Winter Park Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Although children continue to enjoy riding bicycles, more and more adults are also now riding bicycles for exercise and fun as well as to save both money and the environment. In fact, over the past couple of decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of bicyclists in the United States, accompanied by a rise in the average age of riders. Florida’s warm weather and beautiful scenery are attractive to cyclists; however, Florida also holds the grim distinction of being the deadliest state for bicyclists. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Winter Park or are the surviving family member of someone who lost their life in a bicycle accident, you could be eligible to pursue compensation from the at-fault party (or parties) for the physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical expenses and other economic damages, or other losses you have experienced.
Victims of bicycle accidents frequently grapple with not only physical injuries and emotional trauma, but also financial hardships. When a bicycle accident results in fatal injuries, surviving family members must endure profound loss and often struggle financially as well. If the negligent or wrongful actions of another party (or parties) caused or contributed to a bicycle accident resulting in injury or death, a Winter Park bicycle accident lawyer at Bailey Fisher can help. Let us leverage our substantial experience, extensive resources, and steadfast commitment to ensure accountability for the at-fault parties and full and fair compensation for your pain, suffering, or loss. Contact the team at Bailey Fisher today by calling 407-628-2929 or submit our online form to find out how we can help you.
What Are Common Causes of Winter Park Bicycle Accidents?
Although bicycle usage among adults went through a steady decline throughout most of the last century, cycling is now becoming popular once again for adults. Unfortunately, there has been a corresponding increase in bicycle accident injuries and fatalities as well, with cycling fatalities increasing almost ten percent in one recent year. A variety of negligent conduct on the part of motorists may contribute to a Winter Park bicycle accident. Alcohol, for example, is a contributing factor in one out of every three bicycle accidents. Another common cause of bicycle accidents is failing to notice the presence of cyclists, despite monumental efforts aimed at drivers to encourage them to watch out for bicycles on the roadways.
What Are Some Common Winter Park Bicycle Accident Injuries?
When a bicycle is involved in a traffic crash with a motor vehicle, the bicyclist is at a clear disadvantage given the lack of protection offered by a bicycle. Consequently, a cyclist may suffer serious, life-altering injuries, including:
- Spinal cord injury
- Muscle, ligament, and tendon strains and sprains
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Soft tissue injuries
- Paralysis
- Bone fractures and breaks
- Road rash
- Disfigurement
- Loss of a limb
- Permanent scarring
- Emotional trauma
- Death
Does Florida Law Protect Bicycle Riders?
The rights and responsibilities conferred by law on bicycle riders in the State of Florida are predominantly governed by Florida Code Section 316.2065. For the most part, Florida law treats cyclists as if they were motorists, giving a bicycle rider both the same rights on the roadway as the operator of a motor vehicle and imposing many of the same responsibilities on a cyclist as those imposed on motorists. As such, bicycles must obey the same traffic signs and signals and follow the same road rules as cars and trucks. By the same token, if a motor vehicle had the right of way in a particular situation, so would a cyclist. By law, motorists are required to give cyclists the same deference they would for another vehicle and to yield the right-of-way to a bicycle if they did so for a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, not all motorists are aware of, or obey, the laws related to bicycles.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for a Winter Park Bicycle Accident?
If another party’s negligent conduct caused or contributed to a Winter Park bicycle accident that resulted in injury to you or a family member, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party (or parties). Negligence is a legal concept that refers to the breach of a duty of care owed to you by another party. A variety of conduct might be considered negligent in a bicycle accident, such as a motorist failing to recognize the presence of a bicycle, a motorist driving while under the influence or while distracted, or a motorist speeding or failing to yield.
As the victim of a Winter Park bicycle accident, you could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages from the party or parties who caused or contributed to the collision. Economic damages are intended to compensate a victim for the objective, out-of-pocket costs incurred because of the collision, while non-economic damages compensate a victim for the subjective injuries suffered as a result of the crash. Collectively, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical, hospital, and specialist expenses.
- The cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle.
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses.
- Past and future lost income.
- Disfigurement and scarring.
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering.
If you are the surviving spouse, parent, or child of someone who was fatally injured in a Winter Park bicycle accident, you may also be entitled to compensation in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit for things such as the loss of companionship, care, and support and the loss of future earnings.
Get Help from Experienced Winter Park Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a Winter Park bicycle accident, or you are the surviving loved one of someone who was fatally injured in one, the experienced Winter Park bicycle accident lawyers at Bailey Fisher Law are available to help you through the legal process to ensure that your rights are protected and that the at-fault party (or parties) is held accountable.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Winter Park bicycle accident lawyers will evaluate your case for free. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.