Florida legislation obliges lawful obligations on motor vehicle drivers and their interactions with bicyclists and pedestrians. As Florida bicycle accident attorneys & pedestrian accident lawyers, we hold drivers accountable for causing damage to bikers and pedestrians.
Bicyclists have the same rights as motor vehicle drivers on Florida’s roads. Unfortunately, drivers do not always recognize the legal rights of bicyclists. Careless or reckless driving habits in many instances cause severe incidents resulting in injuries to bicycle riders and pedestrians. Even though cyclists wear proper safety protection, they are still highly vulnerable. What might seem like a small mishap to the motor vehicle operator can bring about major or even life-altering injuries for the bicyclist.
Although pedestrians are typically not moving at speeds as fast as bicyclists, they are even more susceptible since they often don’t wear protective equipment like a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 500 pedestrians are killed, and about 7,000 are injured or hurt in Florida traffic accidents annually. What’s most disconcerting is that many of those accidents are avoidable.
If you or someone you love has been injured or hurt in a cycle or pedestrian accident in Florida, you are worthy of compensation. Our bicycle accidents attorneys and pedestrian accident lawyers can help you acquire the fair settlement you are worthy of for your losses, pain, and suffering.
Legal Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians in Florida
Pedestrians in Florida have the right of way when crossing the road. Regardless of whether an intersection has no crossing signals, drivers are accountable for yielding to pedestrians on the crosswalk. If, however, a pedestrian crosses the street where there is no marked crosswalk, they should yield to drivers. A pedestrian who rush into traffic or J-walks might be to some extent accountable if an incident arises. Florida is a comparative fault state, so their percentage of fault could diminish the pedestrian’s claim. Thus, it’s most ideal to contact a Florida pedestrian accident attorney to discuss the unique features of your case.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney Committed to Aiding People Injured by Driver Negligence Recover
The injuries bicyclists and pedestrians can sustain in car accidents can be critical. They might lead to past and future clinical expenses, lost or reduced salaries from inability to work after the calamity, having to deal with property damage, reduced quality of life, and a lot more. Luckily for victims of such misfortunes, our Florida Bike accident attorneys can assist them to recuperate losses through a personal injury lawsuit. Furthermore, our pedestrian accident attorneys are devoted to assisting injured victims get the settlement they are entitled to for their losses.
Holding Negligent Drivers Liable
Cyclists and pedestrians know that many vehicle drivers are not always as mindful as they should be of their surroundings. Though many urban areas have created authorized cycle and pedestrian lanes in rush hour zones, mishaps still happen. Bicyclists and pedestrians can exercise specific safety measures to make themselves more visible to motorists and minimize the hazard of being in an accident. Nevertheless, motorists are in the long run obligated to drive safely and in such a way that does not hurt others. Below are some common driver mistakes that lead to bicycle and pedestrian incidents:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding.
- Texting while driving.
- Opening a door into an oncoming bicyclist.
- Turning right and hitting a bicyclist or pedestrian.
- Side-swiping a bicyclist or pedestrian.
To figure out if you have reasonable grounds for a personal injury claim, you should speak with an adept bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident lawyer immediately. In the event that you wait to file a claim, you could possibly lose evidence and obstruct the outcomes of your claim. For this reason, speak with a bike accident attorney or a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible for your greatest odds at gaining a fair settlement.
Actions to Take After Being Hurt in a Cycle or Pedestrian Accident
Any time bicyclists and pedestrians are on the roadways, incidents are always possible. You would most likely feel perplexed and overwhelmed in the initial instances following an incident. It’s optimal to proceed with care to secure your legal rights immediately after the accident. Here are some guidelines to remember after you’ve been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.
- Get to a safe and secure place – look around and find a safe place to relocate to, out of the way of transit, to prevent even more harm.
- Keep your cool – take a moment to cool down prior to taking any action. Most essentially, at no time admit fault or depart the area.
- Inspect your damages – You’ll most likely have adrenaline running high and find yourself in shock following an accident, altering your pain perception. See to it to examine yourself for severe signs of injury completely. Contact an ambulance immediately if you assume there is any chance you’ve been harmed.
- Contact the police – stay on the scene until law enforcement show up and make certain all individuals involved stay. If the vehicle driver leaves, take down their license plate number.
- File an accident report – Make certain that you give the police your statement for the incident report. If the cops only take a driver’s statement, you may seek to have the report amended later on.
- Obtain contact information – get telephone numbers, addresses, and insurance information of all vehicle owners involved and any witnesses close by.
- Take pictures – even if your accident was small, take pictures of the scene. Photograph yourself, your bike, any automobiles involved, and the incident area. Ensure that you get pictures of any damage to the motor vehicle and your bicycle. Your bicycle accident attorney can use photos to construct your case in the future.
- Preserve evidence – this includes your bike, which you should not try to have fixed until after your claim has been resolved. Keep the clothing you were wearing at the time of the incident unwashed and avoid fixing any damages. Only share evidence with your bicycle accident attorney.
- Get medical care – Even if you think your injuries don’t warrant healthcare, still see a medical professional. Minor injuries can become more unpleasant over time, and you’ll want to have proof of any potentially significant injuries.
- Keep records – keep a record of all doctors visits, correspondences with insurance companies, or any other action associated with the incident. Your bicycle accident lawyer will need these records as proof to help support your claim.
- Do not communicate with insurance adjusters – the motorist’s insurance firm might actually try to get ahold of you, but you should let your bicycle accident lawyer talk with them on your behalf.
- Contact a Florida bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident attorney. While it is possible that you had partial liability in the accident, most collisions happen as a result of negligent or careless motorists. Despite the scenario, if a driver caused you injuries or property damage, they should be held liable. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident, get in touch with an adept bicycle accident lawyer or pedestrian accident lawyer to determine if you have a legitimate case.
Consult With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer or a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Florida
If you’ve suffered an injury in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, our Florida pedestrian accident attorneys and bicycle accident attorneys can assist.
We know that this is a tough time, and we will do everything in our power to aid you and your loved ones. To begin with, we’ll bring you comfort by taking care of communications and dealing with the legal battle on your behalf. Then we will win you the settlement you are worthy of.
St Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas
5858 Central Ave, Suite A
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
(727) 381-2300
www.727injury.com
Riverview Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas
12953 U.S. 301 Suite 102a
Riverview, FL 33578
(813) 639-8111
www.727injury.com