Bicycling is a great way to travel and exercise in Melbourne, Florida. However, it can also be dangerous and increase the risk of a bicycle accident. You may be entitled to compensation if you were injured in such an incident due to someone else’s actions.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Florida
Different factors cause bicycle accidents in Florida. The most common include distracted driving, failure to yield the right of way, speeding, improper lane usage, dooring, lack of bicycle lanes, night riding without proper lighting, intoxicated driving or cycling, failure to obey traffic signals, sudden turns without signaling, lack of protective gear, inexperienced cyclists and aggressive driving behavior.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving puts everyone at risk of accidents but poses a much higher danger to cyclists. Bicycle accidents are more likely to be severe when a driver’s attention is elsewhere.
Failure to Yield the Right of Way
Drivers must yield the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians. Unfortunately, they often overlook bicycles. Sometimes, a driver might not see a cyclist and hit them.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the biggest causes of severe bicycle accidents. When the driver of a car or other larger motor vehicle hits a bike at a high rate of speed, it can have deadly results.
Improper Lane Usage
Cyclists must travel in designated bike lanes whenever available but often share the road with bigger vehicles. If a driver makes an improper lane change or a cyclist changes lanes at the wrong time, it can cause a bicycle accident.
Dooring (Opening Car Doors Into Cyclists’ Path)
Dooring is a common cause of bicycle accidents that occurs when people in cars open their doors as a bike is approaching. A cyclist might not have time to react, causing them to slam into the vehicle door and go flying. Sometimes, they veer into traffic to avoid the door and get into an accident.
Lack of Bicycle Lanes
Unfortunately, Florida doesn’t have many designated bike lanes. This requires cyclists to share the road with motor vehicles, which causes many bicycle accidents. Sadly, those riding bikes often sustain severe injuries or are killed in these incidents.
Night Riding without Proper Lighting
Bicycles must be equipped with headlights and reflectors so drivers can see them in the dark. Cyclists who ride at night without proper lighting have a higher risk of accidents.
Intoxicated Driving or Cycling
Alcohol or drug intoxication is one of the biggest causes of bicycle accidents. These deadly incidents can occur when a driver or cyclist is impaired by substances.
Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
Cyclists and drivers must obey all traffic signals and signs. When they disregard traffic laws, it increases the risk of accidents and can leave those on bicycles severely injured or even killed.
Sudden Turns without Signaling
Bicycle accidents are more likely to occur when drivers fail to signal when making a turn. The risk is even higher if there isn’t enough room to safely pass between the bike and motor vehicle.
Lack of Protective Gear (Helmets, Reflective Clothing)
According to Florida Statute 316.2065, cyclists under 16 must wear helmets. However, those of any age can benefit from them and other protective gear. Reflective clothing can keep cyclists visible after dark.
Inexperienced Cyclists
Anyone riding a bicycle should be experienced and know how to react in any given situation. Inexperienced cyclists are more likely to have accidents.
Aggressive Driving Behavior
According to Florida Statute 316.1923, aggressive driving behaviors include myriad unsafe actions. They are also one of the most common causes of accidents and are deadly for anyone but especially so for cyclists.
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Statistics on Bicycle Accidents in Brevard County
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Brevard County is the 14th most dangerous area in the United States for cyclists. On average, the county has about 3.8 deaths per 100,000 people. It further reports that nearly 8,380 bicycle accidents occurred in 2023, resulting in 222 fatalities.
Types of Injuries in Bicycle Accidents in Florida
Florida bicycle accidents can result in various injuries. The most common are head injuries, facial fractures, whiplash, fractured arms or legs, soft tissue injuries, internal injuries and fatal injuries.
Head Injuries
One of the most common bicycle accident injuries are head injuries. Although helmets can prevent the worst of these, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), many cyclists skip using them. Accidents usually cause a person to be thrown on the ground, sometimes head-first, which can cause head injuries.
Facial Fractures
Some bicycle accidents cause cyclists to hit the ground, a car or another object face-first. This can cause facial fractures like a broken nose, jaw, cheekbone or orbital socket.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that occurs in bicycle accidents and other similar situations. It develops when the head and neck jolt violently forward and back while the rest of the body stays in place.
Fractured Arms or Legs
Bicycle accidents that throw riders onto the pavement can cause fractured arms or legs. Some of these injuries are compound, causing bone to pierce the skin. In that situation, the victim needs surgery and physical therapy to heal.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Bicycle accidents can cause soft tissue injuries, which can include deep cuts and lacerations, muscle, tendon or ligament tears, sprains, strains or tendonitis.
Internal Injuries
High-velocity accidents involving a bicycle and motor vehicle can have devastating consequences. Cyclists can sustain internal injuries and organ damage, which require immediate medical attention.
Fatal Injuries
The worst bicycle accidents can result in fatal injuries. A victim can be left with severe head trauma, a broken neck, crushing injuries or even be thrown a significant distance and die on impact.
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Legal Process for Bicycle Accident Claims in Melbourne, Florida
There are steps in the legal process for bicycle accident claims in Melbourne, Florida. They include seeking medical attention, gathering evidence, filing a police report, notifying your insurance company and consulting with a personal injury attorney.
Seek Medical Attention
After a bicycle accident, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Some injuries lie dormant or are internal, so doing this ensures you get a diagnosis and treatment.
Gather Evidence
Gather as much evidence as possible for your bicycle accident claim. This should include medical records, proof of lost wages, photos of the accident scene and your injuries, journal entries on how your injuries have affected you physically and psychologically and more.
File a Police Report
According to Florida Statute 316.066, a written police accident report should be completed after a bicycle accident. An officer can create one at the scene, and you can ask how to obtain a copy. This is important evidence to include with your claim.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Notify your insurance company of the bicycle accident as soon as possible. This ensures your claim is taken seriously and gives you a better chance of success.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney
Consult with a personal injury attorney immediately. Some bicycle accidents are complex, so it’s wise to have a lawyer on your side to protect your rights and fight to get you the best compensation.
Importance of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Melbourne, Florida
It’s important to have a bicycle accident attorney in Melbourne, Florida. They have legal expertise and knowledge, investigation and evidence-gathering skills, the ability to negotiate with insurance companies, determine liability and maximize compensation and provide litigation support.
Legal Expertise and Knowledge
A bicycle accident lawyer knows the complexities of these cases and can use their knowledge to your advantage. They can evaluate your case and explain how they will handle it.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Sometimes, the cause of a bicycle accident is unclear. An attorney can gather a team to investigate for answers. They can also gather evidence to show the facts of the case.
Negotiation with Insurance Companies
Often, bicycle accidents are resolved by dealing with an insurance company. An experienced attorney has the skills to negotiate with an adjuster to get you a satisfactory settlement.
Determining Liability
In some cases, there may be confusion about who’s liable for a bicycle accident. Your lawyer can use their skills to determine liability so your case can proceed.
Maximizing Compensation
An attorney will ensure you get the best settlement in your case. They can maximize your compensation regardless of whether it comes from an insurance company or the at-fault driver.
Litigation Support
If your bicycle accident claim fails to settle, your case moves to the trial phase. Your attorney can expertly represent you in court and get you the best outcome.
Why You Need an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney in Florida
Injured while cycling in Florida? Don’t navigate the legal road alone. The dedicated team at Andrew Pickett Law specializes in bicycle accident cases and is committed to securing maximum compensation for riders like you.
Take the first step towards justice – contact us today for a no-cost, pressure-free consultation. Whether you call our office or use our online form, we’ll connect our attorney who can assess your case and guide you through your options. Let us help you get back on track after your bicycle accident.
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