Choosing a Bicycle or Pedestrian Injury Attorney
Florida law establishes lawful obligations on automobile motorists and their interactions with bicyclists and pedestrians. As Florida bicycle accident attorneys & attorneys that handles pedestrian accidents, we hold drivers responsible for causing harm to cyclists and pedestrians.
Bicyclists have the exact same rights as motor vehicle drivers on Florida's roadways. However, vehicle drivers do not always adhere to the legal rights of bicyclists. Careless or reckless driving behaviors oftentimes cause dangerous crashes resulting in damages to bicycle riders and pedestrians. Even though bicycle riders use adequate safety equipment, they are still highly vulnerable. What might seem like a small accident to the vehicle operator can result in serious or even life-altering damages for the bicyclist.
Even though pedestrians are generally not moving at speeds as quickly as bicyclists, they are a lot more unsafe since they usually don't wear protective equipment like a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 500 pedestrians are slain, and about 7,000 are injured in Florida traffic accidents every year. What's most alarming is that many of those accidents are avoidable.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Florida, you are entitled to compensation. Our bicycle accidents lawyers and pedestrian accident attorneys can help you get the proper settlement you are worthy of for your losses, discomfort, and suffering.
Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians in Florida
Pedestrians in Florida have the right of way when crossing the street. 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 designated crosswalk, they should yield to drivers. A pedestrian who rush into traffic or J-walks may be to some extent liable if an accident takes place. Florida is a comparative fault state, so their portion of fault could lower the pedestrian's claim. For this reason, it's ideal to speak to a Florida pedestrian accident attorney to discuss the unique features of your case.
Florida Pedestrian Incident Attorney Devoted to Helping People Harmed by Driver Negligence Recover
The injuries bicyclists and pedestrians can sustain in car accidents can be severe. They might lead to past and future health care debts, lost or reduced earnings from lack of ability to work after the accident, having to deal with property damage, decreased quality of life, and a lot more. Luckily for victims of such mishaps, our Florida Bike accident lawyers can assist them to recuperate losses through a personal injury lawsuit. Moreover, our pedestrian accident lawyers are dedicated to helping injured victims get the compensation they are entitled to for their losses.
Keeping Negligent Vehicle Drivers Accountable
Bicyclists and pedestrians know that many drivers are not constantly as cognizant as they should be of their environments. Even though many cities have established authorized bicycle and pedestrian lanes in rush hour areas, incidents continue to occur. Bicyclists and pedestrians can practice certain safety measures to make themselves more noticeable to vehicle drivers and reduce the hazard of being in an incident. Nevertheless, vehicle drivers are ultimately required to drive safely and in a way that does not endanger others. These are some common driver errors that result in 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 justifiable justifications for a personal injury claim, you should seek advice from an seasoned bicycle accident lawyer or pedestrian accident attorney as soon as you can. In the event that you hesitate to file a claim, you may lose evidence and affect the results of your claim. For this reason, speak to a bike accident attorney or a pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible for your best odds at receiving a honest deal.
Measures to Take After Being Injured Or Hurt in a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident
Any time bicyclists and pedestrians are on the roadways, accidents are always likely. You would most likely feel confused and stressed in the first instances following an incident. It's optimal to proceed conscientiously to safeguard your rights immediately following the incident. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind after you've been hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.
- Get to a secure place - look around and locate a safe place to move to, out of the way of traffic, to prevent more harm.
- Keep your cool - take a moment to calm down before taking any action. Most importantly, under no circumstances admit fault or depart the scene.
- Inspect your damages - You'll probably have adrenaline running high and be in shock as a result of an accident, impacting your pain perception. Make certain to inspect yourself for major signs of injury extensively. Call an ambulance quickly if you assume there is any chance you've been harmed.
- Get in touch with the authorities - remain on the scene until police show up and make certain all individuals involved remain. If the driver goes away, take down their license plate number.
- File an incident report - See to it that that you give the authorities your statement for the incident report. If the authorities only take a motorist's statement, you can ask to have the document changed later on.
- Acquire contact information - get phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information of all individuals involved and any witnesses close by.
- Take photos - regardless of whether your accident was small, take pictures of the scene. Photograph yourself, your bicycle, any automobiles involved, and the incident area. Make certain you get photos of any destruction to the vehicle and your bicycle. Your bicycle accident attorney can make use of photos to construct your case in the future.
- Preserve evidence - this includes your bicycle, which you should not try to have fixed until after your claim has been concluded. Keep the clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident unwashed and avoid repairing any damages. Solely share evidence with your bicycle accident attorney.
- Receive medical care - Whether or not you think your injuries don't require healthcare, still see a doctor. Small injuries can become more serious as time goes on, and you'll need to have proof of any potentially serious injuries.
- Maintain records - keep a record of all doctors visits, correspondences with insurance providers, or any other action connected to the incident. Your bicycle accident attorney will need to have these records as proof to help strengthen your claim.
- Do not communicate with insurance adjusters - the motorist's insurance company might try to get ahold of you, but you should let your bicycle accident attorney communicate with them in your place.
- Consult with a Florida bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident lawyer. Although it is plausible that you had partial responsibility in the incident, many incidents happen as a result of negligent or inconsiderate drivers. Despite the circumstances, if a vehicle driver caused you injuries or property damage, they should be held responsible. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident, speak with an experienced bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident attorney to find out if you have a legitimate case.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney or a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Florida
In the event that you've sustained an injury in a pedestrian or bike accident, our Florida pedestrian accident attorneys and bicycle accident lawyers can really help.
We know that this is a difficult time, and we will do everything in our power to support you and your family. To begin with, we'll provide you comfort by dealing with communications and dealing with the legal battle in your place. Then we will win you the settlement you deserve.
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