Florida is one of the most popular states for bicycling in the country. When you’re hurt in a bicycle accident, you may be able to recover damages. An experienced Gainesville bicycle accident lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. can fight to get the full compensation you deserve.
Are you interested in learning more? Call our law offices to schedule your free consultation today.
Why You Should Choose Allen Law Firm, P.A. to Handle Your Gainesville Bicycle Accident Claim
Bicycling in any Florida city can be risky. Our streets were not initially built to allow bicyclists to safely share the roads with fast-moving motor vehicles. People nowadays are distracted and in a hurry–and often don’t take the time to watch for bicycles sharing the roads.
Unfortunately, even a “minor” bicycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries to the bicyclist. If you’re hurt in a car accident, you have a steel frame and safety features to protect you. Bicycle riders often have little more than a helmet.
Fighting with insurance companies is the last thing you need while you recover. Asking for legal help gives you time to get better. It also levels the playing field.
You should choose an experienced Gainesville personal injury lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. because:
- The insurance company has seemingly limitless resources and will do everything they can to reduce your compensation award
- Multiple parties might be responsible for your bicycle accident, and we know how to identify each and every one
- Sometimes the responsible party tries to blame the victim for the crash–even if you were on a bicycle at the time
- It’s hard to know what your case is worth and our lawyers have relationships with respected experts who can provide insight and evidence
Negotiating with the insurance company can be intimidating and overwhelming. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we have seven former insurance adjusters on our staff. We’re deeply familiar with the tactics insurance companies use to prevent accident victims from getting what they deserve. We have years of experience playing for the other team–and we’ll use that to your advantage.
We’ve already recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our injured clients. Call us today to learn more about how establishing an attorney-client relationship can help with your injury case.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has put a strong effort into making the roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Gainesville alone boasts more than 241 miles of dedicated bike trails. Despite this, bicycle accidents are on the rise across North Central Florida.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Bicycle Traffic Safety Facts report shows that in Florida, 161 bicyclists died in fatal accidents in 2018 alone. 141 of those fatalities were caused by a crash with a motor vehicle.
Deaths among Florida bicyclists aged 20 and over have tripled since 1975. According to AAA reports, Florida is now the most dangerous state in the nation to ride a bike.
Leading Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Florida
Bicyclists are often victim to the same types of driving behaviors that cause any other type of motor vehicle accident. Some of the most common causes of bike accidents in Gainesville involve negligence on the part of the driver.
They include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Failure to properly judge distances or the bicyclist’s speed
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal or unsafe turns
- Road rage
- Fatigued driving
- Drug use
Distracted driving accidents often involve bicyclists because drivers simply aren’t watching out for bicycles. Hazardous and poorly designed roads can also play a substantial role in causing bicycle accidents in Florida. Local transportation authorities might even share the blame after an accident.
Who is Responsible For Paying Damages After a Bicycle Accident?
All parties who contributed to the accident can be on the hook for damages. Responsible parties may include:
- The at-fault driver
- The employer of a negligent driver
- Bus drivers
- Other bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Government agencies
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle part
Our lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. will conduct a detailed investigation to identify every responsible party–so that you can get the most possible compensation for your injuries.
What Common Types of Injuries Do Bicycle Accidents Cause?
Most serious bicycle accidents involve a car, truck, or some other type of motor vehicle. The difference in the size, weight, and speed of these vehicles often increase the severity of the bike rider’s injuries. Many victims sustain multiple serious injuries–and healing takes time and money.
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we fight to get full compensation for all of your injuries after a crash. Some common bicycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Back injuries
- Road rash or burns
- Traumatic amputations
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Even when a bicycle accident occurs at a relatively low speed, you can be seriously hurt. In addition to lack of physical protection, the infrastructure of the roads can also increase the risk of sustaining serious injuries.
Bicycle accident victims are often thrown into the road, where they can be struck again by a moving vehicle. In other cases, you might suffer one initial impact with the vehicle only to be thrown to the pavement for a second impact.
Statute of Limitations on Florida Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
Money might not be the first thing on your mind right now. If you’re seriously hurt, you might quickly find yourself worried about finances in addition to your health. Don’t hesitate to call an experienced personal injury lawyer right away.
Under Florida law, the statute of limitations to file a bicycle accident lawsuit is four years. If you lost a loved one, you have two years from the date of their death to sue for wrongful death.
What if the Insurance Company Blames Me For the Accident?
Drivers aren’t the only ones who can be responsible for a bicycle accident. If you were seriously hurt, you can expect the insurance company to launch their own investigation into the crash. They’ll be looking for evidence that proves you did something to cause the accident.
Cyclists can contribute to the cause of an accident in Florida by:
- Failing to use proper reflectors or lights
- Failing to ride in an available bicycle lane
- Riding while distracted
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Failing to yield
- Improperly crossing at an intersection
- Failure to follow Florida bicycle regulations
Even if your actions did play a role in the accident, you shouldn’t give up hope. Florida is a pure comparative fault state. That means every party’s shared responsibility is taken into account in determining who is entitled to damages.
In other words, as long as someone else is at least partly to blame for the accident, you have a right to recover compensation for your injuries. It’s possible that you could also be held liable for another injured party’s damages.
Cases involving shared fault are often hotly contested. Having an experienced Gainesville bicycle accident attorney in your corner is the best way to make sure your rights are protected.
Damages Available to Gainesville, FL Bicycle Accident Victims
The costs of a serious bicycle accident injury can be shocking. Even if you’re covered under a Florida no-fault insurance policy, you could be stuck with medical bills that you’re unable to pay–especially if you can’t work after the accident. Bicycle accident victims often make the mistake of underestimating these costs.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Allen Law Firm, P.A. take the time to ensure you understand your legal rights. We’ll fight to get the full amount of money you’re entitled to if you were injured in a bicycle accident.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit after a bicycle accident can help you get money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Long-term care
- Nursing care
- Chronic pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Damages for wrongful death
Our lawyers will make an aggressive injury claim that’s supported by evidence that will stand up in court. We know what the insurance company is looking for–and we know how to build a strong case on your behalf.
If you’re ready to learn more about how we can put decades of legal experience to work for you, don’t wait another minute. Contact our law firm to set up your free consultation today.
Call an Experienced Gainesville Bicycle Accident Lawyer To Get Started Today
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident, don’t expect the insurance company to simply offer you a check. You should be skeptical if they do. You have to fight for what you deserve. The best way to ensure a fair fight is to hire an experienced Gainesville bicycle accident lawyer.
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., our lawyers are here to sit down with you and explain your options. If you hire us, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. Ready to get started? Call our offices to schedule a free initial consultation today.
