Bicycle Accident Claims in Arizona

Bicycles: a person riding a bicycle on a roadway or shoulder has all the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except where special bicycle rules apply. A driver passing a bicycle must keep at least three feet of distance until safely past; if a violation causes a collision with serious physical injury the civil penalty is up to $500, and up to $1,000 if it causes death. Cyclists slower than traffic must ride as close as practicable to the right edge (with exceptions for passing, left turns, hazards and lanes too narrow to share) and no more than two abreast; vehicles may not drive or park in a designated bike lane except in an emergency or to cross it. The sections read do not set a bicycle helmet requirement.

Pure comparative negligence. If the jury finds the injured person was partly at fault, the claim is not barred, but damages are reduced in proportion to that person's share of fault. A claimant who intentionally, willfully or wantonly caused or contributed to the injury does not get the benefit of comparative negligence.

For policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2020, minimum liability limits are $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15).

A personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Claims for false imprisonment, libel or slander have one year. For someone under 18 or of unsound mind when the claim accrues, the time generally does not run until the disability ends.