Why Every Cyclist Should Ride with a Camera!

We all know someone who has been run off the road, or worse hit and the driver just carries on as if our lives as cyclist are infinitely inferior to those of the drivers. Of course cyclists lives matter! Yet, it doesn’t always seem so when a bike wreck actually happens. I often encounter drivers who fled the scene, or drivers who are absolutely certain it is the cyclists fault that their car(s) hit them. I have seen countless police officers inappropriately or unknowingly issue citations to cyclists when a car has struck the cyclist. I have seen an innumerable amount of cases where the insurance company fights to the death (no pun intended) defending the illegal and careless driving behavior of their clients. I have been involved with many bike crash cases where the cyclist has been struck unconscious and can’t remember what happened. Below is a sample video of a rear facing mounted bicycle camera (Cycliq Fly6):

These are just a small number of very good reasons to ride with a bike camera mounted to your bike. All of the above scenarios could have been resolved more effectively and more quickly had the cyclist been riding with a video camera. They say that the streets of any decent sized city are as close to a “jungle” as we can get when we ride our bikes through them. In fact, you will often hear it described as surviving the “urban jungle.” I believe that surviving the urban jungle comes down to several different issues that can each help protect us as cyclists. Some of them include knowing and following the traffic rules in the jurisdiction that you ride. It may be riding more defensively and more aware of others around you. It could also be important to dress in colors that are contrasting and easy to see. Another is to ride with bike lights day or night, and then of course be sure ot get the ones that blink with a non uniform pattern. All of these are important, but this article will focus on how helpful/important it is to ride with video cameras on your bike.

Cycliq Fly12 1080p HD Action Camera and 400 Lumen Bicycle Light

A video camera canon your bicycle can clear up a ton of unanswered questions or misguided perceptions of what really happened if you get in a wreck. It can capture the bad behavior of both the cyclist and the motorist. In fact, I believe that riding with a video camera heightens your own sense of awareness as a cyclist and you are more inclined to follow the traffic rules. Even just recently I was reviewing some video footage form my rear facing video camera and back light combo unit (the Fly6 by Cycliq) and noticed that I was riding very close to the white line of the bike lane and that some of my friends were crossed over it. During our next ride I made more conscious efforts to be entirely inside the bike lane.

Traditionally the only camera really out there has been the GoPro. The GoPro has an incredible amount of features and capabilities that are certainly not limited to cycling. But then you have to know how to use them or you can end up wasting some money. The upside to the GoPro in my opinion is that it is so versatile in its uses and mounting locations that you can literally capture as much footage from as many different angles as possible. The downside, that every time you use a GoPro, or really any other video camera, you are mounting more and more cameras on your bike. This can add weight to your bike and significantly increase your drag and can be pretty costly.

If you are into effective and simple solutions like me then you would probably fall in love with my new favorite bike light + video camera combo unit. Cycliq has just released a pair of bike lights that are also video cameras. Yep, that’s right, your bike light can also be a video camera. No need for mounting a billion things to your bike. They have a forward facing 400 lumen light and 1080p HD camera unit called the Fly12. And then they have the rear facing 720p HD action camera and bike light called the Fly6. Together these bike lights have your back and your front! They are offer incredible video quality and astoundingly long lasting battery life.

My absolute favorite part about the Cycliq Fly 12 or Fly6 is that I just simply charge them and use them like bike lights. They just happen to also be recording everything as I ride. They have continuous loop recording technology so you never have to worry about your sd card maxing out on memory and your video footage just stopping. It simply starts recording the older footage and keeps going. This way you just charge it like your typical bike light and use it every ride like normal. Only remove your sd car or plug your light into your computer when you want to pull off the footage and review it.

The Fly12 forward facing light also integrates into strava and can display your speed, heart rate, and other info in the bottom of the video screen. Pretty cool. Plus the Fly 12 has an app for you to connect to it from your smart phone and edit settings or even preview footage. Just dang cool.

Now I ride with the Fly12 and Fly6 every ride as my bike lights. I simply charge them like my old lights and I’m off for my ride knowing that I have video footage in front and back. So cool.

You can review all of the facts, technical data, and even sample video footage on their website at: https://cycliq.com/

Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben Dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States. Ben also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.

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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

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 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.

Cervelo S3 Demo – First Impressions

Recently I had the great opportunity to demo a brand new Cervelo S3. Thanks to a local bike shop, Two Wheel Jones Gilbert Store, I enjoyed about 2 hard rides on a Cervelo S3. And yes, I “enjoyed” the experience. I Seriously doubted if I would ever be a Cervelo fan… and then I rode the 2016 S3 with Ultegra Di2.

My friend and owner of the Gilbert location of Two Wheel Jones bike shop, Larry DeMik, swore by this bike. He and his whole staff believe they are some of the best bikes ever built. He offered a demo opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I always secretly and often overtly hated Cervelo. I haven’t been the biggest fan of their color scheme, and then of course there is the glaring issue of everyone seems to have one. I started my love affair with bicycles in the triathlon scene. It seemed like the overwhelming percentage of bikes at Ironman were Cervelo. Those who know me know that I march to the beat of my own drum. Riding a bike everyone else has is not high on “my favorite things to do” list. So over the years I just grew this subtle and sometimes not so subtle resentment and disgust against Cervelo. I know they make good bikes. But to me that wasn’t the issue, it was they look ugly to me and everyone, and I mean everyone seems to have one.

So in some disbelief with myself I agreed to ride a demo. I was intrigued to see what all the buzz was about. My first ride was on a Saturday morning group ride in preparation for our upcoming LOTOJA race. There was probably about 25 people out on this group ride. It was a lot of fun and I found myself happy as a clam to be among such good friends. The ride itself was hard for me. I am still recovering from some injuries I sustained during the Race Across the West and only recently been able to bike at all. With my resulting fitness in the toilet, the hot Arizona summer sun beating the life out of any cyclist, and my new weightless/dieting habits of late, I felt like I was riding on an empty tank. Just had nothing left to give that Saturday. My HR was out of control even in the draft. I knew I was doomed when I didn’t have any fuel on board and our supposed “aerobic” training ride went anaerobic in the first few minutes.

Cervelo S3 TWJ — Cervelo S3 and the Bike Accident Attorneys Truck

Notwithstanding the personal setbacks that can make or break a ride, I was struck by this S3. The most prominent feature of the bike in my mind that Saturday was the electric shifting. Whoa! It was shifting like a hot knife through butter with extreme surgical precision. It was a difference I could immediately feel and fall in love with. I had never tried electronic shifting before. Every bike I had owned was mechanical with traditional cables, etc. Sadly, I have never experienced so much joy and satisfaction in shifting before this experience and I can confidently say I will never be satisfied with anything but electronic shifting in the future. I have heard the new SRAM eTap is pretty impressive… so far I have only tried Di2 and it was amazing.

I eventually abandoned the group ride and rode home solo trying to keep my HR under better control. In these moments I began to feel other aspects of the bike that I couldn’t notice before since I was so enamored by the Di2. The S3 is supposed to be a stiff and aero race bike with some level of comfort above and beyond it’s older and faster brother the Cervelo S5. According to studies, the S3 is only 4 watts slower in wind tunnel testing than the S5 and yet it offers more comfort. 4 watts? That is definitely a small enough number that the average cyclist can’t even tell a difference. To be honest, I didn’t notice the comfort part of the S3. It is a stiff and fast aero bike. Comfort is not really what a bike like the S3 is known for. I can imagine the S5 comparing out on the speed side of things as equally fast and more uncomfortable… Just a guess – I have not tried an S5 yet.

On Monday morning I took it out again for the last time. I did about a 40 mile ride with some hard interval work mixed in. Towards the end of the ride my coach had instructed me to do some seated sprinting drills. This is where I felt this bike excel. Even hurt, fat and out of shape I was able to keep up or beat other cyclists on the ride that day. This bike was undoubtedly fast. It was then that I realized Cervelo isn’t all that bad. 😉 But seriously, the first ride I felt horrible and was more enthralled with the Di2 than anything else. On the second ride I paid closer attention to the bike itself and what it could or couldn’t do. The S3 is definitely not your best climbing bike – although it can climb as good as you can pedal it; but rather the S3 is designed for speed work. It is a fast bike. It gets up to speed and stays up to speed seemingly easily. When combined with the Di2 you end up with a flawlessly shifting race machine. I admit, I must eat some crow here. The S3 was a great bike and a very fun bike to ride.

Not sure I would recommend a bike like this for long distance ultra cycling. But for the casual or semi enthusiastic cyclist who wants to be fast over shorter distances, this bike is likely one of the better bikes you can get for the money. I believe they are between $5k-$6k out the door at MSRP with Ultegra Di2. That is pretty impressive.

I will say this though, if I ever own a Cervelo, it will likely be the S3. But before it comes to my house that thing needs to be painted in a high vis or fluorescent yellow. The plain blakc with red accents is the only color that bike comes in and I am definitely into the bright neon colors. Overall, great bike! Two Thumbs up for sure. Thanks Larry and Two Wheel Jones Gilbert for the opportunity to demo an amazing bike.

Cervelo site/link to the S3 with product description and specs/details: https://www.cervelo.com/en/road/s-series/s3

Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben Dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States. Ben also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.

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. Having competed in 8 Ironman triathlons, numerous local and national cycling races, and a successful finish in the Race Across the West, 2016, he really knows what it is like to ride and race a bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben Dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

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 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 get out of a Cycling Slump

Ever have one of those days when you’re riding along in the group ride and you silently pray for more red lights? Or you’re silent expression for a flat tire (a safe flat) so the group has to stop. Yep, me too. In fact, I had one of those days today. So what do you do when you feel like you might be in a cycling slump? Read on…

Having just successfully finished the epic and ridiculously challenging Race Across the West (RAW), my body and maybe part of my heart, is screaming at me to stay in bed and take another day off. RAW was 930.4 grueling but beautiful miles of nearly non stop bike racing. Completing it in approximately 86 hours and with much difficulty, I welcomed a break. The start of this race was at the famous Oceanside pier in CA. The time trial style start was on Tuesday afternoon at about 12pm and cyclists were sent off every 60 seconds. I believe I started around 12:30-ish. It wasn’t until Saturday morning around 2-3am I finally arrived in Durango CO. Finishing RAW meant taking nominal rest breaks for a few minutes here or there and staying on the bike for the duration of the event. The cut off time was 92 hours if you wanted to be counted as an official finisher. It was a wild adventure. Unforgettable to say the least and impacted my life forever.

Completing something challenging can “take it out” of you, so “they” say. “They” – whoever they are – are absolutely right! The longer and harder you train for something the more it demanding it can be. Demanding on your time, your job, your family, your body! The price we pay as athletes, professionals, ultra cyclists, basically whatever you want to excel at – can certainly deplete your operating capital. What do I mean by capital? I mean your literal ability to operate effectively and happily. Both your tangible and intangible capital can be over drawn or so heavily taxed that you find yourself in what many modern philosopher types call a slump.

The infamous SLUMP can be found in your cycling, your relationships, your employment, and really just about anywhere you overdraw your bank account of operating capital. You can hit your slump in the days, weeks, or months of dedicated hard work prior to your main event; or it can creep in the immediate days and weeks following your event.

In my case, I had trained for months and months for RAW. I knew that only a handful or two of cyclists finish this race every year. I wanted to be numbered among the few that have completed it. The months of training took a toll. I often woke up between 3am-4am to squeeze the training miles in before the work day started. My focus on RAW was intense and solidly based in my personal aspirations of finishing. I was persistent, dedicated, and determined beyond an average goal. This was once in a life time for me. This was a bucket list experience. I vowed to do whatever it takes to finish, whatever it takes. So in these training months I paid a price. I made daily deposits into my bank account of me ever increasing my mental toughness for this challenge but also making daily withdrawals of my personal operating capital.

Eventually the race was over (race recap coming soon in separate blog post) and the reality of the price I had paid set in. My personal operating capital was depleted, and maybe even overdrawn. My emotional (one of the intangible forms of capital) capital was bouncing from high to low back to high and then low again. On one hand I was ecstatic that I actually finished RAW. I was one of the few that had toughed it out and made it. On the other hand, my physical injuries and damage (a tangible form of capital) sustained from the race taxed my positive outlook. The physical price I had paid, and 6 weeks later I am still paying, was severe and something I had not quite anticipated.

Ben Dodge during Race Across the West in Monument Valley.

During the race I had developed some significant pulmonary edema and it intensified to where my breathing was so restricted I felt claustrophobic for the first time in my life. I began seeing spots and could hardly gasp a single breath. The intensity of the lack of air came at about 600 miles. But long before that I started paying a much steeper price. The very first night I had started violently throwing up. I mean puking so hard my esophagus declared war on me. Later with the pulmonary edema and the mucus hacking I had wretched so violently in the days leading up to this that I began hacking up blood and my breathing was very very off. In fact, in the couple of days after the race I had passed out 3 times in the shower with complete loss of control over my body. I still remember how scary that felt as each of those episodes crept up and I was defenseless. For the 10 days immediately following the race it hurt to even swallow water. The ER doctors thought I had wretched so badly that I tore my esophagus. Luckily it wasn’t torn, but severely inflamed. Additionally, I lost feeling in my hands after the first 30 hours or so. The rest of the race I couldn’t hardly zip up a zipper let alone grip anything very well. I ended up just resting my hands on the handlebars and hoped for the best. 6 weeks later my hands are still very numb and I have no feeling in my pinky and ring fingers in each of my hands. I can’t even open up a bottle of water at the house without some help from my spouse.

That wasn’t the worst part. I actually lost complete control of my neck muscles right outside of Tuba City Arizona. I had zero ability to hold my head up any longer. This was extremely painful. My faithful crew devised a way to prop my head up with a rolled up blanket jammed under my chin held in place with some medical gauze tied behind my head. This allowed me to continue pedaling and eventually allowed me to finish the race. I rode with this pain for approximately 400+ miles and another 45+ hours. 6 weeks later I still have trouble holding my head for long and I have consistent and daily neck pain. I often go around town or to work with a neck brace. What is my point? My point here is that I paid a heavy and very tangible price. The physical operating capital was very overdrawn. My bank account of me had been depleted, had been overdrawn. I found myself in a cycling slump.

My cycling slump crept up on me. At first I felt (and still feel) justified in my need and desire to stay off the bike to recover. I have many more races on my calendar this year and I need(ed) to recover before I started riding again or I could risk further damage or even prolong my recovery. So with some reasonable feelings of contentment I stayed away from my bike. After all, I had just finished RAW and felt like I deserved a break. It didn’t take long to notice my eating habits grew grossly out of control. My desire to ride had diminished. My ability to ride had vanished thanks to my overdrawn physical capital account. Eventually I noticed something scary… I was in a slump. “How did this happen” I asked myself. I thought for sure that something like this only happened to other people, not to me. I was wrong.

For me, I just decided to ride and keep riding until I rode right out of my slump. My slump was in the form of not riding, so it made sense to me that I should start riding again to correct it. Other slumps may be in the form of riding too much, so perhaps taking a break would help. Other slumps may manifest as a plateau in your training or cycling goals so maybe the solution is to ramp up your intensity and dedication. I have been through many forms of cycling slumps and the proposed solutions seemed to work for me. I would welcome any comments or ideas on your slumps and how you got out. I bet we all hit different cycling slumps, and the more years we ride the more versions of these slumps we will encounter.

Today I couldn’t hardly keep up with the group.It had been 6 weeks since I went on a “real” ride. My fitness is gone. My neck still hurts. And it even rained on us a bit out there. So what, I loved it. I loved being back out there. I loved the group of friends I was riding with. So even though I was breathing like I had never ridden a bike, I was so happy to be out there again. I was secretly hoping for every red light and maybe even for a flat tire because I am so out of shape… but at the end of the day I rode right out my “cycling slump.”

Arizona bicycle crash and bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

A bicycle crash is not always an accident. If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle crash or accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben Dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States. Ben also founded Bike Accident Attorneys Network, a national network of attorneys who focus on representing cyclists. Ben can find you help anywhere in the country.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

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 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.

Crack in the Road: Cyclist? Sorry We Only Pay For Motorists to Have Safe Roads.

Crack in the Road Bicycle Crash

I just ended a telephone call with an adjuster for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) regarding a bicycle crash my client suffered from a road that was poorly maintained. In fact, this road wasn’t maintained at all. Guess what he told me – as if I was surprised to even hear it: “The cyclist is at fault and should have seen the crack or at the very least been able to handle riding on a road with cracks since we don’t maintain these roads for cyclists. We maintain them for cars. If your cyclist has a problem with the road conditions then he should ride somewhere else.” WHOA! Not really surprised by this anti-cyclist approach to the problem, but still disturbed at his response I dug in and pressed for more of his ridiculous explanations. He went on: “Most of the funding we get is only for motorists. I can’t go around and pay out money to make cyclists whole every time they fall down because of a crack in the road. There are cracks all over and the cars seem to go over them just fine.” It’s as if he was declaring war on cyclists stating if a car can go over the crack so should we, or we should just avoid them by riding around on roads that don’t have cracks.

We have all been riding along a shoulder and have encountered some pretty nasty cracks or broken up sections of road. Most times we somehow navigate those dangerous road conditions with some luck and avoid terrible wrecks. But sometimes, there is nothing we can do and the giant crack in the road appears out of nowhere and instantly we are going head over heels in a full on tumbling session with a now mangled bike and several broken bones. Sometimes road conditions, traffic, road debris, can all appear very suddenly and force us to cross over a dangerous crack with little choice on our part as cyclists. In those moments we find ourselves holding our breaths and praying we survive. Cracks in the road can cause severe physical injury to a cyclist. They are not always avoidable or even seen until its far too late. Worse, many of the cracks seem to only exist in the shoulder area where cyclists are expected” to ride.

Dangerous road conditions for cyclists may not be so dangerous for motorists. However, until ADOT sees that poor road maintenance can lead to more dollars spent on cyclists injuries than on the road maintenance itself then they will continue to ignore the problem or blame the cyclists for it. It’s always about the money. Yes, its always about the money. The ADOT adjuster informed me that he wouldn’t mind fixing the roads if someone paid for it but he definitely minds paying for cyclists who wreck because of the roads – blaming the cyclists for riding on the roads in the first place.

In my client’s case we didn’t take no for an answer. It was a relatively small case with not very many medical bills in injuries. Yet he and I are very aware of the problem here in Arizona with ADOT and took the case for the principle of it to bring more awareness to the poor road conditions that exist throughout the state for cyclists. After originally denying liability they have finally succumbed to pay for all of his medical bills, replace his bicycle, and pay some money into his own pocket for pain and suffering. I doubt the road will be fixed and I’m guessing another cyclist may fall victim to this same road hazard someday. I’m also convinced that ADOT would have spent significantly less on fixing the road than paying out on my client’s claim. How many more of these crack in the road cases will it take before they start paving better roads and better road maintenance? I intend on helping pave the way case by case until we see results.

Arizona bicycle accident lawyer Ben Dodge

If you, or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road condition, hire a personal injury attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record. Ben dodge, a licensed bicycle accident lawyer in Arizona, has dedicated his entire firm to one purpose: representing cyclists. Bicycle accident cases are the only cases Bike Accident Attorneys, PLC handles. Home based out of the great state of Arizona, Ben can still help cyclists in the entire United States.

Ben Dodge has represented and assisted bicycle accident victims across the entire united states. As an avid and competitive cyclist himself, Mr. Dodge currently participates in national and local cycling events all over the country. It isn’t uncommon to spot him in early morning hours out riding his bike. The day he fell in love with his job was the day he devoted himself completely to bicycle accident cases.

Ben represents cyclists injured in bicycle accidents, at the police station, with insurance companies, and in the courts. He advocates for the rights of all cyclists, not just his clients. He teaches the police about bike laws and bike safety, he educates drivers about the rules of the road, and he trains cyclists and clubs to ride more safely.

A consultation with experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge is free

In recent years there has been approximately 700 bicycle fatalities in the united states every single year. Approximately 2,000 bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. approximately 30 fatal bicycle accidents are reported in Arizona every year. Bicycle fatalities are terrible and horrific tragedies that affect the lives of too many families and friends to count. Understanding your rights and obligations as a cyclist can bring clarity to your specific accident situation. It will always be in your best interest to be represented by an attorney who knows the bicycle laws and has a successful track record of winning bicycle accident cases. The negotiation tactics and strategies of winning a case are extremely important but should always take a back row seat to the litigation experience and knowledge of court room rules, local, state, and federal rules of civil procedure that can have significant impact on your bicycle accident case. It is wise to be represented by someone well versed in bicycle accident law, local and state bicycle ordinances, rules, regulations, policies, and laws. You should hire someone very familiar with negligence and tort law, civil procedure, and the rules of evidence as they all relate specifically to bicycle accident cases.

Ben dodge always offers a complimentary in person consultation to all local cyclists and a complimentary phone consultation to any cyclist injured in a bike accident. Typically the consultations are schedule from 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of the accident. You can expect to get answers to questions, clarity, information, and reassurance of your personal bike accident liability and potential for recovery. In your free consultation you can generally expect to discuss such topics as:

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 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.

Texting While Driving is MORE Dangerous than Drinking & Driving

Did you know that according to the National Safety Council, texting while driving causes 1.6 million accidents per year?! And just think, that is only the accidents where someone actually reported texting. What about all of those accidents where a driver was distracted but never admits to texting? I’d guess that it would easily be double or more if accurately reported. Additionally, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study found that 330,000 people were reported to be injured due to an accident involving a driver who was texting. And nearly 25% of all car accidents are caused by texting and driving. This is becoming a huge problem. I know I have to consciously think about not texting and driving. It literally takes restraint and self discipline. I often find myself in my truck driving down the road and I realize that in the quiet moments of driving I suddenly remember a ton of things I should be doing, people I should be following up with, etc. and the desire to shoot out a quick text is almost always present. It is simply not worth it. Lets all try and be less distracted, more focused, and more aware of bicycles while we are driving.

A cool info graphic with some pretty potent statistics about driving while texting; also nick named driving while intexticated, was published in 2012 by Kristin Marino. I loved it enough to republish it here with permission. I love how she states that once we understand how risky this behavior is we will realize that an OMG or LOL is never worth the risk while driving.

Originally published by and Courtesy of: http://www.onlineschools.com

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.

Funny James Corden Bike Lane Video & “Rich Old White Ladies”

Bicycle lanes are one of the incredibly important areas of the law that provides safety to cyclists. Many cyclists and concerned citizens are actively involved in their cities to try and get more bike lanes approved. Yet, in the city of Coronado there is a public group that went to town hall to fight the addition of more bike lanes. As if that is not a shame in and of it self, check out their reasons why more bike lanes in the city are bad. Then check out the comedian James Corden from the Late Late Show who does a great job of pointing out how absurd it is!

Their reasons:

“We are covering Coronado with paint stripe pollution.”
“The graffiti on the streets does not help our property values.” She seriously called bike lanes graffiti.
“It brings to mind a visual cacophany that looks like, if you look there long enough, that it can induce a dizzying type of vertigo.” WOW! That is a mouthful. By the way a cacophany is: a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
“For me its very similar to personally taking all three of my daughters to a tattoo parlor and having them completely body tattooed.” WHAT?! Hilarious.
And from the mayor: “What the public wants they should get.”

The comedian points out that these people are trying to make a HUGE problem out of something that is really pretty absurd. He calls them “rich old white ladies.” Makes me wonder how much time they have if they can come together and try and argue that bike lanes are as offensive as tattoos, or are making people dizzy when you look at them, or are no better than graffiti, etc. That is just crazy.

Although a hilarious stand up act, it does highlight the problem we often face when trying to get new bicycle legislation. Alas, for your viewing pleasure:

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.

Bicycle Insurance – Why You Shouldn’t Leave Home Without It!

Ride Smart. Ride Safe. Ride Insured.

So you own a car worth $5,000 or more and that puppy is insured for sure. You own a bicycle for $2,500 or more (in most cases a lot more!), and you realize that you may even spend more time on your bike than you do driving your car. You realize that you might actually be at more risk and in more danger riding your bicycle than you are driving your car. Yet you don’t have bicycle insurance! This just doesn’t make any sense. There are over 2,000 reported bicycle accidents per year in just Arizona! Yes, that is reported accidents that involve a motor vehicle. What happens when you crash your bike – and there is no car involved, or the car drove off, or the driver doesn’t carry any/enough insurance? Who will pay to replace or repair it? Who will pay your medical bills? What happens if your bicycle is stolen? Who will pay for your new bike then? What about roadside assistance on your long rides? Who will pay for that? EXACTLY my point – bicycle insurance should be a must have for every cyclist and would cover you in all of these circumstances. Typically the cost of the insurance is cheap and can be just a couple hundred dollars per year!

There are lots of bicycle wrecks each year that do not involve an at fault driver. There are lots of bicycle thefts each year as well. The accident can even be your fault and potentially you may still be covered. Most of us ride bicycles that worth well over $5,000; especially when you add nice wheels, shoes, helmet, lights, a Garmin computer, clothing, etc. Why the heck wouldn’t you want that insured in case of theft or accident? I know I would. I have all of my bikes insured and have actually had to use the policy as well. So glad I had the insurance when my bike was stolen!

Imagine that one day your riding along with your friends on a little group ride and you are enjoying every second of it when suddenly a cyclist in front of you or beside you decides to swerve to avoid a pot hole, or some road debris (or really anything you can imagine) and you wreck. You end up in the hospital and your bike is totaled. IF YOU HAD BIKE INSURANCE you wouldn’t have to worry about buying that new bike or even having to pay for all or any of your medical expenses. Imagine you go down in a criterium race or any other event including a MTB race or road race, or even a triathlon. With insurance your bike and your medical bills would be covered. How about a stolen bike or even a bike damaged during transportation to and from an event/ride? Again, your bicycle insurance would cover it.

There three major bicycle insurance companies doing business in the U.S. They are Velosurance, Big Ring Insurance, and Spoke Insurance. All three of them offer virtually the same style of coverage plans and options. Velosurance is underwritten by Markel and is therefore my personal top choice. Markel is a very large, well respected, and “A” rated insurance company in the U.S. I feel more secure knowing their long history and happily endorse them.

Here is a typical bicycle insurance coverage summary (this one from Velosurance):

Policy Coverage	Home Owner Policy	Renters Policy
Insured at Full Value	Possibly	Possibly	Yes
Crash Damage	No	No	Yes
Theft Coverage	Limited	Limited	Yes
Theft Away From Home	Possibly	Possibly	Yes
Vehicle Contact	No	No	Yes
Personal Liability	Possibly	Possibly	Yes
Replacement Bike Rental	No	No	Yes
Event Fee Return	No	No	Yes
Cycling Apparel Insured	No	No	Yes
Medical Payments	Possibly	Possibly	Yes
Racing Coverage	No	No	Yes
Electric Assist Bicycles	No	No	Yes
Bicycle Airline Shipping Coverage	No	No	Yes

Here is a summary from Spoke insurance:

Bicycle Policy Coverage	SPOKE	Homeowners	Renters	Auto
Theft – From Home	✓	✓	✓	X
Theft – Away From Home	✓	✓	✓	X
Damage	✓	X	X	X
Liability	✓	✓	✓	✓
Motor Vehicle Contact Protection	✓	X	X	✓
Uninsured Motorist	✓	X	X	✓
Hit and Run	✓	X	X	✓
Medical Payments	✓	X	X	✓
Racing Coverage	✓	X	X	X
Rental Reimbursement	✓	X	X	X
Accessories	✓	✓	✓	X
Roadside Assistance	✓	X	X	X
Free Partner Tow	✓	X	X	X
Electric Bicycles	✓	X	X	X
No Loss Renewal Discount	✓	X	X	X

Both coverage summaries are pretty identical and very typical. I recommend getting quotes from each of the companies and then comparing value, client experience, etc. to help make your final decision. At the end of the day the best advice I could give you is: buy as much insurance as you can afford! UIM/UM coverage on your auto policy along with an umbrella should ABSOLUTELY be a must. Bicycle insurance a no brainer. Again, buy as much as you can afford. It only takes one wreck to change your life for ever. Riding smart and safe while out on your bike would definitely include riding with insurance in my opinion.

The links to the three insurance companies are here:

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.

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.

Arizona Ranked #19 of Bicycle Friendly States

Every year the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) issues report cards for each state ranking them in terms of their “bicycle friendliness.” This year Arizona ranked #19 out of 50 states. This is really not that great. Unfortunately for our state we have much work still to do. The rankings are based on several factors and are best explained directly by the LAB as explained below. The image is the quick view ranking chart overall where Washington hit the #1 spot and Arizona hit the #19 spot:

The Arizona State specific report card is also below where we only received 42 out of 100 points:

Below is the LAB’s explanation of the criteria used to issue the report cards and provides a great perspective on the work we must still accomplish in our home state of Arizona:

What Do We Assess?

How do we determine the Bicycle Friendly State℠ Ranking? With our multi-faceted survey, we assess progress in five categories:

Education and Encouragement
Infrastructure and Funding
Legislation and Enforcement
Programs and Policies
Evaluation and Planning

Click through the slideshow to see how your state stacked up in 2014 in each of the five categories and read more about what each category means below.

Legislation & Enforcement

The Legislation and Enforcement component of the BFS questionnaire covers basic laws and regulations that govern bicycling. Questions include whether cyclists can legally use the shoulder, signal turns with either hand or leave the right-hand portion of the road when their safety requires it. This section also covers motorist responsibilities like passing at a minimum of three feet, making sure traffic is clear before opening automobile doors, and gathers data on the types of training law enforcement officers and traffic court judges receive to ensure protection of cyclists’ rights to the road and safe travel on our shared roadways.

Programs & Policies

The Programs & Policies component of the BFS questionnaire covers what state agency requirements are for accommodating cyclists, be it a Complete Streets policy, a plan or agreement for mountain bike trails, how much state agency staff time is dedicated to bicycling, and whether or not bicycling is included as part of the state’s carbon-reduction plan.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure and how it’s funded is a critical element of the BFS questionnaire, and the questions aim at collecting data on specific performance measurements, i.e. in the amount of facilities and spending amounts for bicycling. Other examples include the percentage of state highways with shoulders, signed bike routes, trail miles, and bicycle-related project obligation rates for available federal funding. As states improve their numbers for many of the BFS questions, the bar will continue to rise for states in regards to bicycle-friendliness.

Education & Encouragement

The Education & Encouragement section covers the amount of bicycling education in the state for adult and youth cyclists, and individual and professional motorists. A few ways that states can educate drivers on the road about cycling, for example, are Share the Road campaigns and questions concerning cyclists’ rights in state drivers’ exams. States can encourage more and better bicycling by promoting bicycling tourism, producing bike maps and collaborating with state and local advocacy groups, along with education efforts.

Evaluation & Planning

The Evaluation & Planning section of the BFS questionnaire surveys how bicycling is incorporated into each state’s yearly planning. Questions address the way bicycling is included in the highway safety plan, outdoor recreation plan and/or bicycle transportation plan. This section also measures results of the state’s bicycle/car crash rates and bike commuting rates.

Source: LAB, http://bikeleague.org/content/categories-and-maps

The Wild Wild West: Arizona – Where Cyclists are Criminals

The Wild Wild West: Arizona – Where Cyclists are Criminals.

No kidding, this is a true story. Simply unbelievable and unfortunately all to common. Recently I helped another client on a pro bono basis who was unfairly charged with criminal property damage. He was facing significant fines, and a criminal record that in Arizona could never be expunged. Here in the “Wild Wild West” we have a saying (and a law) that says: Once a criminal, always a criminal. Seems a bit harsh right? Maybe even unfair? OF COURSE its unfair and definitely harsh. Here is what happened:

My client, the innocent cyclist, was riding along in the roadway legally along the most far right hand side when a car pulled up beside him and began honking its horn. This car was full of college students that felt the need to poke fun at the cyclist and participate in all manner of harassment against him. The story gets better – the harassment, name calling, and horn honking was so severe that my client stopped his bicycle to let the car pass. Of course, the car also stopped and continued the harassment even though there was no stop sign, or stop light, or anything else justifying the car to stop. Their sole intent was to continue harassing the cyclist.

At this point words are exchanged between the cyclist and the passengers of the vehicle… to spare the readers the gory details, lets just all assume that the words exchanged were less than kind from both parties. With the vehicle firmly stopped and the harassment ongoing, my client the cyclist positions himself between his bicycle and the vehicle; the bicycle acting like a makeshift protective barrier just inches away from the car. The passengers in the vehicle determine that their last intimidating maneuver (short of exiting the vehicle and literally assaulting my client) is to lunge the vehicle forward as if they would hit the cyclist standing there. This is all taking place in the roadway no where near a valid or legal stopping position for the car. Out of fear and defense my client steps away and backwards from his bicycle when the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle’s mirror caught the handlebars of the bicycle and brought the bicycle partially onto the hood of the car – at which point the cowardly driver sped off fleeing the scene.

My cyclist client was furious and called the cops himself to report the incident, after all fleeing the scene is a crime in Arizona. While my client is speaking to the police the vehicle along with the harassing passengers actually returned to the scene for what I can only assume was Round #2 of intimidation and harassment. My client seeing the vehicle coming again warned the police and flagged down the driver. They came to a stop and told a great story of how my client was blocking the road and then out of anger towards them as “college kids just having fun” threw his bicycle on their car causing a grand total of approximately $100 of property damage. “Are you kidding me?” is the only thought that came to my mind when listening to this story, as it is not the first nor do I suspect it’ll be the last time I help a cyclist in this sort of predicament. The officer promptly goes to the cyclist (who by way of a minor detail was VERY ANGRY and understandably so, and therefore spoke harshly towards the police officer) and issues a “criminal property damage” citation to the cyclist. The car full of “college kids just having fun” didn’t receive any citations, warnings, or anything else.

A long story short, this case proceeded all the way to trial and settled just minutes before the judge took the bench. The prosecutor refused to believe any part of my client’s story. The police officer refused to believe any part of my client’s story. For months we hammered through issues in and out of court on the pending criminal case for this victim cyclist. Eventually we were able to get the whole case dismissed and the charges dropped with prejudice (never to be filed again in this instance against my cyclist) minutes before the judge took the bench. We were finally able to persuade the driver that taking a bit of money to fix the alleged property damage is his only shot at getting anything out of my client as we would surely prevail at trial. Could we prevail at trial? I’m not sure I am convinced we would have won… The problem in these cases is that many drivers already have unkind feelings towards cyclists and tend to form subtle biases against us for many different reasons including but not limited to: cutting off drivers, running red lights or stop signs, taking a lane and slowing down traffic, and on and on and on. So goes the familiar tale, cyclist then in a way gets punished by the system designed to protect it. Welcome to the Wild Wild West!

Be safe out there. Be extra cautious. Treat everyone with respect as you never know when you will need their help as a witness, police officer, or even the help of an at fault driver.

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 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.

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.

El Tour de Mesa 2015 – Race/Crit Info

With the 2015 El Tour de Mesa quickly approaching its probably best to get some information out there that many of us are highly anticipating. For example, the route has changed significantly – the infamous climb on Shea has been removed. Unconfirmed reports cite the traffic and nearby construction as the leading culprits behind the decision to avoid Shea. Regardless of the reason, I know quite a few cyclists who are plenty happy to not climb that beast!

Registration/Packet Pick Up

One of my favorite aspects to the TDM and El Tour in Tucson is that Perimeter Cycling Association allows for same day registration. Packet pick up is not available on race day (except for the fun rides). Packet pick up will be held at the expo (as is usually the case) located at the Mesa convention center; 263 North Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201. Google map here.

Platinum Riders/Info

For those of you Platinum riders out there, make sure you get your platinum pass on Friday before the race as they are not available race day. To obtain platinum status at TDM you must finish the 72 mile race in under 3:00 hrs for male cyclists and 3:15 for female cyclists. Platinum facts:

Required for entry into Platinum corral at events
Passes available at Platinum meetings at Expo: El Tour de Mesa, El Tour de Tucson and Viva Bike Vegas ONLY
Must attend Platinum meeting to acquire pass (Meeting for TDM 2015 is at 12pm and 6pm Friday before the race).
Not available ride morning
No Platinum designation required for Cochise Classic 165 and 95 mile distances; however, these are qualifying event distances
Platinum corral closes 15 min before start of El Tour de Mesa and Viva Bike Vegas; platinum corral closes 30 minutes before start of El Tour de Tucson

Course Route Info

The route which does not include Shea this year.

2015 El Tour Criterium State Championships

This year the annual Crit race hosted by Two Wheel Jones Bicycles has been chosen as the State Championships. Come out and see some great Crit racing on tap. Very fast racing in a cool urban course right in the middle of downtown Mesa! Registration and more info here. Of course, for those who have always wanted to try out the crit race – this year there is a 1st Timer Crit Experience. What a great idea to get out there and try out one of these races. The proceeds of the 1st Timer Crit Experience are going to a local Autism Charity. It doesn’t get much better than that folks!

2015 El Tour de Mesa – 1st Timer Crit Experience!

I have always wanted to race in a crit but haven’t taken the opportunity yet. Fortunately Two Wheel Jones is hosting the State Championship Criterium race in connection with this year’s El Tour de Mesa (TDM), and they are offering for the first time ever the “1st Timer Crit Experience.” It’s a crit race for first timers. I’m definitely in! The following is taken from their website:

“Never raced a criterium before? This is your opportunity to try one in a controlled and super exciting environment!! The criterium experience will be a non-competitive ride to raise funds for the local Autism Charity “I Can Do Hard Things” Here is the website http://www.hopeforautism.net/
This is how the ride works:

Athletes will follow a “pacer” around the course starting at a warm up pace. No passing the pacer or aggressive overtaking is allowed. The pacer will gradually increase the speed each lap. The officials will pull riders who have fallen off the pack each lap. The last athlete to stay with the pacer WINS!!! This race is for Category 5 and citizen riders only.

Race starts at 5 pm on Friday, April 10.
REGISTER HERE: http://www.arizonareg.com“

Bicycle Advocacy | D.C. to AZ – Do our legislators even care?

Just a couple of weeks ago I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the League of American Bicyclists National Summit in Washington D.C. The entire town is full of would be movers and shakers in just about every identifiable political cause. With the National Bike Summit underway there were plenty of politically minded advocates ready to go to war with their state senators and representatives to help advance the cycling legislative issues of the day.

After several days of various cycling related topics and guest speakers all of us as attendees split up into groups based on our different states we represent. We formulated a game plan and then went to “the hill” (that’s capitol hill) armed with brochures, questions, and statistics to try and get support for some new legislation coming up for debate (i.e. the transportation bill among others).

It didn’t take long to note that we were politely accepted and welcomed into the legislative offices, but that our agenda was more like a request to save some sort of spotted squirrel that no one really cared about. At all times we were treated with professionalism and were absolutely listened to. Yet, there was a definite feeling of disinterest or at least minimal concern for the cycling issues.

I for one was not surprised and expected as much. These are very busy and powerful individuals with very complicated and tangled political agendas that didn’t necessarily include cyclists and our roadways, protective laws, and infrastructure funding. By the end of the day I was amazed at what I had learned about the process of “advocating” as an individual and how effective or ineffective it can be.

Fast forward to a week and half later and I found myself sitting in the office Arizona Senator (and president of the senate) Andy Biggs. My appointment with him had been changed and rescheduled by both of us for a period of a couple of months. Finally we were able to sit down face to face and have a chat about our very specific Arizona laws. I had heard from several in the bicycle community that Andy Biggs was no friend to cyclists and that he absolutely doesn’t care about cycling safety as he feels the laws on the books already are good enough. In fact, he has been quoted as saying that several times before.

Somewhat apprehensive and very eager to get to the bottom of it I went into this appointment full of hope and optimism. I left full of disappointment. Here is what I learned about Arizona Cycling Laws from our very own local legislators:

1) Cycling safety is very important. I was told in the very beginning how important cycling safety is to Andy Biggs. Yet, when it came down to it who would ever say that they are not concerned for the safety of the cyclists? My short and effective response would be: Prove it. Show me. Show us. The statement of cycling safety being very important really felt hollow. I know he meant well and I don’t fault him for saying it, but I couldn’t help but feel short of any support for the statement. Andy Biggs has certainly been very vocal and adamant against passing any cycling safety laws in our recent history.
2) Cyclists shouldn’t get any special treatment. “There are relatively few cyclists compared to the mass amount of motorists – so why should they get any special treatment?” No joke – this is almost word for word what he said to me! At first ear shot it sounds a bit appalling. And in the past when this statement was made to some local cycling advocates there was nothing short of a verbal brawl that ensued and ended badly. The “blood” from that battle still seems strewn everywhere and the wounds are not yet healed. Satire aside, Andy Biggs definitely feels like the majority of the people should get special treatment and not the minority – in this example that means that Arizona cyclists will continue to suffer from his lack of legislative support in part, simply because there are more drivers than cyclists. Wow. That is a tough pill to swallow.
3) The general traffic laws we currently have are good enough. To further support his position Senator Biggs explained that its not just that there are more motorists than cyclists; but also that He is more of an “old school” mindset. He believes that fundamentally law makers should not make laws that carve out special exceptions to just a few people. He feels that our law books are full of too many carved out niches of law, and that in general we as a people have too many laws already. Senator Biggs said that we should use the laws already on the books – especially if they already address the problems that are we are seeking new laws for. My thought is that he has not ridden a bicycle and doesn’t comprehend the very large difference (literally) between a car and a bicycle. Both motorists and cyclists are definitely bound by the traffic code. However, the traffic code was written for users of the roadway that are motorists. Bicycles are by nature very different and more vulnerable than motor vehicles. To blindly assume that general traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles also somehow adequately cover the many differences of cyclists is a bit naive and or ignorant. I get what he is saying about not clogging up our system with new laws if the current laws address the problems. But it seems pretty clear that a more defined set of rules and ordinances should apply to cyclists (pedestrians, and other vulnerable users of the roadways). The differences are too great to ignore. So my answer Andy Biggs is: No, our current laws are not enough. There needs to be more defined and specific provisions that apply to situations involving vulnerable users of the roadways such as cyclists.
4) Cycling advocates are a nuisance. In short, it was clear that as gracious as Andy Biggs was in accepting my request for an appointment, I was nothing more than a nuisance. The sooner my appointment ended with him the better in his mind. I was and am grateful for the opportunity to have met with him personally in a one on one setting. However, I invited him to come and speak to a large group of cyclists to explain his position on Arizona cycling laws and the Arizona traffic code, but he didn’t want anything further to do with the topic and counted it complete upon concluding my appointment. In his mind, he had done his duty by meeting with me and nothing more was needed. My thought: Its not over – its just beginning.

Clearly cycling advocacy must take a much different approach. Both nationally and locally it seems that there are some common themes as outlined above. No one wants to be the guy that is wasting someone’s time and is just politely listened to so as to put an end to the conversation. There must be a better way to unify the cycling community and create a larger voice for cycling advocacy. I know that the Coalition of Arizona Cyclists (locally) and the League of American Bicyclists (nationally) are two organizations attempting to do just that. I for one will jump in head first and hope to contribute in an effective manner.

In short, the individual meetings with local and national legislators is important in my opinion, but I admit that I think it is not always (if at all) very effective. Perhaps if done in mass such appointments may have greater impact. I also feel like there is another way out there just beyond the horizon and I look forward to seeking it out. When we find our Arizona voice I’ll call you up and you can join us in making cycling a better priority and a safer venture here in Arizona. Until then – keep up the good fight the best way you know how.

***

Arizona bicycle accident attorney Ben Dodge

Ben Dodge - Arizona Bicycle Lawyer — Ben Dodge – Arizona Bicycle Lawyer

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.

“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.