Bicycle Accidents

Residents and vacationers in South Florida often use bicycles recreationally, as well as a means to get from place to place. Although the law requires that motorists share the streets with bicyclists, not all motorists pay proper attention in adhering to that requirement, resulting in critical accidents to bicyclists Bicyclists can sustain serious, life-altering injuries when they are hit by a car or even when they encounter dangerous road conditions, such as uneven pavement or sidewalks. Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Lawyer David B. Datny and The Datny Law Firm offer zealous and compassionate legal support and representation to people who are injured by another person’s careless actions, including those resulting in injuries to bicyclists.

Taking the time to meet personally with victims, or families of lost loved ones, Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Attorney and Personal Injury Lawyer David B. Datny understands that the legal process is a daunting and complicated process, especially when an accident victim does not have skilled legal counsel. The Datny Law Firm is dedicated to making sure that victims have their questions answered and concerns addressed throughout the duration of any claim or lawsuit. While Boca Raton Personal Injury Attorney David B. Datny has the experience of a former big firm attorney, he has built his personal injury practice on the knowledge that individualized attention and one-on-one communication with clients are essential to achieving a successful result for his clients. Mr. Datny is available 24/7 to talk or text with clients by cell phone at 561-221-7474.

Injuries Caused By Bicycle Accidents

According to the annual report published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in 2016, there were 6,668 bicycle accidents statewide. Of these accidents, 140 involved a fatality, and 887 of them resulted in incapacitating injuries. There were also 2,915 non-incapacitating injuries. Incapacitating injuries refer to any injuries that disable a victim, such as broken bones, a severed limb, or traumatic brain injuries. These types of injuries require hospitalization and medical treatment beyond what is performed at the scene of an accident.

Bicyclists are entitled to use the road as much as drivers of any car, motorcycle, or truck are. However, as a Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Attorney and Car Accident Lawyer David B. Datny recognizes that not all motorists pay attention to bicycles in their vicinity. Additionally, because of the structure of a bicycle, poor road or sidewalk conditions can destabilize a bicycle more easily than a motor vehicle. Some common causes of bicycle accidents and injuries include:

• Hit and run accidents
• Drivers failing to check for oncoming bicyclists when opening a door after parking
• Defective bicycles or parts
• Inadequately maintained roads with potholes, or uneven sidewalks and bicycle trails
• Motorists pulling into traffic without looking for bicyclists

A motorist also may “buzz” a bicycle, which consists of passing a bicyclist too closely at a high speed. Florida has enacted a “three foot law” that requires vehicles to keep a distance of at least three feet when passing a bicyclist. This law also applies to when motorists are passing pedestrians, who are also vulnerable to the actions of careless and negligent motorists. If you believe that a motorist’s careless action, or violation of the law, has caused your injuries, Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Lawyer and Car Accident Attorney David B. Datny can help in investigating which actions were taken leading up to a collision.

When a driver causes a bicycle accident, he or she should be held accountable for the injuries that result. In order to receive compensation, an injured bicyclist usually must prove negligence. Negligence exists when a driver has breached his or her duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person would act, causing the bicyclist’s injuries and resulting in damages. For example, a motorist who does not check for an oncoming bicyclist before opening a door or pulling out of a space could be seen as behaving negligently.

If injuries in a bicycle accident were caused by poor road conditions, such as a pothole in a bike lane, a governmental entity or another property owner responsible for the road’s upkeep can also be found negligent.

When a bicyclist suffers significant injuries as a result of a negligent motorist or defective condition on the road, insurance coverage may not be enough to cover the costs of his or her recovery. Personal injury lawsuits allow victims to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering from the parties at fault for their harm.

Contact an Aggressive Personal Injury Lawyer in Boca Raton

Bicyclists are relatively likely to sustain permanent injuries when they are involved in a collision, especially if a victim is elderly or a child. Boca Raton Personal Injury Attorney David B. Datny is committed to ensuring that bicycle accident victims’ legal rights are protected and advanced. He offers knowledgeable legal representation to people injured in bicycle and motorcycle accidents throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties, including in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Del Mar, Lake Worth, Lantana, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Sunrise, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Lauderhill Lakes, and Plantation. If you need legal assistance following a serious bicycle accident, call or text us at 561-221-7474 or contact us online to discuss your potential claim in a free consultation