Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Cyclists Hit by Drivers

If a driver hit you while you were riding, an Arizona bicycle accident lawyer can explain who is at fault, which insurance may pay and how long you have to act. Valley Accident Law is in Scottsdale, serves the Phoenix metro and takes cases anywhere in Arizona. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.

Free case review Call (602) 584-8054

A bent road bicycle lying on its side at the curb, front wheel out of true, no rider in frame

Filing deadline: Generally 2 years from the crash; A.R.S. 12-542(1)
Rider's status on the road: All the rights and duties of a vehicle driver; A.R.S. 28-812
Statewide bicycle helmet law: None, for riders of any age; Local ordinances
Fault rule: Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar; A.R.S. 12-2505

A cyclist from behind in a painted bike lane on a busy Scottsdale road, cars passing close

Cyclists Have the Same Rights and Duties as Drivers

A person riding a bicycle on a roadway or shoulder has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for bicycle-specific rules and provisions that cannot apply (A.R.S. 28-812). That works both ways. Drivers must respect a rider's place on the road, and riders must follow signals, signs and lane rules.

In practice, cyclists often get less respect than that rule suggests. Drivers misjudge speed, pass too close or turn across a bike lane without looking. Insurers then ask why a rider was on that road at all.

A bicycle crash lawyer helps by setting out what the law gave you a right to do and by gathering the evidence that supports it. We take cases from across the Phoenix metro and the rest of the state, and we start by phone.

How Bicycle Crashes Happen

These patterns point to the evidence a bicycle claim needs.

The right hook: A driver passes a rider and then turns right across the bike lane, or turns without checking the lane.
The left cross: A driver turning left at an intersection fails to yield to an oncoming rider.
Passing too closely: A sideswipe or a mirror strike from a driver who gave too little room.
Dooring: A parked driver opens a door into the path of a rider.
Driveways and parking lots: A driver backs out or pulls out without seeing a rider on the sidewalk or shoulder.
Road defects: Potholes, debris, drainage grates or poor markings. If a public road is involved, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01).

Bicycle Helmet and E-Bike Rules in Arizona

Helmet rules are local in Arizona, which surprises many riders.

Rule	Where it applies	What it means for a claim
No statewide helmet law	Statewide, for riders of any age	Not wearing a helmet does not by itself break a state law.
Helmet required for riders under 18 on a bicycle	Pima County, Tucson, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista and Yuma, by local ordinance	A local violation can be raised by an insurer, but it does not end a claim.
Helmet rules for minors on e-bikes and electric scooters	Gilbert, Mesa and Peoria, by local ordinance	The rider's age and the device matter for both safety and fault arguments.

Source: Local ordinances as confirmed by our attorney in October 2026. We do not print city code section numbers; call us for the rule that applies to your location.

If a Driver Hit You, or If the Road or a Public Vehicle Did

The target of the claim changes the deadline.

A driver or private party

Generally 2 years to file a lawsuit (A.R.S. 12-542(1)).
The driver's liability insurance, plus your UM/UIM coverage if the driver had none or too little.
The insurer will argue about the percentage of fault.

A city, county or state entity

A notice of claim with the facts and a specific sum certain within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01).
Deemed denied after 60 days. Lawsuit within 1 year after accrual (A.R.S. 12-821).
Applies to defective roads, signals or a public vehicle.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

General steps, not legal advice for your exact situation.

A rental e-scooter and an e-bike leaning by a downtown Tempe curb, students far in the background

1
Call 911 and get medical help
Arizona law requires immediate notice to police, the sheriff or the highway patrol when a crash injures or kills someone (A.R.S. 28-666).
2
Do not ride the bike away
Keep the bike as it was. Photograph it, your clothing and the road. If safely possible, before any vehicle is moved, photograph the scene.
3
Get the driver's details
Name, plate, insurance and witness names. Ask nearby businesses about cameras.
4
Keep your helmet and gear
They are evidence of the impact and your injuries.
5
Be careful with recorded statements
Do not agree to a recorded statement before talking with us. See talking to insurance adjusters.

Fault, Visibility and Your Own Part

Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault, and in cyclist cases the argument is almost predictable: the rider was hard to see, the rider was in the wrong place, or the rider swerved. Arizona uses pure comparative fault with no percentage bar (A.R.S. 12-2505), so your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame but not barred.

Stop-and-go freeway traffic on a Phoenix interstate at rush hour, long lens compression, heat haze

We look at the driver's sight lines, speed, phone use and the road layout. Lights, reflectors and clothing may come up, and we address them with the facts instead of letting the insurer define them.

If the driver was impaired, it is unlawful to drive impaired to the slightest degree, or with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours of driving (A.R.S. 28-1381). The civil claim is independent of any criminal case. If the driver left, physical contact is not required for an uninsured motorist claim, but you need corroboration such as an eyewitness, video, scene evidence or 911 records (A.R.S. 20-259.01(M)).

Evidence That Helps a Cyclist's Claim

We collect items like these early.

The police report and officer notes
Photos of the bike, helmet, clothing and injuries
Bike computer, phone or ride app data showing speed and route
Dashcam, doorbell and storefront video
The driver's phone records, if distraction is suspected
Witness names and 911 audio
Medical records and bills
Receipts for repairs or replacement of the bike and gear

A Loop 101 freeway overpass at sunset, layered ramps, cars streaming, desert-colored sound walls

Deadlines in a Bicycle Accident Claim

The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years from the date of injury (A.R.S. 12-542(1)). For a public entity, a notice of claim is due within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01) and a lawsuit within 1 year after accrual (A.R.S. 12-821). A child's deadlines are paused until 18 for private claims (A.R.S. 12-502), but for public entities the parents' own claim for medical bills is not paused. These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.

What Shapes a Bicycle Accident Settlement

There is no formula. These factors decide where a claim lands.

Injury severity: Fractures, head injuries, spine injuries and road rash scarring.
Medical costs now and later: Surgery, rehabilitation and future care.
Lost income: Time away from work and changes to earning capacity.
Fault: The insurer's percentage and the evidence against it.
Insurance: Liability limits (minimum $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage under A.R.S. 28-4009) and UM/UIM coverage. Arizona has no caps on personal injury damages (Ariz. Const. art. 2, sec. 31).

Choosing a Bicycle Accident Law Firm

If you search for a bicycle accident law firm or the best bicycle accident lawyer, remember that no ranking can tell you who is right for your claim. A cyclist lawyer should explain the law, preserve evidence and answer your calls. A personal injury lawyer for a bicycle accident should also be clear about costs.

A sun-baked shopping center parking lot with rows of cars, shade structures, a car reversing out

People ask about a bicycle accident settlement. There is no honest average, because injuries, bills, fault and insurance vary. We can review your records on a free case review.

You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Our fee agreement is written and signed and states the percentage and how costs are handled (Ariz. ER 1.5(c)). See how contingency fees work. Our attorney, Charles Paglialunga, has 32 years of experience.

Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer by City

Choose the city where you were hit for local roads, trails, police agencies, courts and hospitals.

Questions

Questions about Arizona bicycle accident cases

Is there a helmet law for cyclists in Arizona?

There is no statewide bicycle helmet law for riders of any age. Several cities and counties require riders under 18 to wear a helmet, including Pima County, Tucson, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista and Yuma, and Gilbert, Mesa and Peoria have helmet rules for minors on e-bikes and electric scooters.

Do I need a cycling accident attorney if I was not wearing a helmet?

Often you can still bring a claim. An insurer may argue that helmet use affected your injuries, but a missing helmet does not by itself end a claim. We will explain how it applies to your facts.

Should I call a bicycle crash lawyer if the driver says I rode into the road?

A rider has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver (A.R.S. 28-812). Fault is argued from sight lines, speed and video. Even if you share some blame, Arizona has no percentage bar (A.R.S. 12-2505).

What if a pothole or road defect caused my crash?

A claim against a city, county or the state requires a notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01). Call us quickly so we can preserve evidence.

Does a cyclist have the same rights as a driver in Arizona?

Yes, in most situations. A person riding a bicycle on a roadway or shoulder has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, with a few bicycle-specific exceptions (A.R.S. 28-812). That matters after a crash, because a driver who failed to yield to you is judged the same way as a driver who failed to yield to another car. It also means the insurance company will look at whether you followed the rules of the road, so tell us exactly what happened and we will explain how it applies to you.

What if the driver left the scene?

Leaving the scene of an injury or fatal crash is a felony (A.R.S. 28-661, 28-663). Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply, and physical contact is not required if you can corroborate what happened.

What is a bicycle accident settlement worth?

There is no reliable average. Value depends on injuries, medical costs, lost income, fault and insurance.

How much does it cost to hire you?

You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. We explain the written fee agreement before you decide.

Free case review

Talk With an Arizona Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Tell us what happened and we will explain your legal rights. Our experienced and friendly attorney will answer your questions. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights. Contact us for a free case review.

(602) 584-8054

Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.