Plantation, FL Bicycle Accident Lawyers Fighting For Injured Cyclists
Our attorneys can help you hold negligent drivers accountable
Plantation and other cities and towns in Broward County are great places for bicycling. Bicyclists can be seen on the roads year-round. But there are many drivers who don’t like to share the road with bicycles. Others don’t even notice them. And it only takes one negligent driver to cause a bicycle accident that leaves a cyclist seriously injured.
The Plantation bicycle accident attorneys at Feingold Posner Draizin fight for injured cyclists in Florida and help them recover the financial compensation they deserve. We know that an accident while on a bike can impact victims physically, emotionally, and financially. Our bicycle accident lawyers build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable.
What causes bicycle accidents?
Traffic crashes involving cars and other motor vehicles are the leading cause of serious road bike injuries and deaths in Florida. Under Florida law, bicyclists have the same rights as drivers when operating on roadways, provided they utilize bicycle lanes if available. This means Plantation drivers must treat bicycles as vehicles, which includes keeping a safe distance, looking before turning over bike lanes and yielding the right of way as appropriate.
When drivers don’t follow the rules of the road, it often results in the following serious bicycle accidents:
- Clipping (sideswipes) – Cyclists may operate in bike lanes and shoulders, often when they’re traveling slower than motorized traffic. Inexperienced drivers or those with impaired visual fields often cannot discern the distance between their vehicle’s side-view mirror and the cyclist. They may clip local riders, causing devastating falls. These accidents often occur when drivers are impaired by alcohol.
- Crossover – One of the most common traffic accidents occurs when negligent drivers turn right or left over bike paths. Cyclists traveling straight have the right of way, but drivers seldom look for bicycles when turning on green lights. They simply assume no one is traveling straight and may turn directly in front of cyclists.
- Off-road – Aggressive drivers often refuse to yield the right of way to cyclists. They may tailgate, honk, or pass bicycles unlawfully. These hostile behaviors often force cyclists off the road to protect themselves. Without designated bike lanes, cyclists often crash on uneven gravel or landscaping. Even if the dangerous driver never hit the cyclist, the driver might be liable for causing the accident.
- Rear-end & run-overs – Drivers must keep a safe vertical and horizontal distance between themselves and cyclists. Tailgating often results in rear-end collisions with bicycles, which causes more damage than traditional fender-benders. These accidents can force riders into their handlebars, causing serious injuries. Run-overs occur when the cyclist falls onto the road and in front of drivers who are following too closely.
Types of bicycle accident injuries
Bicyclists have very little protection in an accident. As a result, bicycle accidents often result in various injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Common examples include head injuries, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries, which are especially severe without a helmet. Cyclists may also suffer facial injuries, including lacerations and dental damage.
Upper body injuries like shoulder fractures and wrist sprains are also common. Bicyclists can also suffer injuries to the neck or back, including spinal injuries – which can sometimes lead to paralysis. Cyclists often experience road rash in a collision, a painful skin abrasion from sliding on pavement.
Following an accident, an injured bicyclist may need to be transported to a hospital for evaluation. Depending on the type and severity of their injuries, they may need surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and multiple follow-up visits with doctors.
You deserve financial compensation for your bicycle accident injuries
If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt, you deserve to be compensated for the damages you suffered. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages if you are unable to work, and other damages such as pain and suffering. But it won’t be an easy process.
Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong – even if they were clearly speeding, texting while driving, or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This puts you in the position of having to prove negligence.
Don’t expect any help from the insurance companies. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. They will try to limit your compensation in many different ways. For example, they may question the seriousness of your injuries or the need for certain types of treatment. They may argue that your injuries were pre-existing.
Or the insurance company may contact you soon after the accident with a settlement offer. It can be tempting to accept if you are starting to wonder how you will be able to pay your bills. But don’t be fooled. It will be a lowball offer that will fall far short of what you deserve.
Our Plantation bicycle accident attorneys can help
Following a bicycle accident, victims and their families often struggle with confusing insurance requests and phone calls. You probably just want to get the whole thing over with as quickly as possible but aren’t sure if you should accept a settlement offer. Sometimes, it may seem like the insurance company is not on your side.
That’s because they’re not. Our attorneys know how insurance companies operate when handling personal injury claims. We used to represent them. We know their strategies and tactics and how far they’ll go to avoid paying fair compensation. More importantly, we know how to build strong cases that insurance companies have to take seriously.
Many people wonder about the cost of hiring a bicycle accident attorney. If we represent you, there are no upfront fees or other charges. We’ll pay all the costs to move your case forward. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a set percentage of your total recovery.
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in Plantation, Broward County, or anywhere in Florida, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.