If a negligent or reckless motorist caused your bicycle accident, you should not have to worry about your medical costs, lost income due to missing days at work, or other expenses related to the accident. The at-fault driver and their insurance should compensate you for your losses.
Unfortunately, car drivers do not always respect cyclists or watch out for them. Accidents are particularly prone to happen when a vehicle turns into a road, and the driver forgets to check for cyclists before turning.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 875 bicyclists died in accidents on U.S. roads in 2018 alone, and many others suffered injuries. Unfortunately, when a car collides with a bicycle, it is typically the bicyclist that is left with devastating injuries.
However, if this has happened to you, it is likely that you have legal recourse. Consulting with a Tallahassee bicycle accident lawyer can help you get clear on your legal options and your next best steps. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC now for a free case review at 800-959-1444.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), although cycling trips account for just 1% of all trips in the U.S., cyclists are at a far greater risk of crash-related injuries and death than car drivers and other motorists. In 2015, almost 467,000 cycling injuries occurred on U.S. roads.
Injuries from bicycle accidents can be devastating and result in long-term detrimental health effects for a cyclist. Some examples of the injuries suffered in bicycle accidents:
- Head injuries such as concussions and skull fractures
- Musculoskeletal injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
Typically, in a bicycle accident, the victim will hit the ground, which can result in a variety of catastrophic head injuries as well as injuries to the hands, wrists, and arms. When a vehicle proceeds to roll over the cyclist, the victim can suffer extensive internal injuries and bone fractures. Many of these injuries can require lengthy and expensive treatment.
However, bicycle accidents not only leave visible scars on the body. They can also cause emotional trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some, debilitating injuries and the emotional effects of an accident may mean that they can never return to cycling. A person’s whole life may be turned upside down. However, a Tallahassee personal injury attorney can help you secure the finances needed to rebuild your life.
Compensation is typically available for all types of injuries in accidents, including emotional anguish. Compensation may also be available if you can no longer do the things you used to enjoy before the accident, such as ride a bike or other physical activities.
A Tallahassee bicycle accident lawyer can advise you on the various types of compensation that may be available to you.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Tallahassee, call 800-761-5225
Proving Fault in a Bicycle Accident
If you are looking to recover any compensation for your injuries in a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the car driver or another party was negligent and caused your accident. The burden of proof will be on you, the plaintiff.
You may be convinced that the driver is at fault for your accident, but remember that your evidence has to be conclusive and needs to hold up in a court of law. Evidence can include accident reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and medical reports that detail your injuries as well as any treatments you have received.
Proving negligence can be challenging in some bicycle accidents. However, a lawyer is familiar with the legal context of personal injury cases and can help you gather evidence to prove your case. In a bicycle accident personal injury case, you generally have to prove the following elements:
- The driver had a duty of care towards you
- The driver breached the duty of care
- The breach caused the accident and your injuries
- You have damages such as medical bills
Tallahassee Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
Compensation You Could Receive in a Bicycle Accident
If you can successfully prove another’s fault for your accident, you could receive compensation for your damages. Depending on your injuries, this will most likely include economic damages. Generally, economic damages are proven with bills and receipts. Compensation can also include awards for the somewhat subjective non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
If you have extensive injuries that prohibit you from returning to work or enjoying any activities that you used to take part in before the accident, your non-economic damages could be considerable. Some examples of the compensation you could receive in a bicycle accident case are:
- Medical treatments and future medical costs
- Hospitalization
- Medical accessories and devices
- Loss of wages and future wages
- Prescription and over-the-counter drug costs
- Replacement or repair of any property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of any limbs
- Loss of enjoyment
- Permanent disability
Depending on your case, other damages may be due to you. You could also potentially receive punitive damages in addition to any compensation.
Consulting with an attorney can be informative when it comes to compensation. A Tallahassee bicycle accident lawyer can help calculate your losses.
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Call Us Today
If you recently suffered injuries and material damage in a bicycle accident in Tallahassee, you could receive compensation. However, it can be challenging to prove another’s negligence and receive the damages you deserve. We can help. Leave it to us to take charge of building your case, collecting the evidence you need, and negotiate with insurances, if needed. We can also take your case to court.
However, you should act quickly. Florida Statutes section 95.11(3)(a) gives you a timeframe of four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you act, the quicker we can get started on your claim for compensation for your injuries.
If you had any financial losses from an accident that was someone else’s fault, you should not be the one to foot the bill. We will try to protect you from any financial losses arising from your bicycle accident in the present and in the future. There is no need for you to worry about any upfront costs when you work with Ben Crump Law, PLLC, as we work on a no win, no fee basis.
Time can be of the essence, so do not wait. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for help with your bicycle accident at 800-959-1444.
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