Lakewood Ranch Bicycle Accident Attorney
According to AAA, Florida leads the country as the deadliest state for cyclists. Many more cyclists who manage to survive crashes still suffer serious bodily injuries. Florida Statute 316.027 defines serious bodily injury as any condition that creates a substantial risk of death, serious personal disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ. Such injuries require years to recover from, and some victims will have lifelong consequences to live with. If you or a loved one have been involved in a collision with a car while riding, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The Lakewood Ranch bicycle accident attorneys at Hale Law are here to assist you through the legal process.
COMMON TYPES OF BICYCLE VS. CAR COLLISIONS
Florida law requires that motorists give three feet of space when passing a bicycle, but some drivers fail to abide by this law and clip a cyclist with their mirrors or bumper when passing, knocking the cyclist off of their bike. Similar to car collisions, many bicycle crashes happen at intersections when the drivers are trying to turn or make a yellow light. Examples include:
- When a driver makes a right turn after just passing a cyclist and turns into the cyclist’s path causing what is known as a right hook crash;
- When a driver attempts to turn left in front of a cyclist because they misjudge the cyclist’s speed;
- A driver fails to stop at a stop sign or stoplight and t-bones a cyclist; and
- More.
EVIDENCE USED TO PROVE WHEN A DRIVER IS AT FAULT
Unfortunately, while cyclists are often the victims of traffic collisions, they are also disproportionately blamed for crashes. Some people feel that cyclists should not be on the road at all, and even law enforcement sometimes do not know the rules of the road well enough to determine fault in a crash. If the injuries are severe, law enforcement and other first responders will likely jump to caring for the injured and the crash scene can get disturbed by others trying to get traffic moving again, which unintentionally tampers with evidence. As a result, it is important to collect as much evidence to prove fault such as:
- The crash scene investigation report;
- Witness statements;
- Any nearby traffic cameras;
- Crash scene reconstruction; and
- Photos of injuries and property damage sustained.
CONTACT THE LAKEWOOD RANCH BICYCLE CRASH ATTORNEYS OF HALE LAW
Being the victim in a bicycle vs. car collision is traumatic. Even if your injuries are minor and you have a quick recovery, the emotional toll can be monumental. The Lakewood Ranch bicycle crash attorneys at Hale Law understand that a bicycle crash can put an immense amount of stress on the injured party and their families. We can help to assist with the legal case and ease your burden. We will answer any questions you have, collect evidence to prove fault, compile documentation for a comprehensive personal injury claim, and advocate on your behalf. Contact our offices at 1-800-800-1414 to schedule your free consultation today.