preventing the spectators from interfering with the cyclists during the race. Alternatively, the event host may be liable for sanctioning a photographer who is dangerously too close to the cyclist.

The spectator themselves could be held liable for negligently causing the race event bicycle accident and you would have the right to file a law suit against them as well. Doing so may only be a good idea if there are assets held by the spectator sufficient to pay out on your medical bills. This is rarely the case as the average American is in heavy debt and does not have much in liquid assets. Taking a look at this avenue of recovery is still a good idea to rule it out or confirm it as a viable recovery option.

Bicycle vs. Car

The obvious accident that occurs often is the cyclist on race day getting hit by a motorist. This happens all of the time. A distracted driver crossing the marked race day lane lines or cones and hitting a cyclist, or the motorist cruising through an intersection and hitting a race participant. Of course, there is the possibility of a cyclist colliding with a car for numerous other reasons as well.

The driver will be at fault for failing to see and yield to you as the cyclist. Their own insurance (if they have it – or have enough of it) should cover your damages when properly represented by an experienced bicycle accident attorney. Because you were hit by a car in this scenario, your own automobile insurance policy can potentially cover your accident so long as you have Uninsured Motorist and Under Insured Motorist coverage on your auto policy. Again, these claims may be difficult to bring and consulting with us is a good idea.

Then, lets not forget the ole event host may be liable yet again in this scenario. If the lanes were improperly marked by the event host or the traffic control was negligently handled by the event host, then they may also be liable as well.

Race Day & Event Bicycle Accident Attorney Ben Dodge

If you, or someone you know were injured during a hosted race or event and suffered a bicycle accident, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record with bicycle litigation. 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.

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.

A Consultation With Experienced Arizona Bicycle Accident Attorney Ben Dodge is Free

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:

Your specific bike accident details, diagrams, and pictures from your perspective and then from the perspective of your bike accident attorney.
The applicable local, state, and federal laws underlying your case.
Your cyclist’s rights, obligations, and any potential liability.
The process, procedure (in and out of court), and the time frame required to conclude your case.
The value of your case and what you might expect as compensation.

You can call Arizona bicycle lawyer Ben Dodge of Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC at 1.855.663.3922 (855.ONE.EZ.CALL). 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. Mr. Dodge 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 today at 1.855.663.3922. Reach him by fax at 480.656.8334.

Mr. Dodge can also be reached by email at ben@bikeaccidentattorneys.com

His Main 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

Salt Lake City Utah Office
299 South Main
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

St. George Utah Office
321 N. Mall Drive, Suite 103
St. George, Utah 84790

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. He has helped cyclists in New York, Texas, California, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.