Protecting Fort Lauderdale Cyclists’ Rights in Bicycle Accidents
Motor vehicle drivers are legally required to share the road with cyclists, but you would not always know it from how some Florida drivers behave. Drivers who are intoxicated, distracted, aggressive, or careless make the roads more dangerous for cyclists and sometimes even cause accidents. Sadly, the injuries incurred by a cyclist in a collision with a much larger vehicle are often serious. Cyclists involved in an accident with a car or truck frequently lose their lives or face a long road to recovery.
If you are a cyclist who was injured by a negligent driver or dangerous road conditions that could have been prevented, or if you lost a loved one in a bike accident, contact The Winston Law Firm. An experienced bicycle accident attorney will work to prove that a third party is at fault and that you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Sometimes, our attorneys may recover the total compensation you need through a settlement. Still, if it appears that going to trial is in your best interest, we will not hesitate to fight for a positive outcome.
Standing Up for the Cycling Community in South Florida
Although people who don’t live in Florida may best know our city for its beaches, nightlife, and theme parks, many residents have discovered that Florida is a great place to ride a bike. The League of American Bicyclists has named many Florida communities some of the country’s most bike-friendly cities. Today, Florida can boast hundreds of miles of bike lanes and paved bike trails, and more and more businesses are adding bike racks and showers to accommodate employees who ride to work.
Of course, just because Florida has a thriving cycling community does not mean it is accident-free. Some of the types of bicycle accidents that we see most frequently at The Winston Law Firm include:
Drivers forcing cyclists off the road. Whether it is due to road rage, inattention, or a failure to understand how much space cyclists need, some drivers pass too close to bike riders, forcing them off the road. This is especially common on busy roads without bike lanes, although it can also happen when drivers treat a bike lane as a passing lane.
Parked car occupants opening doors in front of cyclists. When cyclists ride by a row of cars parked on the street, it is possible for a car occupant who doesn’t see the cyclist to suddenly open their door, causing the cyclist to ride straight into it. This type of head-on collision can cause serious injuries, especially when the bike is moving at a relatively high speed.
Right-turning or left-turning cars hitting a cyclist going straight. “Right hook” accidents occur when a car turning right at an intersection fails to see a cyclist going straight and turning directly into the bike, either cutting the cyclist off or turning directly into them. “Left cross” accidents most commonly occur when a driver turning left at a stop sign or unprotected green light fails to see a cyclist going straight and turns directly into them. Both these types of accidents are largely based on a driver failing to feel a cyclist, and if the cyclist’s attorney can prove that the bike had the right of way, the driver will most likely be found to be at fault.
Bicycle accidents caused by street defects. Although many of the most serious bike accidents involve a vehicle collision, cyclists may also get into accidents due to unexpected street defects, such as a hard-to-see pothole. An attorney may be able to prove that the city is at fault in this type of accident if the street defect was a known problem, but no efforts were made to fix it or post a warning.
The Winston Law Firm wants to ensure that the roads in Florida are as safe as possible for cyclists, and we will hold negligent drivers or city planners responsible for bike accidents that they caused to prevent future accidents.
Common Types of Bike Accident Injuries
The injuries that cyclists experience in a vehicle collision or even a street defect-related accident can be severe and may even cause permanent disability. Wearing a helmet can help protect cyclists to some extent, but this safety measure alone cannot always prevent injury, especially when high speeds and large vehicles are involved. Some of the most common types of bike accident injuries include:
- Soft tissue damage
- Bruising and road burn
- Head injuries, such as gashes or even skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries, such as scarring, a broken nose, or a broken jaw
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
Suppose you or a loved one experienced serious injuries in a bicycle accident. In that case, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a strong case against a third party. Suppose someone else was at fault in the accident. In that case, you have a right to recover monetary compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, home care (if required due to a disability), pain and suffering, and other costs associated with your injuries.
Get Your Life Back on Track after a Bike Accident: Contact The Winston Law Firm
A bike accident can be a traumatic and physically painful experience; you should not have to worry about how you are going to pay your medical bills on top of everything else that you are going through. Let The Winston Law Firm help you fight for the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Andrew and his staff are dedicated and compassionate trial lawyers serving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding areas, and we want to hear from you if you believe you have a bike accident injury case.
Contact us today to learn more about our track record of success and to set up a free initial consultation. You can reach us by calling either the numbers below, emailing contact@winstonlaw.com, or filling out our short online case review form.
Toll-Free: 866-306-9606
South Florida: 954-606-6606
