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A driver hit you while you were riding. Now you're hurt, your bike is wrecked, and an insurance company is already working to pay as little as possible. Kent Law is here to help. If you're looking for a Phoenix bicycle accident lawyer, you're in the right place. It covers what to do after a crash, the Arizona laws that protect cyclists, how insurers try to blame riders, and what your claim may include. We represent injured cyclists in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and across the East Valley. Call (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
What to do after a bike crash in Phoenix
- Get safe and call 911. Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 so police and paramedics come to the scene.
- Get medical care the same day. Adrenaline can mask pain. Head injuries can be hidden, even when you feel fine. Go to the ER or urgent care today, and tell the doctor you were hit while riding a bike.
- Get the driver's information. Write down the driver's name, phone number, license plate, and insurance company and policy number.
- Take photos. Photograph the scene, the bike lane markings, the traffic signals, your bike, your helmet and gear, the vehicle, and your injuries. Take more photos than you think you need.
- Find witnesses. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash. That includes other riders, people walking by, and people waiting at bus stops.
- Look for cameras. Businesses, doorbell cameras, bus stops, and light rail stops may have caught the crash. Video can be recorded over, so we act quickly to request it.
- Get the police report. Phoenix Police handle crashes on Phoenix city streets. Arizona DPS handles crashes on state highways. If you crashed in another city, get the report from the agency that responded. Write down the report number and the officer's name.
- Keep your bike, helmet, and gear as they are. Don't repair them, clean them, or throw them away. The damage helps show how the crash happened.
- Call us before any recorded statement. The driver's insurer may call quickly and ask to record your statement. Your own insurer may ask too. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT before you give a recorded statement to any insurance company, including your own. Your policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurer, and we help you do that without hurting your claim.
Arizona laws that affect your claim
You have the rights of a driver
In Arizona, a person riding a bicycle on a roadway or shoulder has the rights and duties of a driver of a vehicle (A.R.S. § 28-812). You belong on the road. Drivers have to share it.
The 3-foot passing rule
When a driver passes a bicycle going the same direction, the driver must leave a safe distance of not less than three feet until safely past (A.R.S. § 28-735(A)). A driver who clips your handlebar or sideswipes you did not give you that space.
Bike lanes
A designated bike lane is for the exclusive use of bicycles. Drivers may not drive, stop, or park in it, except in an emergency or to cross it to reach a road or driveway (A.R.S. § 28-815(C)–(D)).
Arizona law also says cyclists riding slower than traffic generally ride as close as practicable to the right edge. There are exceptions, such as avoiding hazards, getting ready for a left turn, or riding in a lane too narrow to share (A.R.S. § 28-815(A)). Moving away from the edge for one of those reasons is part of the law.
Dooring
No one may open a vehicle door unless it is reasonably safe and won't interfere with traffic (A.R.S. § 28-905). If a driver or passenger swung a door into your path, the law puts the duty on the person who opened it.
When insurers blame the cyclist
Insurers often blame the rider. No helmet. No light. "Came out of nowhere." Don't let that stop you. Arizona follows pure comparative fault (A.R.S. § 12-2505). If you were partly at fault, you may still recover. Your damages are reduced by your share of fault, generally not wiped out. Insurers may bring up your helmet or gear. We push back with the evidence: the video, the scene, the vehicle damage, and the witnesses. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.
Insurance that may cover you
The driver's liability insurance is the first place to look. Your own auto policy may also help, even though you were on a bike. If you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may apply when the driver has no insurance or not enough. Med-pay, if you carry it, may help with medical bills. Arizona insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage in writing, but drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). That's why we check exactly what your policy includes. Learn more about uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. If the driver fled, see our page on hit-and-run accidents.
Deadlines
Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Claims against a government move much faster. If a city, county, or state entity or employee caused the crash, a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01), and the lawsuit must generally be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). For example, a city truck or city bus hits you, or a government employee driving on the job turns across your path. Call early so no deadline passes.
When a crash takes a life
When a bike crash kills someone, Arizona's wrongful death laws (A.R.S. §§ 12-611 to 12-613) may allow the family to bring a claim. We handle these cases with care and respect for the family.
Common types of bicycle accident cases
Bike crashes in Arizona are serious. In 2024, 44 bicyclists were killed and 1,349 were injured in Arizona (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1, p. 2). That year, 3.19% of bicycle crashes were fatal (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Arizona at a Glance, p. 2). Statewide, there were 121,107 crashes, with 1,228 people killed and 54,426 people injured (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1, p. 2).
These crashes happen in bike lanes on city streets, at intersections, where canal paths cross streets, and in busy areas around Arizona State University in Tempe and downtown Phoenix. Most of the crash cases we handle happen on city streets and at intersections. Common scenarios include:
- Right-hook crashes. A driver passes you, then turns right across your path at an intersection or driveway.
- Left-cross crashes. An oncoming driver turns left across your path without seeing you, or without waiting.
- Dooring. A driver or passenger opens a car door into you as you ride past.
- Unsafe passing. A driver passes too close and clips you or forces you off the road.
- Bike lane intrusions. A driver drifts into, stops in, or parks in the bike lane and puts you in danger.
- Canal path crossings. A driver hits a rider crossing the street where a canal path meets traffic.
If you were walking instead of riding, see our page on pedestrian accidents.
Common bike crash injuries
A cyclist has little protection against a car. Injuries can include broken bones, road rash, head and brain injuries, spinal injuries, and shoulder and wrist injuries. Some injuries show up days later. Follow your doctor's advice, and keep every appointment.
Evidence and damages
Evidence we gather
We build the proof that shows what the driver did. Depending on the case, that may include:
- The police report
- Video from businesses, doorbells, traffic areas, and transit stops
- Witness statements
- Damage to the vehicle
- Your bike, helmet, and gear
- Data from a ride-tracking app or bike computer, which may show your speed, route, and timing
- Your medical records
- Crash reconstruction experts and other expert witnesses when a case needs them
Damages you may be able to recover
An Arizona bike crash claim may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity if you can't work the way you did before
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage, including your bike, helmet, and gear
Every case is different. What you may recover depends on your injuries, the evidence, and the available insurance.
How Kent Law handles bicycle accident cases
The insurance company has adjusters and lawyers working to pay you as little as possible. We work just as hard for you, and we fight for every penny of compensation you deserve. We take the fight to the insurance company, and we don't back down when they blame the rider. Kent Law focuses on personal injury. We have handled thousands of injury cases, and we recover millions of dollars for injured clients every year. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial. We take on denied and stalled claims, including cases already at the litigation stage. Some insurance adjusters and defense attorneys have hired Kent Law for their own injury cases. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Jonathan Henry, our Managing Attorney, brings extensive trial experience to cases that need to go to court. Adam C. Kent has practiced in Arizona since 2006. He started his career as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and founded Kent Law in 2011.
Where your case is filed depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live. Phoenix-area and East Valley cases are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, and we regularly file in Pima and Pinal counties too.
We have one office, in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix, and we serve Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa from there. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.
What it costs
Kent Law handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. The case review is free. Before you sign anything, we explain the written fee agreement so you know how it works.
Talk with a Phoenix bicycle accident lawyer
A driver hit you, and the insurance company is already working its side of the case. Get someone working yours. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT to tell us what happened. We'll listen, answer your questions, and explain your options. Free case review. No fee unless we win.
Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident in Phoenix?
Not every case needs one, but bike crash claims often turn into a fight over fault. Insurers may say you came out of nowhere, weren't wearing a helmet, or had no light. A lawyer can gather video, witnesses, and crash evidence before it disappears and deal with the insurer for you. Kent Law offers a free case review, so you can learn where you stand before you decide. Call (480) 359-KENT.
How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?
Kent Law handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. The case review is free. If you decide to hire us, we walk you through the written fee agreement before you sign it, so you understand exactly how the fee works. Call (480) 359-KENT to talk about your case.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Arizona?
Most Arizona injury lawsuits must generally be filed within 2 years. Claims against a government move much faster. If a city, county, or state entity or employee caused the crash, such as a city bus, a city truck, or a government employee driving on the job, a notice of claim is generally required within 180 days, and the lawsuit must generally be filed within 1 year. Call early so no deadline slips by.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Talk with a lawyer anyway. Insurers may bring up a helmet, a light, or your clothing to shift blame onto you. Arizona uses pure comparative fault, so even if you were partly at fault, you may still recover, reduced by your share. We push back with the evidence: what the driver did, the scene, the video, the vehicle damage, and the witnesses. Call (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
Can my own car insurance help if I was hit while riding my bike?
It may. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may apply when the driver has no insurance or not enough, even though you were on a bike. Med-pay, if you have it, may help with medical bills. Call us before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. We review your policy and help you use the coverage you paid for.
What if the driver hit me and drove away?
Call 911 and get medical care. Write down anything you remember about the car, the driver, and the direction they went. Look for witnesses and nearby cameras. Your own UM coverage may help if the driver is never found. We act quickly to look for video and other evidence that can identify the driver. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.
Do you handle bicycle accident cases in Tempe and Chandler?
Yes. We represent injured cyclists in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and across the East Valley from our office in Phoenix. We don't have offices in those cities, and you don't need to travel to us. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.
Sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.