If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may have very serious injuries that can take a long time to heal. Your injuries may prevent you from returning to work and supporting your family. Your medical bills may rise substantially during this time – further complicating matters.

This can be a frightening time for you and your family. You are probably doing your best to heal from your injuries and get your life back on track while being unsure of how to get a settlement for your injuries from the at-fault party. Insurance companies have little interest in your health or your future and are mostly interested in their financial bottom line. 

They may offer you a quick settlement that will not cover all your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies hope you will accept this first, low settlement so they will not have to pay what your claim is actually worth. Because of this, it is extremely important that you have an experienced Arizona bicycle accident lawyer by your side who can accurately determine what your claim is really worth, then fight for that amount on your behalf. 

You should not have to worry about getting the money you are owed while you are trying to heal from your injuries. When you choose Ciccarelli Law Offices, you are ensuring you have an attorney who is concerned with your health, your finances, and your future. We will never accept an offer that will not cover your expenses, even if we have to go to court to ensure you receive a fair offer. 

Why Choose the Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyers from Ciccarelli Law Offices?

At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we understand that you have choices when you choose an Arizona bicycle accident attorney. We hope you will give us a chance to show you all the ways we can help you through this difficult time. We offer a free initial consultation where we will answer all your questions in a comprehensive manner while clearly explaining the process to you. 

We are responsive to your calls/emails/texts because we believe in transparency and honesty. We promise to fight for your right to get the medical treatments you need, as well as reimbursement for your medical expenses and lost wages, as well as payment for pain and suffering. 

We know that you have many choices when it comes to hiring an Arizona car accident attorney and we hope you will call Ciccarelli Law Offices. Attorney Lee Ciccarelli has been recognized as:

• Super Lawyer 
• Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association
• Having the highest rating (10.0) by AVVO 
• One of the Top 100 Litigation Attorneys by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

If you want a lawyer who truly cares about your future, contact Ciccarelli Law Offices today.  

What Compensation is Available Following an Arizona Bicycle Accident?

The compensation you are entitled to receive following your Arizona bicycle accident will depend on the facts and circumstances of your accident, as well as the extent of your injuries. Bicyclists hit by a vehicle often suffer extremely serious injuries, as they have no protection other than a bicycle helmet if worn. 

Medical expenses are always a part of the compensation for an accident. Your medical expenses, including hospital and ER costs, physician expenses, prescription medication costs, and the costs for rehabilitative therapies are all a part of medical expense compensation. If your injuries will require medical treatments for a very long time, then future medical expense compensation will also be included. 

If you were injured so severely that you were unable to return to work for weeks, months, or even longer, you are entitled to reimbursement for lost wages, both current and future. Future lost wages are determined by considering the job you had at the time of your accident, your education, and the likely trajectory of your career. Medical expenses and lost wages are known as “special” damages because they are easy to quantify—that is, there are clear numbers associated with medical expenses and lost wages. 

General damages are more difficult to compute because they are more subjective. Pain and suffering are considered general damages and include actual physical pain as well as mental trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Damages can also include your inability to accomplish the day-to-day tasks that you once did prior to the accident. There can also be punitive damages, although they are much rarer. Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant acted willfully or maliciously. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant as well as deter others from doing the same thing. 

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Bicycle Accidents?

Even though bicycle riders have as much right to the roadways, particularly bike lanes, as drivers of large vehicles, bicyclists do not have as many protective safety features as cars, leaving them severely, even fatally injured. From cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bruises, to life-altering disabilities, bicyclists struck by a car may experience the following injuries:

• Head injuries are common among bicyclists who are involved in accidents. These injuries can range from skull fractures, cuts on the head, and concussions, all the way to traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can cause a lifetime of problems and medical issues, including cognitive issues, and even personality changes that affect not only the victim of the bicycle accident but his or her family as well. Traumatic brain injuries can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatments. 
• Facial injuries are also common among bicyclists involved in an accident. Facial injuries can include cuts, lost or broken teeth, a fractured jaw, eye or vision damage, a broken nose, or road rash that causes permanent scarring. 
• Bodily trauma can include soft-tissue injuries, whiplash, broken legs, or torn ligaments. Riders who attempt to brace for a fall can dislocate a shoulder or break a hand or wrist when they strike the pavement. When a car strikes the middle of the body, broken ribs, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding can occur. 
• Neck and back injuries can occur when a bicyclist is struck with extreme force. Severe trauma to the neck and back can result in damage to the spinal cord, leading to paralysis, or herniated discs.  

A bicycle accident should be thoroughly investigated to ensure the right party or parties are held liable for the injuries.  

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

There are five major causes of bicycle accidents, including:

• Bicycle dooring accidents—this type of accident occurs when the bicyclist runs into a car door that was opened into the path of the bicyclist. On busy streets with heavier traffic, bicyclists often ride very closely to parked cars. Drivers have a responsibility to make sure they check to ensure no bicycle or motorcyclist is coming before opening their door. 
• Sideswipes—this type of accident occurs when the motorist does not give the bicyclist sufficient room while passing. Drivers complain that bicyclists are in the way of traffic when they move left, but the alternative is to risk a dooring accident. 
• Following too closely  – Drivers who rear-end a bicyclist usually do so because they are either following too closely or are simply not paying attention. 
• Right cross and left cross bicycle accidents occur when a vehicle crosses into the bicyclist’s path at an intersection or from an alley or driveway. The bicyclist has entered the intersection when the turn is performed, and visibility is a factor. Drivers may not be paying attention, or simply do not see the bicyclist. 
• Right turning vehicles – Bicyclists may be hit by a right-turning vehicle in an intersection. 

Other causes of bicycle accidents include inclement weather, excess speed on the part of the driver, impaired drivers, distracted drivers, fatigued drivers, road hazards, or reckless driving behaviors including driving too close to a bicyclist. Drivers need to be much more aware of bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians when driving to avoid hitting a vulnerable bicyclist. 

What Should You Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident?

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, it is important that you call 911 to receive police and medical help as quickly as possible. You should always be medically checked out following your bicycle accident, even if you think you are fine. The adrenaline rush you experience during an accident can mask the symptoms of an injury, which can manifest hours, days, or weeks after the accident. If your injuries are serious, the quicker you receive medical attention, the better for your health and your future. If you are physically able:

• Take photographs at the scene of the accident
• Obtain contact information from any witnesses
• When you get home, write down everything you can remember about the accident. The smallest detail can make a difference and help your attorney build your case.
• Keep a file with all your medical receipts
• Contact an experienced Arizona bicycle accident attorney as quickly as possible 

The at-fault driver’s insurance company may call you and ask if they can record your conversation. Never agree to this, and always refer them to your attorney. They may also offer you a lowball settlement amount that will not fully cover your injuries. Having a knowledgeable accident attorney from Ciccarelli Law Offices by your side from start to finish can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. 

Call Our Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you suffered an injury in a bicycle accident in Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, or anywhere in the state of Arizona, we can help. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Arizona bicycle accident attorneys have the experience and resources you need to fight the insurance companies and obtain the justice you deserve. 

Let Attorneys Lee Ciccarelli help you through this difficult time in your life. Call us today to begin fighting for justice after a serious bicycle accident.