Car accidents involving bicyclists often result in devastating consequences. If you or a loved one was hurt in a bicycle crash, you might be entitled to compensation that helps you recover your medical expenses, missed work, and more.
A Sarasota bicycle accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights after a bicycle accident. If you decide to pursue compensation, our team of skilled injury attorneys can provide strong legal representation and dependable legal guidance throughout your case.
Causes of Bicycle Vehicle Collisions
Bicyclists and motorists must share the road in such a way that neither is exposed to preventable danger. Bicyclists are expected to follow traffic laws and remain aware of their surroundings. Motorists should also be on the lookout for bicyclists at all times. Collisions often occur when bicyclists and motorists fail to follow Florida traffic laws or make other driving mistakes.
Bicycle-vehicle collisions may occur due to:
- Distracted driving, including texting and driving, using a GPS device while driving, and eating and drinking while driving
- Driving while impaired after drug or alcohol use
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Vehicles traveling in the bike lane
- Driver inexperience
You May Be Compensated for Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes a bicyclist, the bicyclist may be able to walk away with only small cuts and bruises. However, many bicycle accidents cause severe, life-threatening injuries.
Your bike accident may have resulted in:
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Back and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Spine injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Disfiguring lacerations
Any of these injuries can bring big medical bills. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to receive financial awards for your past medical bills and future medical care. Costs related to hospitalization, doctor appointments, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and mental health treatment may all be recoverable.
If your injuries caused you to miss work, you could be compensated for the wages you lost while away. If loss of function or another type of disability resulted from the accident, you might also be entitled to damages for the harm to your income-earning ability. A proactive bicyclist injury attorney could help you seek fair and comprehensive compensation for the full-extent of your losses following a cycling accident in Sarasota.
Compensation for Damage to Your Bicycle and Other Personal Property
For many bicyclists, riding a bike is not just a hobby; it is a lifestyle. You may have spent a great deal of time and money maintaining your bicycle and other equipment. The value of the property damage caused by your accident may be a large chunk of your overall damages. A personal injury case may allow you to recover compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and other personal property.
Pain and Suffering in a Sarasota Bicycle Accident Case
The term “pain and suffering” is often used to describe damages involving non-financial harm. Being involved in a bicycle accident is a painful, frightening experience. More so, bicycle accident injuries can prevent you from participating in the activities you used to love. Understandably, the psychological toll of a serious bike accident is often substantial.
In addition to compensation for medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and property damage, you also may be able to recover your non-economic losses, such as:
- Physical and mental pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
Pursuing Damages on a Deceased Loved One’s Behalf
Many fatal bicycle accidents are preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol contributed to just under 40% of fatal bicycle collisions in 2017. If your loved one lost their life in a fatal bicycle accident, a compassionate Sarasota attorney could help you bring a wrongful death action against the at-fault party. It will not bring back your loved one, but it may hold the guilty party accountable and help you recover your damages.
According to Florida Statutes § 768.21, wrongful death damages may include:
- The decedent’s lost earnings and benefits
- Medical and funeral expenses
- The value of the decedent’s support and services
- Loss of the decedent’s protection and companionship
Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Cases in Florida
Civil cases in Florida are subject to certain time limits. Per Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), the statute of limitations for an injury case is two years. The statute of limitations for a wrongful death case is two years. (Florida Statutes § 95.11(4)(d)) If you do not file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, the court may throw out your case.
A Sarasota Water Vessel Crash Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one were hurt in a bike accident caused by another party’s carelessness, you might have a valid personal injury case. An expereinced Sarasota bicycle crash lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help you build a robust case. Let our team handle your legal matter so that you can focus on recuperation. Call our office today for a free case evaluation.
What We Can Do For You
Our team of well-practiced Sarasota attorneys at Distasio Law Firm understand Florida bicycle accident law and what is needed to bring a strong case for damages. We can help you gather evidence that will support your side of the story. We may use red light camera footage, dash camera footage, police reports, photographs of the accident scene, accident reconstruction, and other tools to build your case. We can also gather testimony from eyewitnesses to the accident and use it to corroborate your version of the events leading up to the crash.
In addition to gathering evidence of the other party’s negligence, our team can:
- Fill out and submit the necessary paperwork
- Assign a value to the damages you suffered in the accident
- Negotiate with the insurance companies
- Fight for a settlement that covers your financial and non-financial damages
- Represent you in court
Reach Out to a Sarasota Boat Accident Attorney Now
If you or a loved one was hurt in a bicycle accident, you might be able to hold the at-fault party answerable and recover financial compensation for your damages. A Sarasota bicycle accident lawyer from Distasio Law Firm can help.
Call our office today for a free case evaluation.
