Cycling Accidents

Florida Cycling Accidents: Advocating for Cyclists’ Rights and Recovery

Have you or a loved one been involved in a cycling accident in Florida? Recovering from such an incident can be a challenging journey, but you don’t have to face it alone. By working with an experienced Florida cycling accident attorney, injured cyclists have the means to seek financial compensation for the damages they have suffered due to a bicycle crash.

At Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys is here to fight for your rights and help you seek the justice and compensation you need. Contact us today at (561) 835-5555(561) 835-5555 to discuss your case during a free case evaluation with our Florida bike accident lawyers, and let us guide you on the path to recovery.

Common Injuries in Florida Cycling Accidents

Florida cycling accidents can lead to severe injuries, causing physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Understanding the common injuries associated with bicycle accidents is crucial when seeking compensation for your damages. Some of the injuries cyclists may experience include:

• Head and Brain Injuries: Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to head and brain injuries due to the lack of protective barriers. These injuries can range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries with long-lasting effects. Our law firm is prepared to connect you to medical professionals that can diagnose and treat a traumatic brain injury in Florida.
• Bone Fractures and Dislocations: The impact of a cycling accident can lead to bone fractures, dislocations, and severe orthopedic injuries, which may affect the limbs, collarbones, ribs, and pelvis.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: High-impact bike accidents can lead to spinal cord injuries, which can cause paralysis or permanent disabilities. We can guide you to medical professionals who can properly diagnose and document spinal injuries, helping to determine the various implications for your future and related damages involved in your bike crash case.
• Neck Injuries: A variety of neck injuries with a wide range of severity can occur due to a bicycle accident.
• Ruptured Discs: Neck and back injuries suffered during bike accidents can involve ruptured discs in the spine, which can be painful and debilitating.
• Road Rash and Abrasions: When a cyclist is thrown from their bike, they are susceptible to road rash — a painful skin abrasion caused by contact with the road surface.
• Internal Injuries: Bicycle accidents can also lead to internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, or injuries to the lungs and other vital organs.
• Wrongful Death: As bicyclists are exposed to their environments and the vehicles around them, bicycle injuries can be fatal. Our bicycle accident lawyers can also pursue a wrongful death claim in response to a fatal bicycle accident in Florida.

At Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers, we understand the unique challenges faced by cycling accident victims. Our compassionate bicycle accident attorneys fight tirelessly to seek the compensation necessary to cover medical expenses, ongoing treatment, lost wages, and other damages for injured bicyclists.

To learn more about how uninsured motorist coverage can help you after a bicycle accident, check out our blog entry here: Six Reasons to Buy Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Proving Fault in a Florida Cycling Accident Case

Your bicycle accident lawyer will work with you to collect and present evidence demonstrating that you suffered injuries and losses, and that these injuries and losses were caused due to the negligent behavior of the other party.

Elements to Prove Fault in a Cycling Accident Case in Florida

In a Florida cycling accident case, several key steps or elements must be established to prove fault:

1. Demonstrate Duty of Care: The first step is to show that the motorist had a duty of care towards the cyclist. In Florida, motorists are required to follow traffic laws and exercise reasonable caution.
2. Prove Breach of Duty: Next, it must be shown that the motorist breached this duty of care. This could involve violating traffic laws, driving recklessly, or failing to pay attention to the road.
3. Establish Causation: It must be demonstrated that the motorist’s breach of duty directly caused the bicycle accident. This often involves providing evidence from the scene, such as skid marks or traffic camera footage.
4. Show Damages: Finally, the bike rider must have suffered actual damages due to the accident, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or property damage.

Additional steps that could strengthen a case include preserving any relevant evidence, gathering witness statements, and documenting the accident through a police report. Your bike accident lawyer will help you navigate every step of your bicycle crash case.

Proving Negligence in a Florida Cycling Accident Case

In Florida, fault in a bike accident is typically determined by proving negligence, which means showing that the other party failed to behave with a reasonable level of care. This could involve demonstrating that the driver violated traffic laws, was driving while distracted, or was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Florida now follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which was updated in 2023. This means that if you’re found to be partially at fault for the bicycle accident injuries, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. The change in the law adds that you would not be able to seek compensation if you are found to be more than 50% at fault.

Demonstrating Causation of a Cycling Accident in Florida

You and your bicycle accident attorney must show that the other party’s negligence directly caused your injuries and damages. This involves several key steps and the collection of substantial evidence. An experienced Florida bike accident attorney can guide you through the legal process, help gather and present evidence to prove negligence and demonstrate causation, and advocate for your rights.

Bicycle Safety is a Concern for Cyclists and Motor Vehicle Operators in Florida

The cycling community has been actively involved in educating cyclists and drivers about bicycle safety and steps to ensure safer interaction on and around Florida’s roads, streets, and bike lanes. As a Jupiter-based law firm representing injured cyclists throughout Florida, we also stress the importance of drivers and bicyclists to act according to the duty of care they share for others in the street and in the bike lane.

Types of Cycling Accidents and How They Happen

Drivers and cyclists should watch out for the following common bicycle accident injury scenarios:

• Car door collisions: These typically involve parked cars and cyclists in the bike lane or street. Before opening a door along the street, drivers should carefully check mirrors and blind spots to determine whether a bicyclist, pedestrian, or other motor vehicle is in the vicinity or approaching from behind.
• Red light or stop sign bicycle accidents: There are several types of bike accidents that may occur around stop signs or red lights. Many times, bicyclists unexpectedly ride through intersections instead of cautiously scanning their surroundings to ensure it is safe to proceed. Meanwhile, drivers of motor vehicles might not notice bicyclists, or they may expect a cyclist to stop. Sometimes a car might fail to stop at a stop sign or stoplight, leading to bicycle accidents or even bicycle fatalities.
• Right of way accidents: These may involve failed communication or failure to see or acknowledge the other party, leading to bicycle crashes. Many times, negligent drivers do not look for bike riders when turning or changing lanes, which can lead to accidents involving serious injuries.
• Left hook: This happens when a left-turning vehicle fails to yield to an oncoming cyclist. Typically, the driver of the vehicle will be looking for larger vehicles and may fail to identify the bicycle rider. Cyclists need to be cautious of these driver tendencies when approaching intersections.
• Right hook: This involves the driver of a motor vehicle making a right turn in front of a cyclist they have recently passed. Drivers easily forget bicyclists after passing them, as they often are focused on the vehicular traffic around them and navigating such turns. For their own safety, bicyclists need to be aware of this and act accordingly when approaching areas where a vehicle beside or ahead of them may unexpectedly and negligently turn off to the right.
• T-bone bicycle crash accidents in which the bicyclist pulls out: In these accidents, the cyclist rides into the street from a perpendicular driveway or cross street, failing to yield to traffic. These incidents are commonly the fault of the cyclist.

Many bicycle accident cases involve variations of the above scenarios. Bicyclists should exercise care and utilize appropriate lights to help to prevent accidents, in addition to wearing protective gear such as bicycle helmets to minimize injury. However, driver negligence is often a significant factor in bicycle accidents and injuries, and our experienced bicycle accident lawyers at Britto & Herman are prepared to assess your bike crash case in a free case evaluation.

If you are an injured cyclist involved in a car accident or other motor vehicles in Florida, an experienced bike accident lawyer at our Jupiter-based law firm can handle communications with the insurance company and seek fair and appropriate compensation on your behalf under Florida bike law. We serve residents in all Florida counties.

Determining the Value of Your Florida Cycling Accident Case

The value of a bike accident case in Florida is determined by several factors. Each case is unique, but these are some of the key elements that can affect the amount of compensation you may be able to seek:

• Economic Damages: These are clearly-quantifiable costs caused by the accident. They include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage, such as repairs or replacement of your bicycle.
• Non-Economic Damages: These are intangible losses that do not have a specific monetary value but significantly impact your life. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. Our attorneys are experienced at determining an appropriate value for these losses.
• Credibility of Involved Parties: The credibility of the injured person, as well as other parties involved in the accident, can impact the case’s value. The consistency of accounts given about the accident and the reliability of any witnesses will affect assessments of credibility.
• Extent of Injuries: The nature and severity of your injuries play a significant role in determining the value of the case. More severe injuries typically lead to higher settlement amounts due to increased medical costs and potential long-term effects.
• Comparative Negligence: Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you’re found to be partially at fault for the accident, any compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. Further, you would not be able to recover compensation if you are determined to be over 50% at fault for the accident.
• Quality of Evidence: Strong evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and expert reports, can significantly increase the value of your claim. Your experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue evidence to support your claim.
• Statute of Limitations: In Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failing to file within this timeframe can significantly impact your ability to recover damages.

Given the complexity of these factors, it’s crucial to work with an experienced Florida bicycle accident lawyer. Your attorney can help you accurately assess the full scope of your damages and advocate for fair compensation.

How to Gather Evidence After a Florida Cycling Accident

Collecting solid evidence is crucial to building a strong personal injury claim after a Florida cycling accident. According to Florida law, evidence must demonstrate negligence or fault on the part of the responsible party.

The following are steps you can take to gather evidence after a cycling accident in Florida:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and well-being by seeking prompt medical treatment. Immediate medical evaluation not only encourages your well-being, but also creates crucial documentation of your injuries. Seek immediate medical attention after a bike accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Appropriate medical treatment is important for both your physical and financial recovery.
2. Document the Accident Scene: If possible, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, including your injuries, damage to your bicycle, any hazardous conditions, vehicle damage, or traffic signs that may have contributed to the accident.
3. Secure Witness Statements: Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Their statements can provide essential testimony to support your claim. Make sure to secure their contact information for future reference.
4. Secure a Police Report: Always report the accident to the police.  Your attorney can work with you to secure a copy of the police report. The report will contain valuable information, including the officer’s assessment of who was at fault.
5. Preserve Physical Evidence: Retain copies of medical records, police reports, and any other relevant documents. Additionally, keep your damaged cycling gear and any personal belongings as evidence.
6. Consult an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney: Contact Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. Our skilled bike accident attorneys will guide you through the evidence-gathering process, ensuring no crucial details are overlooked.

If you want to learn more about what to do after any type of crash, check out our blog: Three Things to Do After a Florida Car Accident

Why Hire a Lawyer After a Florida Cycling Accident?

Dealing with the aftermath of a Florida cycling accident can be overwhelming, especially while facing injuries and the legal complexities involved. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer from Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers can provide numerous benefits, including:

• Legal Knowledge and Experience: Our bicycle accident attorneys possess extensive knowledge of Florida personal injury law and will handle your case according to the state’s regulations.
• Thorough Investigation: We will conduct a comprehensive investigation, gathering essential evidence and consulting with accident reconstruction experts when necessary.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Our legal team will handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies to seek a fair settlement that covers your losses.
• Litigation Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our experienced trial lawyers will advocate for your rights in court, presenting a compelling case on your behalf.
• Peace of Mind: By entrusting your case to us, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal complexities and pursue the maximum compensation you need.

If you want to learn more about how personal injury lawyers are paid for their work, check out our blog entry here: Do I Have to Pay My Personal Injury Lawyer?

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Florida Bike Accident Attorney at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers in Jupiter, Florida

At Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers, we serve residents throughout all Florida counties. Our track record of successfully representing clients in Florida cycling accident cases demonstrates our unwavering dedication to seeking justice for bicycle accident victims. Call us today at (561) 835-5555(561) 835-5555 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case evaluation with a Florida bicycle injury attorney. Let us be your voice in the legal process.

Time is of the essence in bicycle accident cases, so don’t delay—reach out to Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers. We are here to provide you with support, navigate the legal process on your behalf, and protect your rights after a Florida cycling accident.

The Voice for Florida Injury Victims