Bicycle Accidents
Cycling has become a popular hobby for many people, especially in South Florida. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are common and can lead to serious consequences for riders who are victims in bicycle accidents.
Under Florida law, bicycles are considered as vehicles, and cyclists must follow the same traffic laws as drivers of other vehicles. Therefore, bicycle accidents are often handled in the same manner as a motor vehicle accident.
In accidents involving both a bicycle and a motor vehicle, an injured cyclist will be able to use PIP benefits. However, in an accident where there is no automobile involved, an injured cyclist would likely not be able to utilize no-fault PIP benefits. This is because most policies have specific exclusions for losses caused by non-automobile transportation devices.
In order to qualify for compensation beyond the $10,000 threshold, an injured cyclist must prove that a third party acted negligently, thereafter leading to injuries documented by medical care. Lawsuits involving bicycles often include the following:
Negligence against a vehicle driver for causing injuries which are severe, disabling or disfiguring
Negligence against road maintenance entities for defective road design, or for failure to maintain the roads
Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Failure to use the turn signal
Intoxicated driving
Failure to properly yield to oncoming traffic
Reckless driving
Driving through a red light or stop sign
Rear-ending the cyclist or side-swiping the cyclist
Failure to see the bicyclist approaching
Failure to check mirrors for the cyclist
Our experienced attorneys can help you to recover the following damages:
Past medical expenses
Future medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Loss of consortium
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, let us fight for you against big insurance companies, who will deny or downplay your injuries. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.