Practice areas · Motor Vehicle
Bike Accident Injury Lawyers
Injured in a bike accident? Our skilled attorneys at Hirsch Talcott specialize in bike accident claims, helping you get compensation.
By Jack Hirsch — Personal Injury Attorney · Certified Specialist, Injury & Wrongful Death · State Bar of Arizona, admitted 1988
Legally reviewed by Chelsie Talcott, JD Published Feb 27, 2025 Last updated Jun 10, 2025 Editorial policy Disclaimer
Short answer.
Hirsch Talcott handles numerous accident cases in Arizona, where bicyclists are granted nearly equal rights on the road as motorists. They also bear the same responsibility to obey traffic laws. If there is no designated bike path, bicyclists are generally obligated to ride with the flow of traffic.
Phoenix Accident Law Firm for Bicycle Accidents
Hirsch Talcott handles numerous accident cases in Arizona, where bicyclists are granted nearly equal rights on the road as motorists. They also bear the same responsibility to obey traffic laws. If there is no designated bike path, bicyclists are generally obligated to ride with the flow of traffic.
We frequently encounter scenarios where a bicyclist riding against the flow of traffic is struck by a motorist in accidents. The motorist may be unaware of the approaching bicyclist. Because they are exiting a driveway and focused on traffic from the opposite direction. Assigning fault for such collisions can be a challenging task. In such situations, we have achieved successful compensation recoveries for numerous bicyclists who sustained serious injuries.
When you choose to work with our law firm, a skilled Phoenix personal injury attorney will thoroughly review your case. Gather the necessary evidence to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Our commitment lies in advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive the rightful restitution you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Bicycle Accidents Often Result in Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Whether you ride a bike to commute to work, for exercise, or simply for enjoyment, a crash with a motor vehicle can lead to severe, even fatal, injuries. Based on 2014 statistics from the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; there were 50,000 reported injuries and 724 fatalities among bicyclists involved in traffic crashes.
Additionally, 71 percent of these bicycle fatalities occurred in urban areas. Furthermore, in the state of Arizona alone, traffic accidents claimed the lives of 29 bicyclists in 2014, accounting for nearly 4% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
Head injuries
Head injuries, fractures and soft tissue injuries are among the most common types of bicycle accident injuries we see in our legal practice. These cases can be particularly challenging, and the point of impact on the roadway as established by witnesses is generally the key to proving a case of liability against the motorist. Other issues that often come into play in a bicycle accident case include the:
- Lighting at the time of the accident, either on the bike or adjacent street lighting
- Time of the accident, e.g. if it happened at night and whether the bicyclist was wearing reflective clothing
- The attentiveness of the motorist
Driver inattentiveness stands as one of the primary causes of traffic accidents. Involving bicyclists, whether you were side-swept, rear-ended, or hit when a car crossed your path at an intersection. Motorists often use cell phones and other devices in an attempt to multitask when operating their automobiles. These devices distract drivers from keeping their eyes and ears on the road. Significantly increasing their chances of crashing into a bicyclist or other vehicles traveling on the road.
Contact a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer Today for a Free Case Review
If you’ve experienced a serious injury in a bicycle accident, we’re here to help. One of the best things you can do is to talk with a bicycle accident attorney experienced in handling motor vehicle/bicycle crash cases. Hirsch Talcott Accident Law offers free claim reviews. To individuals who have sustained serious injuries in bicycle and other types of accidents. We invite you to take advantage of our services. To determine whether your case has sufficient evidence to present a successful claim for damages.
What are Arizona's laws for drivers passing bicyclists?
Arizona's three-foot law, A.R.S. § 28-735, requires a driver overtaking a bicycle to leave at least three feet of clearance — and violating it when a crash results is strong evidence of negligence. Bicyclists themselves hold the same rights and duties as vehicle drivers under A.R.S. § 28-812: a cyclist riding lawfully in the lane is not "in the way," whatever the insurance adjuster implies.
Does it hurt my case if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Arizona has no statewide helmet requirement for adult cyclists, so riding without one is not illegal — but expect the insurer to argue it under Arizona's comparative fault rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505) to discount head-injury damages. The counter is medical: helmet use is irrelevant to broken bones, road rash, and most of the harm in a typical crash, and fault for the collision itself belongs to whoever caused it.
What should a cyclist do right after a crash?
The same evidence rules as any vehicle collision, with one addition: preserve the bicycle itself, unrepaired — frame damage is physical proof of impact forces. Photograph the scene and the driver's vehicle, get witnesses, seek medical care the same day, and report the crash. Arizona's two-year statute of limitations (A.R.S. § 12-542) applies, with the 180-day notice trap if a government vehicle or road defect is involved. For the full picture — driver-fault patterns, the door zone, and UM/UIM coverage for cyclists — see our Phoenix bicycle accident lawyer guide.
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