Getting into an accident as a bicyclist can be terrifying. Cars, buses, and trucks are much bigger than your own form of transportation, and any carelessness on the parts of their drivers can put you at serious risk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 850 bicyclists died in traffic accidents in 2018.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident that was not your fault, you can reach out to the team with Ben Crump Law, PLLC to discuss your case. A St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer can help you fight for what compensation you may be owed in light of your accident.
To get in touch with the team, you can call (800) 761-5225.
Liability in a St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident
When you are establishing a case against another party involved in a bicycle accident, you must first establish which party you want to hold liable for your damages. This is more straightforward in accidents involving two larger vehicles. When it comes to bicycles, though, the statutes are many and complex in nature.
The bicycling statutes in Florida are designed to keep riders safer while they are on the road. These designate the use of a bike lane and vehicles’ ability to interact with the ones that are present in the area, and a bicyclist’s ability to take legal action against a driver, even if both parties are responsible or “at-fault” for an accident that takes place on the road, courtesy of the state’s comparative liability. Bicyclists must also have lights on their bicycles when they are riding at night if they want to stay safe and within the realms of the law.
Typically, if the other person did something negligent and it ended up hurting you, they are at fault for the accident. For example, if the driver was texting and driving and swerved into the bicycle lane, the driver could most likely be held responsible.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving St.Petersburg, call (800) 761-5225
A St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You
Understanding liability in a bicycle accident is only the first step in the long process of filing a complaint against the parties involved. The team with Ben Crump Law, PLLC knows how challenging these cases can seem from the outside and can walk you through the complaint filing process, helping you get your complaint submitted to a judge before your statute of limitations runs out. In Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11.
During this process, you can also see what kind of evidence a lawyer may need to back up the claims you issue in your complaint. This can include:
- Police reports from the scene of the accident
- Medical bills and diagnoses explaining your injuries
- Dash-cam footage or other recordings of the accident as it took place
- Eyewitness accounts of the accident
With data established, you can then calculate what compensation you may be owed, showing your work throughout your complaint. If you have been in a bicycle accident with another party, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- The bills you have incurred seeking medical treatment after the accident
- The cost of future treatments necessary to restore your previous quality of life
- Physical therapy needed to restore your previous quality of life
- A replacement bicycle
- Bicycle maintenance
- Lost opportunity for work or wage
- Wrongful death and funeral costs, if applicable
Representing You In or Out of Court
A bicyclist can get into an accident with any number of people, including ridesharing drivers or bus drivers. The companies that support private drivers in these positions can respond to an accident at a more rapid and organized pace than the average person. As such, you may find yourself presented with a settlement after a bicycle accident before you have time to calculate what compensation you may be owed on your own.
These settlements can help you overcome the medical expenses incurred as a result of your accident, but that does not mean that you have to accept them straight away. Instead, you can choose to look over a settlement with a bicycle accident lawyer and determine whether or not it takes all of your needs into account.
A bicycle accident lawyer can negotiate with larger companies if you want to fight for more compensation or can represent you in court, should an offered settlement prove insufficient.
Working to Lessen Your Post-Accident Stress
Recovering from a bicycle accident takes time and resources. You need to take the time to go through the medical procedures necessary to restore your previous quality of life.
Sometimes, though, that recovery can be expensive enough that taking legal action against the other parties involved in the accident is necessary.
The good news is that Ben Crump Law, PLLC works on contingency. By working on contingency, Ben Crump Law, PLLC allows its clients the opportunity to seek legal aid without worrying about immediate bills. Instead, the team with Ben Crump Law, PLLC will only charge you for services rendered if you receive compensation for your losses in an accident. The firm can take payment for their services via a percentage of that settlement. This way, you can preserve your savings while still getting the justice you deserve.
St.Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 761-5225
Consult with a St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle-related legislation in Florida is designed to keep some of the road’s most vulnerable riders safe. If you have been in a bicycle accident, know that a lawyer can help you understand the statutes that apply to your case and how you can best navigate these legal complexities. Together, you can calculate what compensation you may be owed and fight to restore your peace of mind.
To get in touch with the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, you can call (800) 761-5225.
Call or text (800) 761-5225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
