With warm and sunny weather nearly every day, Florida is a popular place for bicycling. Unfortunately, accidents involving bicycles and cars are also common. Collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles may result from the negligence of drivers who are distracted or careless, who do not follow the rules of the road, or who fail to yield the right-of-way to cyclists.
Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries that can have long-lasting effects, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and injuries to the back, neck, face, mouth, and internal organs. Those injuries can lead to high medical bills and lost wages and can dramatically impact quality of life for victims and their families. In some cases, bicycle accidents can cause the death of a cyclist, which can devastate a family, both emotionally and financially.
If you or a loved one was riding a bicycle and became injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages, and other related expenses.
Florida Law Regarding Insurance Coverage for Motor Vehicle Accidents
Per Sect. 627.736 of the Florida Statutes, Florida law requires drivers to carry personal injury protection coverage that will pay for medical bills for injuries to the named insured, members of the same household, someone driving the car, and passengers, as well as “other persons struck by the motor vehicle and suffering bodily injury while not an occupant of a self-propelled vehicle.”
According to Sect. 324.021 of the Florida Statutes, Florida state law requires drivers to carry proof of financial responsibility for at least $10,000 to cover bodily injury or death to one person and $20,000 for bodily injury or death to two or more people, as well as $10,000 for property damage, if the driver is found liable for an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Delray Beach, call 800-761-5225
Compensation for Injuries Caused in a Bicycle Accident
If you or a loved one were injured while riding a bicycle, the driver’s personal injury protection coverage may pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other associated expenses. However, cyclists who are struck by motor vehicles often experience injuries and related costs that far exceed the minimum amounts of personal injury protection required by law.
In that case, an injured party may be able to recover damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. If a cyclist died as a result of an accident, family members may be able to seek financial compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
A Delray Beach bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help you and your family if you have suffered as a result of a cycling accident involving a motor vehicle. The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf to seek compensation. Contact us at 800-761-5225 to talk to a member of our team.
Delray Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident While Biking
If you are riding a bicycle and you get involved in an accident with a car, what you do immediately following the accident may affect your legal options later. Contact the police to report the accident. Even if you do not think you are injured, some types of injuries, particularly those to the back and neck, are often not felt right away.
Filing a police report will help you if you have injuries and you later decide to file a lawsuit. The police report will include statements from you, the driver, and any witnesses. It may also include the police officer’s findings on who was responsible for the accident and will state whether the officer cited any party involved. That information can be valuable if you decide to take legal action.
Road conditions can change quickly due to vehicles, weather, construction, and other causes. If possible, take photos of the accident scene immediately after the crash. Also, take photos of your injuries and damage to your bicycle.
Even if your bicycle appears fine, there may be damage that would only be visible to a professional. Until your bicycle is inspected, keep it in a safe place where it cannot be further damaged by weather or other factors. That will help you avoid a dispute about the cause of any damage that may be found.
Do not get your bicycle repaired or wash your clothes right away. They might be needed as evidence to resolve any questions surrounding the facts of the case and to determine who was at fault.
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How a Delray Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer May Help You Seek Justice
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can listen to your story and conduct a thorough investigation to understand exactly what happened that led to the accident. For example, we may ask about:
- The direction(s) you and the driver were traveling
- How fast each party was traveling
- Who had the right of way
- Weather conditions at the time of the accident
- The time of day
- Any unsafe conditions that may have contributed to the accident, such as a wet road, sand, or a pothole
- Whether the driver seemed to be intoxicated
- Any other factors that you or witnesses noted that may have played a role in the accident, such as something blocking your or the driver’s vision or a driver who was talking on a cell phone or texting
- Whether the driver admitted fault
- Whether the driver fled or attempted to flee the scene of the accident
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Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Delray Beach
A bicycle accident can result in devastating injuries that can have far-reaching effects on victims and their loved ones. You or your family may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Under Sect. 95.11 of the Florida Statutes, the statute of limitations to file an action for injuries based on negligence is four years, and the statute of limitations for wrongful death is two years. Investigating a bicycle accident may be a complex and time-consuming process. The sooner you contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, the sooner we will be able to begin gathering information and interviewing witnesses. Call our office at 800-761-5225 to talk to a member of our team.
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