Bicycling is an affordable and fun form of transportation, but as with any type of vehicle, it can be dangerous and there are plenty of safety hazards especially here in Boca Raton, Florida. Bicyclists who are not paying attention or who are riding in congested neighborhoods may risk injury from an opening car door, a distracted driver that drifts into the bike lane or shoulder, another bicyclist or pedestrian and/or a fall from a pothole. However, there are many things that can be done to reduce the risks of riding a two-wheeler.
Bicycling in Boca Raton may soon be made safer, thanks to a $300,000 federal grant for the development of a Vision Zero Action Plan, Mayor Scott Singer recently announced. City officials are in the process of identifying problem areas for priority treatment which may include the stretch of road along A1A that is popular for bicycling. Additional grants of more than 7 million dollars from the Transportation Planning Agency are pending to cover projects such as sidewalk construction.
Among projects recently installed or being planned are:
- A new sidewalk along the north side of SW 18th Street, connecting Addison Avenue to the West of the railroad tracks.
- New bicycle lanes across certain areas of downtown Boca Raton.
- A pedestrian and bicycle detection system at Spanish River Boulevard and NW 3rd Avenue.
- Bicycle detection virtual loops at six signalized intersections.
- Bike boxes, a dedicated area allowing bicyclists to enter bike lanes to safely ride ahead of vehicle traffic after a light change.
- Expanded bicycle paths throughout the city to make them more connected.
These safety features aim to make cycling a safer activity in high traffic areas of Boca Raton.
Safety Tips – Bicycle Accident Prevention
In addition to safety features such as bicycle paths and bicycle detection devices, cyclists need to take safety precautions such as wearing a helmet and being alert to oncoming traffic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the following advice for cyclists:
- Before taking that first ride, inspect the bike to make sure the seat is level and the handlebar height is level with the seat. Then try the seat to make sure you are comfortable and adjust the height if necessary to allow a slight bend at the knee when your leg is fully extended.
- You should also make sure your tires are properly inflated and that the brakes work.
- To ensure that you can be spotted by drivers and pedestrians no matter what time of day, make sure you wear bright neon colors. According to the NHTA, the idea that wearing white ensures visibility is a myth. It is also a good idea to wear or carry something that reflects light such as reflective tape. It is important to see and be seen.
- Maintain control of the bike by always riding with one or both hands on the handlebar and placing groceries or other items in a bicycle carrier or backpack.
- Watch for and avoid obstacles such as potholes, broken glass, gravel, potholes, puddles, leaves, branches, dogs, storm grates, and railroad tracks. All of these hazards can cause a fall. If you are riding with friends and you spot one of these things, warn the riders behind you.
- Avoid riding at night. Night is by far the most dangerous time to be on the road on a bike because it is harder for others to spot you. If you do ride at night, be sure to make yourself more visible by wearing bright colors and having reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle.
- Many states – and Florida is one of them–have laws that require white lights on the front and red lights in the rear for all cyclists riding between subset and sunrise. For further visibility you might want to add reflectors on your tires.
Follow the Rules of the Road
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires bike riders to follow certain rules of the road. These include:
- Ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as possible. Remember—go with the flow, not against it.
- Use bike lanes when available.
- When riding on a road, obey all traffic laws and signs, signals, and lane markings.
- If approaching a crosswalk, abide by pedestrian crossing guidelines., and yield to pedestrians who have already entered the crosswalk.
- When approaching a major road from a smaller road or driveway, sidewalk, or bicycle path, slow down and check to make sure the road is clear before proceeding.
- Ride in a straight line and avoid weaving in and out of cars.
- Be courteous to pedestrians. Signal your moves to others with a verbal warning or using a bell or horn.
- Stay alert at all times. This means looking and listening for possible dangers. Save your headphones for stationary bikes at the gym.
- When making a turn, look for right or left turning vehicles, wait until it is safe to proceed, and signal before making the turn.
- Be aware that occupants of parked cars may suddenly open doors or pull out into traffic.
Sometimes, despite all precautions, car accidents with bicyclists still occur. In fact, in Florida, in 2021, there were almost 6,000 bicycle collisions with more than 5,000 resulting in injury and over 150 deaths. In these, cases it is best to get help from a skilled and experienced Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Attorney like David B. Datny. However, despite the fact we charge no fee for consultations with our attorney, we still get questions from hesitant clients about whether legal representation after a bike accident is right for them. We have tried to address in length these frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, or want more information, again, please call us any time at 561-221-7474.
Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident in Boca Raton?
Yes. It is strongly recommended you retain a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer to help you after a car versus bike accident with injury in Boca Raton, Florida. Our attorney will shield you from the at fault driver and his or her insurance company. Once you hire our law firm, nobody involved in the accident is allowed to contact you, which allows you the opportunity to focus on healing while we battle it out with the insurance company. Having an attorney by your side will also prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you and your inexperience in normal claims handling procedures. Many times, when a bicycle accident victim waits to hire an attorney, it is already too late. The insurance company has got them to provide a written or recorded statement that results in fault being placed on the victim or to submit to a medical examination with an insurance company doctor that is used to deny the injury or that treatment is necessary for it. The insurance company may also get a bicycle accident victim to unwittingly provide irrelevant and unrelated medical records, which is used to refute causation of their injury. These are all things the insurance company would have been prevented from doing had an attorney been involved.
An attorney will also help get your medical bills paid after a Boca Raton bicycle accident. A single trip to the hospital for a bike accident can range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the nature and extent of your injuries, which commonly include broken bones, knee or shoulder tears, herniated or bulging discs and neck/back injuries. In addition to the hospital bill, there are also bills for Fire Rescue, Ambulance Transportation, the Emergency Room Doctor, the Hospital Radiologist and any Specialists you see during your visit. Unfortunately, not everyone has health insurance or the financial means to pay these large bills out of pocket. While you may expect the responsible automobile insurance company to pay these bills willingly, that is not the case. Generally, they do not pay until they are forced to do so, which is another important reason to hire an attorney like David B. Datny after a bicycle accident. If you lost time from work following a bicycle accident or are unable to return to work because of the severity of your injuries, a personal injury lawyer will help you recover lost earnings and wages from the at fault insurance company.
Can I sue if I get hit by a car on my bike in Boca Raton?
Yes, you can sue the at fault driver after a Boca Raton bicycle accident. You can also sue the owner of the involved vehicle after a bike accident. If the operator of the vehicle was in the course and scope of employment for a business, we may also be able to sue his or her employer for your bike accident. For instance, if the at fault driver was transporting passengers for hire via Uber or Lyft, we may be able to pursue the ride share company for your injuries. If the Uber or Lyft driver was enroute to pick up a passenger, there may also be insurance coverage through the ride share company for your bike accident. If the driver was delivering food or other products with Uber Eats, Delivery Dudes, Door Dash and/or Amazon, there may be liability for those companies as well for your accident. As you can see, it can be quite complicated after an accident determining all of the responsible parties. That is why it is important to enlist the services of an experienced personal injury attorney like David B. Datny who will thoroughly investigate your case and ensure all necessary parties are held accountable. For a FREE consultation call 561-221-7474.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after my bicycle accident in Boca Raton?
For bicycle accidents that take place after March 24, 2023, victims have 2 years to file a lawsuit in view of Florida’s Tort Reform Law. For bicycle accidents that took place before March 24, 2023, victims have 4 years to file a lawsuit. See Florida Statutes § 95.11 (2022)
Under Florida’s New Tort Reform Law, which cuts the Statute of Limitations for negligence cases including bicycle accidents in half, time is of the essence. If you fail to file a lawsuit within the time permitted, your case is forever over and you will not be able to recover anything for your injuries, out of pockets, pain and suffering. For a FREE evaluation of your bicycle accident case, call 561-221-7474.
How much does it cost to hire a Boca Raton bicycle accident attorney?
First off, there is no upfront fee or cost to hire a Boca Raton bicycle lawyer. We work entirely on a contingency basis, which means there is NO FEE unless we SETTLE YOUR CASE. If there is no settlement, you do not owe our firm anything for our time or costs.
If there is a settlement, the standard contingency fee is 33 1/3 % of the gross recovery. If we are forced to file a lawsuit to obtain the justice you deserve, attorney fees increase to 40 % of the gross recovery.
Finally, consultations with our bike accident lawyer are always FREE. To schedule a meeting at our office in Boca Raton, or remotely, please call 561-221-7474.
