Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycling is popular in Florida. However, a scenic ride can suddenly and without notice turn into a tragedy. Unfortunately, Florida happens to be one of the most deadly states for bicyclists. In 2010, there were 4,925 collisions that involved bicycles, with 76 deaths. Many of these bicycle accidents are preventable. Negligent motor vehicle drivers or defective bicycles and faulty products are the reasons behind many of these collisions.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a bicycle accident, Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, wants to help you. Since 1975, we have dedicated our firm to securing compensation for accident and injury victims in South Florida and throughout the Treasure Coast, including those injured in bicycle accidents through no fault of their own. We work hard for our clients, and we’re willing to fight for justice on their behalf.

For a free and confidential consultation, call us today toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online form.

Common Causes of Florida Bicycle Accidents 

An automobile drivers’ carelessness is the most common cause of Florida bicycle accidents. Statistics show at least 50 percent of all bicycle fatalities occur due to crashes with motor vehicles.

At any given moment, bicycle riders face the prospect of not being seen in time by an automobile driver. Often, drivers claim they didn’t notice a bike rider because of a turn in the road or the fact that the bicyclist was in their blind spot. Driver inattention also is a big culprit in bike collisions. Distracted driving that involves cell phones, text messaging or other kinds of activities that take a person’s eyes off the road can contribute to bicycle crashes.

Additional reasons for bicycle accidents with automobile drivers include:

• A driver pulling into traffic in front of a bicyclist
• A driver failing to yield at an intersection
• A driver not stopping at a traffic light or stop sign
• A driver failing to look both ways after stopping at a stop sign
• A driver impaired by alcohol or drugs

Motorist negligence accounts for the majority of bicycle accidents. But bike riders can also play a role in collisions. A rider who isn’t aware of traffic and suddenly enters a roadway without looking may make it impossible for an auto driver to avoid an accident. Also, bike riding against the flow of traffic is a recipe for disaster. Wrong-way bike riding can cause an unexpected crash. This is why bicyclists should always ride on the right side of the road, exactly as cars do.

Additionally, a bike rider who makes a sudden swerve in front of traffic could make an accident unavoidable. To ride safely in traffic, the bicyclist should travel in a predictable manner. A careful bicyclist pays attention to traffic and communicates clearly with hand signals before making turns. A bike rider should always be alert to traffic signs and signals as well.

But a bicycle accident may occur due to no fault of a bicyclist or a motor vehicle operator. Some malfunction of the bicycle itself could be the cause of a collision. Poor design or a bad fit between the cyclist and the rider can cause an accident to occur.

Types of Florida Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicycle riders can sustain severe injuries in a crash. That’s because the operator of a bicycle does not have the same protection as someone behind the wheel of a car. With no airbags, seatbelts or metal frame, a bicycle rider is much more vulnerable to severe or fatal injuries.

Because a bike has only two wheels, it can succumb to debris, excess gravel and uneven pavement. When streets have any sort of paving inconsistency, a bike rider faces the risk of losing control and crashing.

These factors can cause serious or deadly injuries to bicycle riders, including:

• Head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries such as torn ligaments or cartilage
• Damaged limbs that require amputation
• “Road rash” that can lead to serious infections.

Even though bicycle riders are always at risk when entering traffic, there are ways bicyclists can protect themselves. Wearing a helmet, for instance, greatly increases a rider’s chances of survival. It also reduces the odds of sustaining a traumatic brain injury. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 70 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve head trauma. However, only 25 percent of bicycle riders wear helmets.

The fact is that the most effective device available to prevent head injury and death from a bicycle accident is a helmet. Frighteningly, people who ride bikes without helmets are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.

Contact a Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a bicycle accident, Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, is ready to help you. While you focus on recovering, we will strive to obtain compensation for you.

Since 1975, we have committed our legal team to recovering money for those hurt through no fault of their own, including those injured in bicycle accidents caused by negligent car drivers. We provide compassionate and aggressive representation to clients throughout South Florida and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach.

Call us today toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or contact us online to learn how we can help you. We provide free and confidential case evaluations and charge no fees or costs unless you recover compensation.