According to federal statistics, Florida is, by far, the most dangerous state for bicyclists. Florida had an average of 5.7 bicyclist deaths per million residents. Florida was far ahead of the second most dangerous state for bicyclists, Louisiana, which had 3.8 million bicyclist deaths per million residents.
This statistic spells trouble for those who rely on bicycles as a common mode of transportation in Florida and Miami specifically. If you or a loved one suffered injuries by a motorist while riding your bicycle, then you may have a strong case for compensation. Call a Miami bicycle accident lawyer from our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at 800-761-5225 for a free consultation if you are the victim of a bicycle crash.
Bicyclists Are Especially Vulnerable to Injury and Death
Bicyclists who travel in close proximity to cars are more exposed than their counterparts driving or traveling in vehicles. Though protected by basic rights and rules of the road, the reality is that many motorists fail to respect those rights for a variety of reasons, often with dire consequences.
Bike riders who operate within the laws of the road have a reasonable right to safety. Some of the ways that motorists can avoid striking a bicyclist include:
- Understanding when bicyclists have the right of way
- Keeping a keen eye out for bicyclists, which may be more difficult to spot than motor vehicles
- Staying alert to bicycle lanes and maintaining a safe distance from cyclists that they see
- Respecting crosswalks, and checking multiple times before turning right at a red light
These are just some of the most basic requirements for motorists when it comes to respecting bicyclists’ safety. Sadly, motorists often fail to do these things and engage in several other behaviors that put other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk of serious injury and death.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Miami, call 800-761-5225
Driver Negligence Is Common and Can Be Deadly in Bike Accidents
You have surely noticed the prevalence of drivers with their heads down looking at their phones. Engaging with a cell phone is only one form of distracted driving, a category of behavior that is increasingly the cause of accidents with bicyclists and others.
Bicyclists are already more difficult to spot than most vehicles that occupy the road, and the rise in distracted driving only puts a bike rider at a greater risk of injury and death. Some of the most common forms of distracted driving include:
- Checking or posting on social media
- Taking your eyes off the road to enter a location on a navigation device or app
- Making a phone call while driving
- Adjusting the car’s entertainment system while driving
- Tending to children, pets, or other occupants in a vehicle
- Engaging with other motorists
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles defines distracted driving as taking one or more hands off of the wheel, taking your eyes off of the road, or thinking about anything other than driving. Reality is that these laws can be very difficult to enforce, and common sense tells us that distracted driving is as rampant as it has ever been, often resulting in injury and lost lives.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries while riding a bicycle, or your loved one passed away as a result of their injuries, call our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at 800-761-5225 for a free consultation.
Miami Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
Know the Value of a Bike Accident Attorney Fighting for You
While recovering from serious injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one, consider allowing a personal injury attorney to take the reins of your legal case in pursuit of compensation.
Some ways that a Miami bicycle accident lawyer can help include:
- Kickstarting your case by filing all necessary paperwork before relevant statutes of limitation expire
- Documenting evidence of the circumstances that led to the accident, such as videotape, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and police reports pertaining to the collision
- Aiming to prove the negligence of the defendant(s) in your case
- Completing all the legal responsibilities required to bring your case to a resolution, whether it is a judgment or settlement
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
It is important that you not wait to call an injury attorney—do it today. Personal injury and wrongful death claims are generally subject to statutes of limitation that limit your ability to bring forth your case. The statute of limitations in Florida for personal injury cases, §95.11(3), is generally four years starting from the date that the accident occurred, and wrongful death claims, §95.11(4), is generally two years from the date of your loved one’s death.
There are exceptions to these statutes, and you should call a personal injury lawyer regardless of the time that has passed since the accident in question, but do not wait.
Click to contact our Miami Personal Injury Lawyers today
Compensation That You May Receive for Your Personal Injuries
The awards that you may receive depend on the specifics of your case, but some possible awards may cover:
- The cost of emergency transportation
- Emergency care required following the accident
- Any hospital stays required because of your injuries
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity because of the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages against the defendant
- And possibly more
If your case is a wrongful death claim stemming from the death of a loved one, you may receive additional awards. These may include:
- The loss of financial protection for you and your family
- The loss of consortium
- The loss of guidance for children of the deceased
- Funeral costs
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Call an Accident Attorney Today for a Free Consultation
It is our goal to obtain justice on your behalf and to ensure that you suffer no further financial losses as a result of an accident that you did not cause. Call our team today at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-761-5225 for a free consultation regarding your case.
We do not shy away from tough cases, and you will pay nothing up front, nothing out of pocket, and we only collect a fee if we secure a judgment or settlement.
Call or text 800-761-5225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
