Collecting Compensation for Injuries Sustained in a Bicycle Accident
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2014, bicyclists accounted for around two percent of all traffic deaths and two percent of all crash-related injuries. Unfortunately, Florida has proven especially dangerous for cyclists as around 6,425 bicycle accidents occur across the state every year. These statistics are especially alarming because the injuries sustained by bicycle accident victims are often serious, and even deadly, so if you were injured in a bicycle collision with another driver and have questions about your own rights to compensation, it is crucial to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can address your concerns.
Bicycle Accident Scenarios
Collisions between bicyclists and drivers can occur at any time. However, the majority of accidents are the result of:
- A driver’s failure to obey traffic signals/traffic laws;
- A driver’s failure to check his or her blind spot prior to turning or changing lanes;
- Driving while intoxicated;
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes, cracked pavement, and crumbling asphalt; and
- Poor road design.
In some cases, it can be difficult to determine who caused an accident. For this reason, it is especially important for bicyclists who were injured in an accident to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can collect witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and other forms of evidence to demonstrate fault. Fortunately, even when a cyclist contributed to an accident, he or she can still collect compensation for any losses. This is because Florida follows the legal theory of pure comparative negligence, which means that injured parties who contributed to their accidents can still collect damages, although the amount will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Common Injuries
Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to injury in collisions with vehicles because they have little protection from direct impact with other objects and do not have access to seat belts and airbags. As a result, injuries suffered by bicyclists tend to be catastrophic and can include everything from broken bones and lacerations to spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. Treating these types of serious injuries can quickly drive an injured party into debt, as treatment often requires ongoing medical care, surgery, multiple doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy, and special medical devices. Fortunately, injured parties who can demonstrate that someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to their accident can collect damages to cover past and future medical expenses as well as lost wages.
Preventive Measures
Because bicycle accident injuries tend to be particularly severe, it is critical for cyclists to take precautionary measures when riding, which could include:
- Wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially at night;
- Installing a front headlight and a rear light on their bicycles;
- Staying off of sidewalks and inside the bike lane;
- Refraining from riding in inclement weather;
- Obeying all traffic laws; and
- Remaining vigilant for road defects.
It is also extremely important for drivers to carefully check their blind spots when turning or changing lanes and to check crosswalks and intersections before entering them.
Contact us Today to Consult With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Please contact Boone & Davis by calling 954-566-9919 for a free consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney today. We are eager to help you with your case.
Resource:
nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicyclists
