A cyclist has very few protections when sharing the road with motorists. Accidents that involve cyclists take the lives of hundreds of people every year, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), 857 bicyclists died in traffic accidents across the country in 2018. Florida led the nation with 125 fatalities in the previous year. Furthermore, an overwhelming legal process follows when these types of accidents occur due to the severe injuries that often follow.
Bicycle accidents can cause quite a bit of harm to the cyclist. If you have injuries because of an accident on a bike, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-761-5225 to discuss your case. We will work with you to help you obtain any compensation that you deserve.
Factors Contributing to Bicycle Accidents
Several factors may contribute to an accident between a cyclist and trucks, cars, or busses. Some accidents result from negligence on the part of the driver of the vehicle and not the cyclist. Some motorist mistakes that may cause a bicycle accident include:
- Not yielding the right of way.
- Not providing enough room for the bicycle while passing.
- Failing to look out for cyclists at an intersection.
- Turning into the path of a cyclist.
This list does not include every circumstance leading to an accident involving bicyclists. In fact, these accidents may occur because motorists cannot see a cyclist or fail to use precaution around intersections.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Sunrise, call 800-761-5225
Injuries After a Bicycle Accident
When a cyclist collides with a vehicle, the odds of avoiding injury do not rest in the cyclist’s favor. A cyclist has very few protections while on their bike, so the injuries they suffered often become tragic. Some injuries cyclists experience in accidents with a vehicle include:
- Road rash.
- Lacerations.
- External head injuries.
- Concussions.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Broken bones.
- Severe scarring and disfigurement.
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries.
- Internal injuries.
Bicyclists involved in a crash may also have psychological injuries such as PTSD related to the collision or depression related to the injuries that they suffered. Severe injuries such as these may require expensive and ongoing medical care. Paying for this type of care can financially devastate the victim and their family.
If you experienced injuries in a bicycle accident, you do not have to bear the brunt of the medical costs and other consequences on your own. The Sunrise bicycle accident lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may help you obtain compensation to help cover medications, medical treatments, future medical treatments, lost wages, and possibly more. We may advise filing a claim against the driver of the vehicle, their insurer, and at times a third party who may share partial responsibility for the bicycle accident. Each accident occurs uniquely, and lawyers must keep that in mind in order to obtain compensation for losses.
If your relative suffered a bike accident and did not survive, we may also help you file a wrongful death suit against the driver or anyone else who shared liability for the accident.
Sunrise Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
What to Do After a Bicycle Injury
After seeking immediate medical attention, you may consider the following steps for pursuing compensation for injuries suffered in a Sunrise bicycle accident:
Identify the Applicable Statute of Limitations
As with any accident, filing a claim as soon as possible may help you abide by any laws regarding time limits for filing personal injury cases. You may find evidence more difficult to collect as times passes, so filing as soon as possible may help the success of your case. Also, the state of Florida has a statute of limitations on how long after an accident, you may file a personal injury suit. According to the state law, you must file your claim within four years after the injuries from your accident.
File a Report and Follow Up on Treatment
If you suffered serious injuries after a bicycle injury, you should file a police report. Even if you feel like your injuries do not warrant much medical attention, getting yourself examined by a medical professional may help your personal injury claim.
Additionally, you may not feel the pain from the accident because your body has gone into shock, and some medical conditions may remain asymptomatic until months or years after an accident occurs. To receive the fair compensation you deserve, documenting, and following up on treatment for any severe and ongoing medical conditions that may affect you in the future may prove helpful.
Making a Bicycle Accident Claim
If you experienced a bicycle accident in Sunrise, you might benefit from having a lawyer on your side. Often, an insurance company may offer you a quick settlement that may not fairly cover your expenses. Your losses may extend into your future if your injuries suffered in the accident prove more complicated to address or if you lose the ability to return to your regular job and make an income.
If you negotiate with the insurance company on your own, you may struggle to calculate what you deserve for the injuries and other issues that have come up as a result of your accident. A Sunrise bicycle accident attorney will discuss your case with you and help you settle your case for a more appropriate amount. In some cases, a bicycle accident case must go to court, and your lawyer may recommend taking your case to a judge to seek fair compensation. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we work with our clients throughout their claims in the hopes of gaining them the awards they deserve.
Click to contact our Sunrise Personal Injury Lawyers today
Legal Representation for Your Injury Case
If you experienced a bicycle accident and have severe injuries as a result, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-761-5225 to schedule a free consultation. Our team of lawyers can discuss your possible personal injury claim with you and help you decide your next steps.
Call or text 800-761-5225 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
