In Florida, great weather leads people use use bikes all the time to enjoy everything the Sunshine State has to offer! Beaches. Trails. Parks. Museums. Pedestrian and bike friendly downtowns. It is no surprise that Florida has bikers all over the roadways. Unfortunately, however, with so many bikes on the road, accidents also occur. In fact, Florida has more bicycle accident deaths than any other state in the United States . . . and the second closest state is not close at all. So if you, a family member or friend are involved in a bike accident that causes serious injury or death, call the bicycle accidents at LeavenLaw for an immediate, free consultation.

Florida Bicycle Accidents: Common Causes

Why are bike accidents so frequent in the state of Florida? Beyond being such a populous state with many drivers and bicyclists on the road, there are many reasons for bike accidents:

• Drivers not yielding the right-of-way
• Distracted driving
• Careless Driving
• Speeding
• Running stop sings
• Blind spots
• Improper turns

Florida Bicyclists: Rules of the Road

In Florida, bicyclists have all the rights that a driver of an automobile has, and also have the same duties. There are, however, exceptions. Depending on your age, for example, you may have to wear a helmet while operating a bicycle on a Florida road. Also, if the road you are operating your bicycle on has a bike lane, bicyclists are supposed to use such lane if you are riding at the same speed or slower than other vehicular traffic. If no bike land is available, then bicyclists are supposed to ride as far to the right as possible.

Despite these rules and protections for Florida biker riders, as you might suspect, bike accidents in Florida are commonplace, many times caused by car drivers failing to yield the right of way, disobeying the bike laws, or simply not knowing what to do. Regardless, none of these excuses are justifiable under Florida law. As such, you could be entitled to substantial damages under Florida law for injuries you sustained in your bike accident.

Common Injuries from Florida Bike Accidents

Injuries caused from bike accidents, like motorcycle accidents, can be some of the most serious accidents, causing drastic injuries and damage.

The most common injury from a bike accident—especially if a Florida bicyclist is not wearing a helmet—is a head or brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can in many circumstances result in life-long disabilities for injured bike riders. Brain injuries, however, are not the only injuries that biker riders incur. Other common injuries from bike accidents include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Concussions
• Road rash and abrasions
• Dislocations

Factors that contribute to injuries in a bike accident include:

• Bad weather
• Bad road conditions
• Bad traffic
• Distracted car drivers
• Lack of bike safety gear
• Lack of experience

In the end, Florida bicycle accidents can be complicated. Regardless of who you think is at fault, you should not hesitate in contacting a Florida bike accident lawyer to assess your case and know your rights.

Finally, it may not only be another driver who is at fault — know your options and contact an experienced Florida bike accident lawyer today.

Recovering Damages for Your Florida Bike Accident

As with any negligence action in the state of Florida, to recover for a biking accident caused by another operating a motor vehicle, you must establish:

• The driver had a duty to you, the bike rider, to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner and in compliance with Florida law.
• The driver breached that duty by failing to operate his or her vehicle in a safe manner.
• The auto driver’s breach caused you compensable damages.

Damages caused by biking accidents can be recovered in two other ways. First, if the vehicle driver was angered by your driving a bike on “his or her” roadway, sometimes their conduct may be an intentional tort or a battery. Be careful, however! Intentional torts many times are excluded from insurance coverage, leaving you to collect your biking accident damages personally from the car driver. Also, if the car driver violated a safety rule or law, for example running a red light or turning across double yellow lines and hits your on your bicycle, Florida law may entitle you to negligence per se, or automatically, given the other driver’s violation of traffic safety laws designed to protect you from such exact harm.

In the end, laws to protect Florida bike riders from injuries can be complex and the injuries devastating. Therefore, do not go it alone — contact bike accident attorneys with experience: LeavenLaw is here and ready to help you with your bike accident case.

Contact a St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer

LeavenLaw’s bike accident lawyers offer you a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your potential case. After your initial consultation, if LeavenLaw decides to take your case (and you feel comfortable with LeavenLaw as your bike accident attorney) you will not have to pay any up-front attorney fees or costs. LeavenLaw handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will deduct our attorneys’ fees and costs from any eventual settlement or judgment we obtain on your behalf against the parties that caused you harm. If we do not prevail, you owe us nothing.

Bike accidents again may typically cause serious injuries and unfortunately can be life-altering in the types and amounts of damages that they can cause. If you have been injured in a bike accident, contact the AV-rated civil trial lawyers and personal injury attorneys at LeavenLaw (in St. Petersburg) at (727) 327-3328 or (statewide) 1-855-LeavenLaw (532-8365). Alternatively, you can always submit an inquiry online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your bike accident case. If needed, one of LeavenLaw’s bicycle accident attorneys can come to you to discuss your case. We will look forward to talking to you soon.

St. Petersburg Bike Accident Office
LeavenLaw
3900 First Street North, #100
St. Petersburg, FL 33703

Contact us at (727) 327-3328 to discuss your bicycle accident case today! Or email us through our online contact form!