Have you been seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Florida? We understand that you might have a lot of questions about how these cases work, and we want to assure you that we are on your side. We are sorry that you have had to deal with this accident as it has likely been extremely taxing on you. Our Miami bicycle accident lawyer wants to help you during this time.
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People everywhere, and especially in South Florida, choose to ride their bikes for many personal reasons, like being able to enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and exercise that comes with this inexpensive mode of transportation on roadways, sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike paths. Many people who have shorter commutes prefer bicycles or e-bikes (or even scooters) over passenger vehicles, because they are able to save on rising fuel prices with fewer maintenance hassles. Individuals looking to make wiser environmental decisions like to ride bicycles or e-bikes to lower their carbon footprint and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
Whatever reason you are choosing to ride a bicycle/e-bike/scooter/moped, you must always remember that you share the road with vehicles that are heavier, faster, and capable of creating severe injuries if a bicycle accident were to occur. Bicycles are required to follow all the same rules of the road as everyone else – we think the thought behind it is so that all rules apply evenly to the general public.
Unfortunately, accidents happen every day in Broward County, and bicycles are no exception. You can do your best to make yourself clearly visible to other vehicles on the road and follow traffic laws carefully, but you still may face a bicycle accident. In areas like Miami Dade County, there is high traffic congestion and many roadside distractions, so it is crucial that you are that much more careful. If another driver’s carelessness or negligence has caused you injuries in a bicycle accident, then you are entitled to seek compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.
Have you or someone you love been injured in a bike accident in Miami? Contact an accident injury attorney today to protect your legal rights.
How Florida Law Protects Bicycle Riders
Florida laws and safety tips are there to protect its residents in both vehicles and on bicycles. Florida may not have a mandate for helmets, but it is always a wise safety decision for riders to wear approved safety helmets.
Typically, large vehicles create the largest threat to a bike rider on the road. If a driver causes injuries to a bicycle rider in a truck accident, then they legally must cover the injuries and damages the victim incurred due to the driver’s negligence. Our Miami bicycle accident lawyer is here to help guide you through this difficult situation and fight to get you the highest compensation possible.
A few of the laws all motorists and bicyclists in Florida must be aware of include:
- Any driver that is driving near a bicyclist must exercise the standard duty of care.
- When passing a bicyclist, the passing drivers should do so at a safe distance, passing to the bicyclist’s left side (when traveling in the same direction) and at least 3 feet away.
- When opening a motor vehicle door, drivers should be cautious that there is no bicyclist nearby.
- Marked lanes are created for Miami bicyclists only, and automobile drivers should never operate their motorized vehicles through or park their cars on bike lanes.
Bicyclists are at higher risks of suffering severe and life-threatening injuries because the whole body of the person riding is exposed. It is crucial that drivers and bicyclists follow these Florida laws so that bikers can avoid accidents, causing catastrophic injuries.
Common Injuries Related to Bike Accidents
There are a variety of bicycle accident injuries that can occur in a crash. Some of the more common personal injuries can include:
- Face injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck, head, and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Severe abrasions, scrapes, and cuts
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Paralysis
- Brain injury
- Road rash
- Wrongful Death
Medical treatment for a serious injury can be painful, time-consuming, and incredibly costly. Sadly, many Miami Beach bicycle crash victims end up with permanent impairments and disabilities that make it difficult to return to the normal daily lives that they enjoyed before the accident.
Bicycle Accident Compensation for Victims
Miami bicycle accident attorneys will help you seek compensation for any accident-related damages and injuries by filing a personal injury lawsuit. These include both the economic and non-economic damages you incurred in the car accident.
A few examples of the damages your attorney will seek for bike accidents include the following:
- Hospital and ambulance fees
- Emergency medical treatment
- Lost income and wages, as well as future earnings
- Reduced earning ability
- Rehabilitation
- Current and future medical expenses
- Ongoing costs for physical therapy
- Mental health treatment
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Emotional distress
- In-home care and assistance
- Mental and physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
At Nunez Law P.L., our Miami bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to helping recover compensation their clients deserve. Our job is to ensure the negligent party is held responsible and brought to justice.
Negligence Leading to Compensation Recovery
Our Miami bicycle accident attorney works tirelessly for bike accident victims to prove the negligent driver of the car or truck created the injuries of their clients.
A few examples of negligence that can cause serious injuries to bicycle accident victims include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Improperly maintained roads
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Following too closely to the bicycle rider
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Defective bicycle design or manufacturing flaws
- Not obeying stop signs or lights
If a truck driver or passenger vehicle driver fails to operate their vehicle in an appropriate manner, leading to fatal injuries of a family member, a Miami bicycle accident attorney can help you seek justice for the wrongful death of your loved one.
What Is a Miami Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Each personal injury case is very unique and is evaluated based on its specific circumstances. Most bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area result in high payout settlements due to the severity of the injuries sustained.
When estimating the value of a personal injury case, our Miami bicycle accident attorney will consider the following:
- What percentage of fault can genuinely be put on the person making the claim?
- Did the bike riders contribute to the bike accident or fail to mitigate any of their damages?
- What is the full value of the economic losses, both current and future?
- What types of injuries did the bicyclist sustain, and to what severity?
- How will the crash affect the daily life, hobbies, ability to work, quality of life, and health of the bicyclist?
- How much available insurance coverage is there?
There are several factors that are important in bicycle accidents. Contact Nunez Law P.L. for a free initial consultation if a careless driver in south Florida harmed you while on a bicycle.
How Can a Miami Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Our experienced legal team knows how to handle insurance companies and negotiate a fair settlement for injured bicycle riders. There are many crucial ways a Miami bicycle accident attorney with Nunez Law P.L. can help; our lawyers can:
- Gather the necessary evidence to prove who is to blame for the bicycle accident
- Help you file your personal injury lawsuit within the statute of limitations (permitted timeline to file)
- Obtain critical information and evidence and subpoena witnesses prior to any injury claims going to court
- Build a solid case and prove in court that the negligent driver should be held liable for paying your damages
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company, getting you the money needed to support yourself, pay your medical bills, and move on with your life
- If a settlement cannot be made, we will bring the lawsuit before a jury to let them come to a fair jury verdict
West Palm Beach motor vehicle crashes cause severe injuries to bike riders, and your rights are important. Your Miami bicycle accident attorney is with you every step of the way, ensuring your best interests are met and working to get you maximum compensation for the given circumstances of your claim.
How Long After a Bicycle Accident Can You File a Lawsuit?
In the majority of personal injury cases in Miami, Florida, the statute of limitation is two (2) years. That means that a bicycle accident injury victim has two (2) years from the incident date (in most cases) to bring a bicycle accident lawsuit. If you do not file right away and wait too long, the statute of limitations will expire, and the court will throw out your case. This means you will have lost the opportunity to recover compensation for your bicycle accident injuries and damages.
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation With Our Miami Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been harmed in Miami while riding a bicycle due to a reckless driver, let our experienced and dedicated Miami bicycle accident lawyer get the help you need to put the pieces of your life back together. Personal injury lawyer Bobby Nunez and his skilled legal team is available to help with all aspects of your recovery- emotionally, medically, legally, and financially.
Our understanding and caring office staff can help you schedule a free evaluation to discuss the circumstances of your bicycle accident claim. If you would prefer, you may contact us via our secure online form today so that we may begin building a solid case to get you maximum compensation for your bicycle accident injuries.