Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa Bay

Were You Hit by a Car on a Bike?  Call Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa Bay, Florida

Bicycle accidents often cause disabling and long-lasting injuries, some which are permanent.  Unfortunately, our bicycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay know that bicycle accidents can also cause the wrongful death of a loved one.  According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each year almost 1,000 cyclists are killed and almost another 55,000 are seriously injured in bicycle accidents in the United States.  Although the Sunshine State’s warmer weather and near-perfect riding conditions makes this a great state to bike in, we are sadly the deadliest state for bicycle accidents.  According to statistics from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), bicyclists account for almost 170 fatalities, almost 800 incapacitating injuries, and nearly 2,600 other injuries each year.  These are shocking statistics as they lead the country in every category.

Here at Dumas & Sanclemente, our personal injury law firm in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida is dedicated to helping victims and their families recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering after any type of injury-causing accidents.  This includes catastrophic and tragic bicycle accidents in Florida. We offer FREE case evaluations and we only get paid after you get paid in a settlement, verdict, award, or another type of recover.  This means there is no upfront cost or financial risk to begin working with our experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay.  To learn more about how we can help you, call our bodily injury law firm today to schedule a FREE consultation.https://www.dsinjury.com/personal-injury/motor-vehicle-accidents/

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Florida

While bicycle riding is an excellent form of exercise as well as a great form of transportation and recreation, biking carries risks to the cyclist. With Florida’s beautiful weather encouraging many residents and visitors to use this form of transportation, Florida also has the highest number of bicycle deaths each year. There are many different causes of bicycle accidents in Florida, with many of them being preventable. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Florida includes the following:

• Distracted driving – this includes texting or using a mobile phone to talk, fiddling with the radio, eating or drinking, reading billboards or looking at other distractions, reaching for something in the car, or many other actions that constitute as distracted driving. Distracted driving commonly contributes to biking accidents as drivers do not see cyclists on the road, leading to a collision.
• Failure to stop at a stop sign – All drivers know that stopping at stop signs is not an option, yet far too many drivers fail to stop at stop signs, or will only partially stop. This is referred to as a rolling stop. Failure to stop at a stop sign can lead to biking accidents if the driver does not see the biker, or the biker sees that the driver is supposed to stop at the stop sign and decides to ride across the road, only to be hit by the drive because they chose not to stop.
• Failure to stop at a red light – The green light red light system is in place for a reason. When drivers fail to stop at red lights, they place bicyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers at great risk for harm. Some drivers choose to speed up to try to miss stopping at a red light, causing serious or even fatal harm to bicyclists if a collision occurs.
• Careless driving – Failing to be aware of your surroundings, speeding, or other negligent actions can place people biking at great risk for injury.
• Failure to yield – Drivers often are not aware that they are supposed to yield to bicyclists. Not only that, but failure to yield accidents can also occur when a driver is aggressively driving or speeding.
• Opening a door without checking for oncoming cyclists – If a driver opens their door without checking for oncoming cyclists, the cyclists can be seriously injured.

Common Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents in the Tampa Bay Area

Given that bicyclists have little protection with the exception of a helmet, if a car collides with a cyclist the chance for injury is great. While some victims of bicycle accidents suffer little harm, not all are as fortunate. As mentioned above, Florida has the highest number of bicycle deaths each year. Some of the most common injuries that are caused by bicycle accidents include the following:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis (i.e. quadriplegia, paraplegia, etc.)
• Internal organ damage
• Face or eye injuries
• Dental injuries
• Lung puncture
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation or loss of limb
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head trauma
• Wrongful death
• Knee or hip injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Neck or back injuries, and
• Other injuries caused by bicycle accidents in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida.

Liability for Bicycle Accidents in Florida

While there are certain situations in which bicyclists may be partially or fully to blame for an accident, often times the driver of the motor vehicle is to blame. That being said, bicycles are considered to be a vehicle, and liability typically comes down to who had the right of way at the time. This obviously only applies to certain situations, such as accidents at intersections. For accidents involving distracted drivers, drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, or opening their door without checking for oncoming cyclists, the driver is often to blame. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay will work to help prove that the other driver was at fault for your injuries and recover you the compensation that you deserve.

Damages for Bicycle Accident Victims in Florida

Victims and their loved ones who are injured in a bicycle accident due to negligence or recklessness may be eligible for something called damages. Damages are intended to compensate a victim or their family members for any injuries or financial losses that they sustain as a result of someone else’s negligence – including a person, business, or government entity. Damages are typically awarded to victims in the form of monetary compensation. Some of the most common damages awarded to bicyclists and their families include the following:

• Physical pain and suffering (past and future)
• Loss of consortium – This includes loss of relations with a spouse, loss of society, etc.
• Emotional pain and suffering (past and future)
• Medical bills (past and future)
• Coverage for assistive devices
• Nursing care
• Rehabilitation therapy
• Vehicle or home modifications
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Punitive damages
• Property damage, and
• Other damages for victims injured in a bicycle accident in the Tampa Bay Area.

Call Our Bicycle Accident in Tampa Bay After Being Hit by a Car

Being involved in a bicycle accident can be frightening. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, your focus may just be on your recovery. The unfortunate truth however is that victims of bicycle accidents often suffer long-term from any injuries sustained. Not only that, victims often face serious financial losses, especially if their injuries force them to be out of work for a prolonged period of time, or if their injuries force them to choose a different career entirely.

We will work to recover you the full amount of compensation that you are eligible for.

If a bicycle accident was catastrophic and fatal, the wrongful death of a loved one due to a bicycle accident is obviously devastating. While the emotional effects of such an event is catastrophic, you are also forced to face all financial burden as a result of the loss of your loved one. We will work with you to recover compensation for any current and future financial losses that you suffer as a result of your loved one’s death, and any damages that you may be eligible for on behalf of your loved one, such as pain and suffering.

Call our experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Tampa Bay at Dumas & Sanclemente to schedule a FREE consultation to learn how we can help you by dialing 866-832-1569 or by sending us a private message on our “Contact Us” box available here.  We are here to help and can explain what your legal rights and remedies may be under Florida law.