Bicycle Accident Attorney in Winter Haven
Your Bicycle Accident Attorney in Winter Haven
When you get into a bicycle accident in Florida due to the fault or negligence of another vehicle driver, you are entitled to compensation. Bicycle riders are extremely vulnerable to risks on the roadways due to the lightweight of the vehicle and the lack of safety gear. Any other vehicle on the road is bigger and heavier than a bicycle. A bicyclist suffers severe injuries when hit in a crash. At this moment, the victim needs to focus on a fast recovery without any extra thoughts. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen in most cases. The victims slowly drown in the heaviness of rising medical bills, loss of income and earning ability, pain and worries, and the thoughts of an uncertain future where recovery seems faraway and impossible at times.
Our bicycle accident attorneys at Injury Assistance Law Firm have been handling bicycle accident claims for a long time now. They are expert law practitioners who provide sharp legal representation for your case. Consult a bicycle accident lawyer to learn about your legal options and how to take legal action against the at-fault party or parties. Let our personal injury lawyers take your case and build a strong bicycle accident claim.
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We are prepared to take over your bicycle accident case and help you receive the compensation you deserve. Connect with our Bicycle accident attorney in Winter Haven for the best legal guidance.
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How Does Florida Pose Danger to Cyclists?
Unfortunately, Florida poses a higher road risk and threat to cyclists than other states do. One of the primary reasons is the volume of cycles on the roadways. Florida’s warm and pleasant weather lures cyclists to be out on the road and enjoy the scenery around. Other reasons include:
- Distracted or faulty motorists
- A large number of tourists are on the road
- More elderly drivers on the road
- Bad road conditions
- High volume of traffic
These are some of the reasons why Florida is dangerous for cyclists, who often suffer a wide range of injuries after crashes and collisions.
How Florida Law Protects Your Personal Injury Rights
Florida Law carefully protects its bicyclists. A helmet may not be the only safety gear for bicycle riders in the state, but there are other laws to protect the civilians. Florida always prioritizes its riders’ health and well-being first when on the road.
Other vehicle drivers often pose a threat to the cyclists on the road. When another vehicle driver holds liability for a bicycle accident, the at-fault party must compensate the victim for the injuries and losses suffered. At the Injury Assistance Law Firm, our bicycle accident lawyers are ready to help bicycle accident victims receive the highest compensation possible.
Every bicyclist and motor vehicle driver should be aware of the fundamental traffic laws when riding on Florida roadways. Let’s have a look:
According to the Florida Law, every driver who comes into the vicinity of a cyclist must remain careful and exercise a duty of care to protect the cyclist’s rights.
- Bicycle lanes are strictly reserved for cyclists, and no other motorist should ride or drive their vehicles in the lanes.
- Every motorist must drive on the left side of the bicyclists and maintain a safe distance of at least three feet.
- Other vehicle drivers must yield to the cyclists while turning left.
- When drivers open car doors from inside, they should be careful about whether a cyclist is coming the same way.
When a bicyclist is hit in an accident, the cyclist’s body is exposed to road rash and serious injuries. The bicycle rider may suffer life-threatening injuries and losses, leaving them in absolute hopelessness. After you have met with a bicycle crash, you must immediately contact a seasoned bicycle accident attorney to learn about the legal intricacies and how to get out of the legal maze with a positive outcome.
What Are the Common Injuries Suffered in Bicycle Accidents?
When a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, the cyclist is the one to suffer critical injuries. In case the car is moving too fast, the accident can be fatal. The cyclist not wearing a helmet may sustain more serious injuries. The most devastating injury a cyclist suffers in a bicycle accident is traumatic brain injury (TBI). The injury may cause long-term health effects on the injured cyclists. Minor injuries may turn out fatal in the long run if not attended to in time. The most common bicycle accident injuries are:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts, abrasions, and scrapes
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Joint dislocations
- Road rashes
- Internal bleeding
- Facial contusions
- Face injuries
- Paralysis
It’s crucial to examine and identify the injuries on time and treat them by a verified medical professional after the accident. The treatment and adjustment process can be painful and requires more time. Cyclists are often left with permanent injuries and damage. The bicycle riders often find it difficult to get back to their normal flow of life, like before.
How to Calculate Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims?
When filing a bicycle accident claim, you can seek compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered in the accident. The bicycle accident attorney at Injury Assistance Law Firm calculates the potential compensation amount as per the injuries and losses. Common bicycle accident damages and losses that demand compensation in Winter Haven, Florida include:
- Immediate medical care
- Treatment costs (current and future bills)
- Loss of income and earning capacity (current and future)
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental trauma and emotional distress
- In-house care
- Bicycle damage
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death
Our bicycle accident lawyers in Winter Haven build a solid personal injury case on your behalf and fight for your injury rights. We identify the liable party and bring you maximum recovery for all your losses sustained in the bicycle crash.
What to Do After A Bicycle Accident Occurs?
At the Injury Assistance Law Firm, we fight hard to get you compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and other losses that you have been through. Once you hire our expert bicycle accident attorney, the legal professional –
- Gathers the pieces of evidence, like documents and reports
- Checks insurance and legal papers
- Talks to the professionals and reconstructs the accident case
- Interviews the eyewitnesses
- Calculates the potential compensation amount based on the injuries and losses.
- Speaks to the insurance companies
- Negotiates for the best settlement value
- If not negotiated outside, the attorney takes the injury case to trial.
- Aggressively represents you in court.
What’s the Timeline to File A Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
According to the Florida Statute of Limitations, a bicycle accident attorney has 2 years to file a lawsuit from the date of the accident. Ensure you do not miss the deadline. Once the timeline expires, you lose the opportunity to protect your personal injury rights for once and for all. The law dismisses your case, and you can’t claim compensation for your accident-related losses again.
Common Reasons Behind Bicycle Accidents
Florida is an ideal location to explore the fun of outdoor cycle rides. The pleasant weather and scenic view make cycle rides a recreational activity, whether for work or just exploring the streets. Unfortunately, the country has witnessed a massive number of bicycle accidents in the last few years. In most cases, motorists don’t maintain a safe distance from a bicycle. Cars often rear-end bicyclists. Bicyclists in their 20s have been recorded to be mostly involved in car-bicycle crashes compared to older drivers. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents are:
Motorists’ Distracted Behavior
Distracted motorists are dangerous to bicyclists on the roadways. Drivers who are on the phone, enjoy snacks behind the wheel, or talk to passengers inside are more likely to cause accidents. The drivers fail to see the bicyclist due to distraction, and the accident occurs.
Speeding Vehicles
When a motorist speeds on the road, it requires a longer time to stop, and the chances of collision are high due to less reaction time. A speeding driver always puts cyclists at risk.
Driving under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance or drugs impairs the motorist’s cognitive abilities. The chances of crashes are high when the driver fails to see the bicycle. Drunk driving has led to some of the most deadly bicycle accidents to date.
Open Car Doors
An open car door is a menace to bicyclists on the busy streets. When a driver opens the car door from inside without checking for any approaching bicycles, it may strike an oncoming bike.
Failure to Yield
Motorists often forget to yield to bicyclists on the road. When a driver speeds or drives aggressively, they fail to yield to bicycles. Most of the accidents happen at intersections between bicycles and motor vehicles. Almost 50% of the bicycle crashes occur when a motorist takes a left turn without checking for the cyclist coming from the opposite direction.
Poor Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions pose a critical risk to bicycle riders. Bikes are not as stable on the roads as four-wheelers. Sudden lane changes on uneven roads or roads with potholes may lead to accidents. Substandard road conditions cause cyclists and other motorists to swerve to avoid them. In accident cases resulting from road hazards, government entities are held responsible for poor road maintenance.
Inclement Weather
Bad weather conditions are one of the primary causes of road accidents. The state of Florida witnesses heavy rain, storms, and fog throughout the year. Bicycles with thin tires find it difficult to move in rain, snow, or sleet. On the other hand, motorists also fail to see the bicyclists in unfavorable weather conditions.
Night Rides
Unfortunately, most bicycle accident cases occur at night. When it’s dark, bicyclists are even more difficult to see, or the motorist may see the bicycle just before the collision. It’s too late then. Bicyclists are advised to have adequate lights and reflectors to make themselves more visible on roads at night.
Average Bicycle Accident Settlement
Bicycle accident settlements in the U.S. usually range from $10,000 to $100,000 or above. No single settlement amount is available for bicycle accidents in Winter Haven, Florida. Each case has its specifications. The Florida state laws, severity of injuries, loss of current and future wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, vehicle damage, insurance limits, and many other factors affect the average compensation. Minor injuries may result in a settlement of $5,000 to $25,000, and moderate injuries in a range of $25,000 to $125,000. Bicycle riders in Winter Haven must carry a minimum. $10,000 in medical insurance, which influences the potential payout.
Bicycle Accident Payout for Injuries
Bicycle accident settlements vary state by state. Certain key factors influence the worth of every bicycle accident claim. Victims must understand these factors to analyze the real value of the claim. Injuries are a critical factor influencing the final payout. High settlements involve injuries like Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, surgeries, permanent disability, and road rash due to skin grafts, among others. The more serious the injuries are, the higher the compensation. Bicycle accident settlement for a broken leg is not the same as bike accident head injury compensation. Your attorney reviews your medical documents, proofs and evidence, photos and videos taken in the accident scene, and witness testimonies thoroughly to assess your potential payout and which factors influence the final settlement the most.
Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries, a long recovery time, and financial struggle. One of the questions bicyclists ask the most is, “How much is my bicycle accident case worth?” If you have been in a bicycle accident case, the settlement value can be anywhere between hundreds and thousands of dollars. It can even go upto millions for complex accident cases.
How Much of a 25k Settlement Will I Get for a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle accident, if a victim receives a $25,000 settlement in a lawsuit, the question is now: how much money actually reaches the victim’s hand? $25,000 is not the final payout for the victim. It reaches the victim’s hand in a reduced form. Cutting the case fees, attorney fees, and treatment costs. The attorney fee covers 33.3% share of the total amount, which is $8,333. It can be more. In some cases, the bicycle accident attorney in Winter Haven can charge up to 40% when the case is complex and reaches trial. Apart from attorney fees, the case fee ranges between $250 and $2,000. The amount the victim receives ranges between $7,000 to $14,000. includes court filing fees, record requests, police reports, witness fees, etc. Medical bills account for a large share of the settlement value, reducing the total amount.
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Book Your Free Consultation with Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys
In case you have been injured in a bicycle accident, seek medical attention immediately. Don’t assume you are fine and delay emergency medical care. It may cost you later badly, both health-wise and financially.
Let our bicycle accident attorneys handle your bicycle accident claim and fight for your rights. When you hire an experienced personal injury attorney from the Injury Assistance Law Firm, we help you win the maximum compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Attorney In Winter Haven
Don’t Accept A Lowball Settlement Offer
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles all share the roadways and hold a duty of care for other vehicles and pedestrians. But when motorists act carelessly and get into crashes, it causes serious injuries and damage to the cyclists.
Don’t let yourself be the victim of another party’s fault. The amount offered by the insurance company initially may seem somewhat adequate to compensate for the losses. After the accident, the victim’s party is more focused on the recovery. They are not in a state to negotiate for further compensation and find it peaceful to accept whatever is offered. And that’s the mistake they make.
Once accepted, the victim cannot claim further compensation, even if they realize the settlement amount fails to cover all the losses suffered. Moreover, the loss does not only include current injuries and damages; future expenses must also be calculated. Only when you consult a bicycle accident attorney with experience and expertise can the professional calculate the compensation worth based on both current and future expenses. It’s always recommended not to speak to the insurer on your own. Therefore, it’s a wise option to have a bicycle accident lawyer by your side to ensure a successful recovery of compensation.