Were you recently injured in a bicycle accident in Fort Pierce, FL? Our experienced Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (772) 979-6626 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Fort Pierce, FL law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your bicycle accident. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your bicycle accident case today.
Were You Injured In A Bicycle Accident In Fort Pierce?
People enjoy bike riding in Florida all year round. However, during the pandemic, the state saw more bicyclists than ever. As gyms, sports, and activity centers were shut down because of COVID-19 cases, people began looking for ways to exercise outdoors. Hence, bicycling increased massively, leading to a soaring increase in the number of bicycle accidents. If you or a loved one becomes injured while riding a bicycle speak with our Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyer today to discuss your accident details.
According to a study, approximately 675 cyclists died in accidents during 2020, and hit-and-run accidents caused nearly ¼ of the bicycle fatalities. Other findings showed that:
- Among the top five deadliest states for cyclists in terms of total fatalities were Florida, New York, California, and Texas. Florida and California had the most cycling deaths per million people.
- The highest number of cyclist deaths was recorded in July, with 84 fatalities.
- Unfortunately, in the last decade, bicycle accidents have increased by approximately 37%
Bicycle accidents are more dangerous compared to automobile accidents because bicycles offer less protection. Even the most cautious and well-geared bicyclists can suffer from severe injuries and deaths when they get hit by negligent motorists and semi-truck drivers.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident caused by the negligence or carelessness of another party, seek legal representation from our experienced Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyer. We can provide you with a clear understanding of your legal rights and step-by-step assistance with the compensation claim.
At Shiner Law Group, our Fort Pierce bicycle accident attorney is strongly committed to getting you justice and the compensation you are entitled to for the injuries, pain, and suffering caused by the other party’s negligence. With us, you don’t have to worry about legal charges because we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you pay nothing unless we get you compensated.
Call us today to discuss your case. We have the experience and expertise to handle all types of bicycle accidents in Fort Pierce, Florida. We can serve as a strong advocate for your compensation.
The Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Fort Pierce
Understanding the causes of bicycle accidents is the first step to determining whether the accident occurred due to the other party’s negligence and how they breached their duty of care towards you.
Though bicycle accidents can occur due to many reasons, the top causes that may qualify for a compensation claim in Fort Pierce, Florida, and prove that the driver who hit you was negligent include the following:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of most vehicle accidents, including bicycle crashes. When drivers pay attention to their mobile phones instead of keeping their eyes on the road and focusing on moving vehicles, the danger of collision increases significantly.
Common forms of distractions include texting, calling, taking phone calls, using social media, or reading emails on the phone. All these activities lower the driver’s visual, manual and cognitive driving abilities. They fail to act responsively on the road, so accidents become inevitable.
Not Providing Adequate Buffer to the Cyclists
Sometimes automobile drivers follow cyclists too closely and pass within less than 3ft of a cyclist, creating extremely dangerous situations as they are likely to collide and hit cyclists, causing severe injuries.
Speeding
When a speeding vehicle collides with a cyclist, it can throw them off their bikes, cause severe injuries, and even result in death. Statistics show that a cyclist is 11 times more at risk of a fatal accident with a car speeding above 40 mph and approximately 16 times more at risk of death if they collide with a car moving at 50 mph.
Though high-speed accidents are more likely to cause severe and life-threatening injuries, even accidents at relatively low speeds can be dangerous for bicyclists.
Maneuvering Through Traffic
Some automobile drivers have a habit of maneuvering through heavy traffic. Weaving through traffic can often drift them outside the traffic lanes and onto bike lanes which puts cyclists at risk of collisions.
Moreover, even if they don’t maneuver through, making a single unsafe lane change can be dangerous and show drivers’ carelessness to adhere to their duty of care towards bicyclists.
Turning at the Intersection without Looking
Drivers have the responsibility to check for pedestrians and cyclists before they turn at the intersection. However, many seem to breach this when they have a green light to turn. Hence, many bicyclists suffer from injuries at intersections because of the negligence of automobile drivers.
Failing to Follow the Traffic Rules
Speeding and aggressive drivers often run stop signs and red lights, especially in neighborhoods and suburban areas. Although running stop signs and breaking traffic rules are dangerous, the risk is magnified when automobile drivers fail to look for bicyclists in their way.
Failure to Yield
Another form of reckless and negligent driving is the failure to yield. There are many locations where automobile drivers are responsible for yielding to the oncoming traffic, including bicyclists such as roundabouts and merging lanes at the intersections. Failure to yield poses the risk of accidents that are most often deadly for bicyclists.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is highly dangerous for everyone sharing the road with such a driver. This is because alcohol and drugs lower the ability of the driver to make timely judgments and react fast; hence collisions become inevitable.
Driver Fatigue
This issue is a serious problem among truck drivers. To meet pressing deadlines, drivers violate rules and work for more hours than they are allowed to. Besides lengthy work hours, mental and physical exertion and inadequate sleep lead to driver’s fatigue.
As they continue to work without proper rest and sleep, accidents are bound to happen. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 20 percent of drivers admit falling asleep behind the wheel. Plus, you are 3 times more likely to be in a crash if you are fatigued.
Schedule a free and no-obligation consultation with our experienced Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyer today if you have been injured in a bicycle accident due to the above reasons. Our attorney will investigate your case in-depth and provide you with the best legal action to help you get fairly compensated for the losses and injuries you have incurred due to the other driver’s negligence.
Bicycle Accidents in Fort Pierce—Severity of Injuries
The severity of injuries to the cyclist is high in a roadside accident for many reasons.
A major reason is that they don’t have proper protection surrounding them (like you have in a car or truck) that can provide a barrier or buffer from the impact of a collision.
Moreover, cars and trucks weigh several thousand pounds, while a bike’s average weighs only 20 pounds. A specialty bike, on the other hand, weighs even less. Therefore, when a bicyclist gets hit by a car or truck, they get thrown off to a far distance, which poses the risk of head injuries, especially if they hit the pavement, a billboard, or any structure nearby.
- Amputations
- Fractured bones
- Brain injuries
- Dental damage
- Facial injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Road rash
- Whiplash
- Spinal damage
Unfortunately, most of the injuries listed above leave the victims with long-term recovery needs and sometimes even cause them permanent disabilities. Apart from the pain and suffering, victims of bicycle accidents have to cope with:
- Extensive medical treatment bills
- Lost wages due to absence from work
- Physical limitation
Indeed, the physical, financial, and emotional losses caused to a bicyclist due to the negligence of a motorist can be devastating. This is where our seasoned and compassionate lawyer for a bicycle accident in Fort Pierce can assist you.
We will fight your case relentlessly, ensuring that you get fully compensated for injuries and losses sustained. At Shiner Law Group, we never settle for a low-ball settlement offer. In such a scenario, we are ready to take the case for trial.
Fort Pierce Bicycle Accident Attorney Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by bicycle accident victims and their families to our Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyer. Take a look; to find answers to your questions. speak with a Fort Pierce bicycle accident attorney right away if you need more information. We are at your assistance 24/7 to discuss your case details.
What is the Florida Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident?
The Florida statute of limitations for a bicycle accident in Florida is two years from the accident date. Please note that you must file a claim in two years to get your loved one justice if you have a wrongful death case.
What if the bicycle accident in Florida involves a governmental entity?
Under Florida Statute Section 768.28(6)(a), you can file a bicycle accident negligence claim against a governmental entity within 3 years from the accident date. If you miss your statute of limitation deadline, you will lose your right to compensation as the court may dismiss your case.
What steps do you take right after a bicycle accident in Fort Pierce?
When injured in a bicycle accident, call 911 for medical assistance. If you are in a position to document the accident scene, then make sure to take photos of vehicle positions and damages to your bicycle, traffic controls, weather, and road conditions while you wait for medical aid. Next, contact our Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyer for case representation.
How is the bicycle accident liability determined?
The liability in a bicycle accident is mostly determined by looking at different pieces of evidence and answering a question like:
- How the accident occurred
- Who was at fault for the accident
- Whether any party involved in the accident was cited for criminal offense or traffic violation.
Do I have to prove negligence?
Yes. The injured plaintiff in a bicycle accident bears the burden of proving the defendant’s negligence was the cause of the bicycle accident. You need to prove that the defendant violated the traffic rule or breached your duty of care.
However, this is easier said than done unless you have an expert representing your case. Our lawyer can gather the necessary evidence on your behalf to prove reckless misconduct of the defendant, such as:
- Obtain traffic camera footage
- Collect medical and police reports,
- Speak with witnesses
- Work with an accident reconstructionist to build a claim and get you fairly compensated.
What supporting documents do I need to file a bicycle accident case?
To file a successful bicycle accident claim, you must provide supporting documents that show you have incurred compensable damages. These include documents like:
- Medical records for treatment
- Bills and invoices
- Paystubs to establish your lost wages
What amount can I recover in damages incurred?
The amount of compensation depends on the losses incurred. Hence, it is variable from case to case. However, with our experienced lawyer by your side, we assure you that we will get you the maximum amount of compensation that you rightfully deserve.
What do bicycle accident settlements in Florida cover?
Settlements can provide you compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost earning capacity (this may happen due to a permanent disability after the accident)
- Emotional distress damages
- Future treatment cost
How do we calculate pain and suffering in a bicycle accident case?
The pain and suffering are mostly factored in according to the permanency and severity of the injuries incurred by the victim. Insurance companies usually determine it by multiplying the victim’s medical expenses. Hence the more long-lasting and severe your injuries are, the higher multiple shall be used to determine the compensation amount you are entitled to. However, this is variable from one insurance provider to the other.
Fort Pierce Bicycle Accident Lawyer Review
Fort Pierce Bicycle Injury Law Office
Shiner Law Group
531 S US Hwy 1, Building A STE D
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
