Bicycle accidents can lead to very serious injuries and damages in the State of Florida. Bicycle riders are much more vulnerable on the road, especially in urban areas. It is important for all road users to understand cyclist safety and respect bike lanes in order to protect bicyclists.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience when it comes to protecting bicyclists throughout the State of Florida. Our law firm understands traffic law better than anyone else, and we will guide you through the legal system.
If you are looking for legal advice following a bicycle accident, then you should reach out to a bicycle accident lawyer now. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in the State of Florida
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that 75% of bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas, and 25% of bicycle accidents occurred in rural areas in the year 2017. The same report also stated that:
- 27% of fatal bicycle accidents occurred at intersections.
- 63% of fatal bicycle accidents happened in other areas of the road.
- 10% of fatal bicycle accidents occurred at other locations like parking lanes, roadsides, medians, trails, sidewalks, and more.
It is important that you have a bicycle accident attorney on your side following an accident. Our law firm will help you to prove who was liable for the bicycle accident and fight to win the compensation that you deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in the State of Florida
The State of Florida is home to thousands of bicyclists. Many of them love riding their bikes in the sunshine, but there are also plenty of tourists who love to rent their bicycles and enjoy the Sunshine State. However, the more bicyclists that are on the road, it means that there is a stronger possibility for bike accidents to happen. Most bicycle accidents tend to occur as a result of:
- Distracted driving – Drivers who are easily get distracted behind the wheel are dangerous on the road. Driving while using a mobile phone is a very serious problem in the State of Florida. It causes many fatal accidents, which also, unfortunately, includes bicyclists.
- Speeding – Drivers who speed on the road can create plenty of dangerous situations. Many bicyclist deaths occur as a result of speeding motor vehicles.
- Traffic weaving – Drivers who weave in and out of traffic can cause hazardous situations on the road. It usually means that the driver is not paying attention to other road users, like bicyclists, and they can quickly end up in an accident.
- Failing to look while turning – Drivers who fail to look while turning do not notice a bicyclist who is around the corner. It is easy for them to collide with a bicyclist when they fail to look while turning.
- Failure to yield – Drivers who fail to yield often cause accidents with bicycle riders, motorcyclists, truck drivers, and other vehicle drivers.
Reasons Why Bikers and Drivers Collide on the Road in the State of Florida
Car accidents are a daily occurrence, and the people who are hit while cycling or walking will face many more challenges to get back on their feet. This is due to the fact that bike accidents are much more serious cases as a result of how exposed the bicycle rider is. Most bicycle accidents will lead to serious injuries, and the most common reasons why bicycle riders and drivers collide on the road include:
- Rear-end collisions – A rear-end collision is the most common cause of car and bike accidents. A biker can get hit on the back wheel, which forces them to flip.
- Left-turn collisions – A left turn collision happens when a car traveling in the opposite direction makes a left turn that hits the front of the bicyclist. The driver might strike the bicycle rider on his side, which launches him from the bicycle into the street.
- Right hook collision – A right hook collision happens when a driver travels next to a bicyclist and fails to notice the biker before they make the right turn. Consequently, it cuts off the biker’s path and causes a collision.
- Pull out collision – A pull out collision is when a driver backs out of a driveway or pulls out from a side street without looking for bicyclists or other road users. A car that pulls out of a parking lot or an alleyway does not leave a bicyclist time to brake or avoid a collision.
- Dooring collision – A dooring collision happens when someone in a parked car suddenly opens a door directly in front of a bicyclist. The open door blocks the bicyclist and forces him to either stop, swerve into traffic or collide with the door or the person exiting the car.
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Compensation for a Bicycle Accident in the State of Florida
If you or someone you know were involved in a bicycle accident, then you could be entitled to file a personal injury claim in the State of Florida. It is imperative that you hire a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible following a bike accident so that you start your case straight away.
- Medical expenses – Prescription medication, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medical equipment, doctor’s visits, and hospitalization.
- Lost wages – Changes to your usual income, a reduced earning capacity, and money that you lost as a result of being unable to work.
- Property damage – The costs to replace or repair your bicycle, helmet, clothes, mobile phone, and other property damage.
- Pain and suffering – Forms of physical pain, mental trauma, emotional anguish, and more.
- Wrongful death – If a loved one was killed in a bicycle accident, then you could be entitled to file a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for funeral bills, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more, according to Florida Statute 768.21.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Statute of Limitations on Bicycle Accidents in the State of Florida
You have four years to file a personal injury claim following a bicycle accident in the State of Florida according to the statute of limitations. However, if someone you love was killed in a bicycle accident, then you only have two years to file a wrongful death claim.
If you fail to take legal action following a bicycle accident, then your case will get dismissed under Florida Statue 95.11.
Contact The Law Place Today
If you or someone you know were injured in a bicycle accident in the State of Florida, then you should consider filing a personal injury claim. If you wish to protect your rights, then it is important that you seek legal advice from a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge in tackling bicycle accidents for clients who live all over the State of Florida. Our team of bicycle accident lawyers will work hard to win the compensation that you deserve to cover all of your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
If you have questions in regard to a bicycle accident, then you should reach out to a bicycle accident attorney now. Our phone lines are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.