Tempe has more cyclists per capita than almost any city in Arizona. The combination of ASU's massive student population, the Tempe Town Lake trail, the Rio Salado Pathway, light rail connections, and a dense network of bike lanes makes cycling an everyday reality for tens of thousands of Tempe residents. It also makes Tempe one of the most dangerous cities in the state for bicycle crashes — particularly around campus, along Mill Avenue, and at the high-speed arterial intersections that slice through the city.
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in Tempe, our bicycle accident attorneys at Sher Law Group handle these cases throughout the Valley. Free consultation, no fee unless we win.
Tempe's most dangerous corridors for cyclists
- Apache Boulevard and University Drive — high-density student and commuter traffic alongside heavily used bike lanes; dooring common in commercial parking corridors
- Mill Avenue — Old Town foot traffic, restaurant delivery vehicles, rideshare pickups and dropoffs blocking bike lanes
- Rural Road and McClintock Drive — high-speed north-south arterials where turning vehicles regularly cut across bike lanes without yielding
- Priest Drive and Broadway Road — industrial and commercial traffic; trucks turning at intersections with limited sight lines
- Rio Salado Pathway crossings — at-grade crossings where the trail crosses busy roads; drivers often don't yield to trail users
- Light rail corridor (Washington/Jefferson) — mixed traffic environment with rail, buses, vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians in close proximity
ASU students and cyclist rights in Tempe
A significant share of Tempe bicycle accident victims are ASU students — often riding to class, to a job, or between campus and off-campus housing. Students have exactly the same legal rights as any other cyclist. Arizona law gives cyclists the same road rights as motor vehicle operators (A.R.S. §§ 28-811 through 28-817), and drivers must maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing (A.R.S. § 28-735). Being a student doesn't reduce your rights, and it doesn't reduce the value of your injury claim.
One issue that comes up in student cases: health insurance coverage and medical lien resolution. If your injuries required treatment and your student health plan paid, those payments may need to be resolved as part of the settlement. An experienced attorney handles lien negotiation so you keep as much of the recovery as possible.
Arizona comparative fault and your Tempe claim
Arizona follows pure comparative fault (A.R.S. § 12-2505). If you were riding without lights after dark, in the wrong direction, or outside a marked bike lane, a driver's insurer will argue you share responsibility for the crash. Under Arizona law, you can still recover even if you were partly at fault — your compensation is reduced by your percentage. What matters is keeping that percentage as low as the facts support. That's an argument attorneys make, not one you should be making with an adjuster on your own.
Government liability — City of Tempe and ADOT
Tempe has invested significantly in cycling infrastructure, but potholes, faded lane markings, and poorly designed intersections still cause crashes. If a road defect contributed to your accident, the City of Tempe or ADOT may share liability — but government claims carry a hard 180-day Notice of Claim deadline (A.R.S. § 12-821.01). This deadline runs from the date of injury, not from when you decide to file. If a road condition played any role in your crash, contact an attorney immediately.
What your Tempe bicycle accident claim can recover
- Medical expenses — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, future treatment
- Lost wages during recovery and reduced future earning capacity
- Bicycle, helmet, and gear replacement
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injury damages
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed
For realistic settlement ranges by injury type, see our post on Arizona bicycle accident settlement amounts.
What to do immediately after a crash in Tempe
- Call 911 — a police report is essential even if injuries seem minor
- Get the driver's name, license, insurance, and plate number before they leave
- Photograph the crash scene: vehicle damage, your bicycle, road conditions, and your injuries
- Get names and phone numbers from every witness
- Seek medical attention the same day — adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries (concussion, internal bleeding) aren't immediately obvious
- Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney
See our full guide on what to do in the first 48 hours after a bicycle accident.
Sher Law Group — Tempe and East Valley bicycle accident representation
Our bicycle accident lawyers represent injured cyclists in Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and across the East Valley. We handle every aspect of the claim — investigation, insurance negotiations, medical lien resolution, and trial if the insurer won't offer fair value. Contingency fee basis — no upfront cost, no fee unless we win.
Call or text (480) 418-SHER (7437) or contact us online for a free consultation.