Your Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Clearwater, Florida

Bicyclists can be extremely vulnerable in a collision. Without the advantage of a roll cage, airbags and protective layers of steel that an automobile provides, serious injuries occur more frequently. Even the most experienced bicyclists while riding defensively, checking blind spots and obeying all traffic laws can be involved in serious bicycle crashes. To make matters worse some drivers don’t even notice that they hit a bicyclist and continue driving. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle crash, make sure your legal representation is an experienced bicycle accident lawyer.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Cycling is a common mode of transportation in Clearwater and bicycle accidents happen year round. Several factors can align to create the perfect conditions for bicycle accidents. Probably the most common is distracted motorists, making it critical for every cyclist to stay alert to avoid collisions and the injuries that accompany them. Knowing what to look out for can really help cyclists and motorists alike to avoid danger on the road.

A List Of The Most Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents.

• Distracted Driving – Distracted drivers often swerve into the bike lane.

• Failure to Check Blind Spots – A frequent occurrence while a motor vehicle makes a right right without signalling.

• Door Accidents – If a driver fails to check traffic before opening their door, this can result in the cyclist colliding with the car door as it opens.

• Drunk Driving – Drunk drivers can maneuver poorly and stray from their lane resulting in bike accidents.
• Sideswipes – When a driver fails to provide enough passing distance to a bicyclist, a collision with the vehicle’s mirror can occur.

Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Providing no protection to riders, bicycle accident victims usually suffer from multiple injuries from a crash. Often these injuries are severe and may result in a fatality. Below is a list of common bicycle accident injuries.

• Broken Bones – Gravity can be your enemy when you’re tossed through the air. Colliding with the ground, vehicles or other objects can result in fractured and broken bones.
• Death – with practically no protection at all, it’s no secret that many fatalities occur in biking accidents within the state of Florida. In fact, Florida leads the nation in cycling deaths.
• Road Rash – Even in the most minor of bicycle crashes, the rider usually contacts pavement and will get road rash.
• Spinal Cord Injury – Injuries to the spine are common when a car strikes a biker while riding.

Long Term Effects of Bicycle Accident Injuries

When involved in a car accident, a cyclist’s injuries can be rather severe. Permanent injuries can persist for many years after the accident. Serious permanent injuries are the reality of bicycle accident claims. Below is a list of the most common persistent issues.

• Loss of Income due to not being able to work
• Mental Impairment as a result of brain injuries and stress
• Chronic Pain from injuries after being hit by a car
• Financial Burden from rehabilitation and treatments
• Medical Bills from ongoing care and treatment

Ensuring every injury is accounted for after an accident is critical to getting the proper compensation for your injuries. Considering all of the long term effects that may be the result of an accident, if you were hit by a car while cycling, can you honestly afford to go without consulting an experienced bicycle accident lawyer?

Did you know? Florida has the highest number of cycling deaths per year. Over 16% of deaths nationwide involving bicycles occur in the state of Florida.

We Can Submit A Bicycle Accident Claim On Your Behalf

When you have been wrongly injured in a bicycle accident, we will submit your claim to the at fault party’s insurance company to start the process of negotiating your settlement with their adjusters and legal representatives. In most bicycle injury cases, we can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that is acceptable. In a few cases, the insurance company may refuse to negotiate with us and in that case, we can file a lawsuit to collect damages.

If the need to file a lawsuit occurs, we will proceed to prepare your case for trial consulting with our team of safety experts, medical professionals and those that can help us reconstruct the details of your accident.

During that time, we are here to walk you through the legal process and answer any questions you may have. We are also here to help you obtain the resources you need for a successful recovery. At the Law Office of Teresa P. Williams, we are here in your corner and will work to help you get the best outcome for your case.

How Do You Know Who Is At Fault?

While many bicycle accident cases are the result of negligent drivers, cyclists can also bear the responsibility as the at fault party. Our legal team and accident reconstruction experts will carefully analyze the details of your case and can determine who is the at fault party in your accident. To prove fault, we work to  demonstrate that the care owed to others on the road was violated by the driver at the time of the accident and their negligence contributed to your injuries.

A driver is required to operate a vehicle in a defensive nature, thus owing others, such as pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles a level of care on the road that allows them to avoid accidents. If it is shown that the driver violated that agreement by texting while driving, for example, then they may be legally liable for the damages that occurred in the accident.

In the state of Florida, insurance companies can try to prove that the cyclist is partially responsible for the accident by riding carelessly outside a bike lane, for example. Depending on what percentage they can prove the cyclist was at fault, the victim may only get a portion of the settlement. For instance, if the judgment is for $100,000 and it is determined the cyclist was 15% at fault, then they are awarded $85,000 as a settlement. This is called comparative negligence.

Consider Teresa P. Williams as Your Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Teresa P. Williams has lived and worked in Clearwater for over 30 years. If you have been injured while riding your bike, you owe it to yourself to have a quick call with Teresa to get a better understanding of your injury case. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is one of the best decisions you can make to protect yourself after an accident.

If you think you have a bicycle accident case, call us at (727) 796-2706 for a free case evaluation or contact us through the website here.