Bicycle Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach
Florida has done a terrible job protecting vulnerable road users like cyclists. Surface streets seem to be designed for cars alone, as most are wide, fast, and do not have bike lanes. Bike paths are also a rarity, and bicyclists cannot be expected to ride on the sidewalk at all times. Drivers are aggressive and impatient toward cyclists as well. This all amounts to Florida being the most dangerous state in the country for cyclists; Florida has a cyclist fatality rate that is 59 percent higher than the next state, according to the Palm Beach Post. If you were injured in a bicycle collision, the negligent party who caused the crash must be held accountable. Here at Hale Law our experienced West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorneys can help make you financially whole.
How Did the Crash Happen, and Who is Liable?
A study found that 76.7 percent of bike vs. car crashes occur in intersections, where drivers are often rushing through yellow or red lights, or focused on making a fast turn instead of checking over their shoulders for cyclists in the bike lane. However, not all crashes occur in intersections, and some collisions are more difficult to establish liability than others, particularly if the official police accident report is flawed, as police are often biased against cyclists. In order to establish liability, the first step is to figure out how the crash happened. Common types of negligent driving that lead to cyclist injuries include the following:
- Distracted driving;
- Drunk driving;
- Aggressive or impatient driving;
- Speeding; and
- Fatigued or drowsy driving.
We Use Witness Statements and Hard Evidence To Determine the Cause of the Crash
Because bike vs. car crashes are so traumatic for the cyclist, they are often left in a dazed state of confusion about how the crash happened. Drivers almost always try to blame the victim, going so far as to make up stories that the cyclist swerved into the road or came out of nowhere, when in fact the driver themselves simply passed too close or did not see the cyclist because they were busy looking down at their phone instead of watching where they were driving.
- Official police accident report
- Eyewitness statements;
- Statement of the cyclist;
- Forensic investigation based on skid marks and vehicle debris;
- Crash scene reconstruction experts;
- Injuries of the cyclist;
- Damage to the vehicle and/or bike;
- Video footage (dash cam, surveillance cameras, cell phone footage, or bike camera footage); and
- More.
Contact Our West Palm Beach Bicycle Crash Attorneys at Hale Law Today
As a victim of a bicycle versus motor vehicle collision, you face an uphill battle proving the driver’s negligence, as judges, jurors, insurance adjusters, police, and even state laws are often biased against cyclists. Here at Hale Law, we have the experience needed to establish liability and the severity of your damages, and we can win your claim. To get started today, call our West Palm Beach offices at 941-735-4529 to schedule a free consultation with one of our bicycle crash injury lawyers.
We Are A Go-To Law Firm For Bicycle Accident In West Palm Beach
Hale Law is located at 2803 Fruitville Road Suite 240, Sarasota, FL, 34237, United States. From Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) head west on University Pkwy toward Airport Cir and make a U-turn at Airport Cir. Next, slight right onto Desoto Rd and turn right onto N Tuttle Ave. After that, turn left twice and turn right. Hale Law will be on your left.
We are open 24/7.
For additional questions, you can call us at (941) 735-4529 or find us at Yelp.
