Florida ordinance requires legal requirements on automobile motorists and their interactions with bicyclists and pedestrians. As Florida attorneys that practices in bicycle accidents & lawyers that practices in pedestrian accidents, we hold vehicle drivers responsible for causing damage to cyclists and pedestrians.

Bicyclists have the equivalent legal rights as motor vehicle drivers on Florida’s roads. Sadly, motorists do not always recognize the rights of bicyclists. Negligent or reckless driving behaviors oftentimes cause severe accidents resulting in damages to cyclists and pedestrians. Despite the fact that bicycle riders wear appropriate safety protection, they are still highly vulnerable. What might seem like a minor accident to the motor vehicle operator can lead to serious or even life-changing injuries for the bicyclist.

Although pedestrians are typically not moving at speeds as quickly as bicyclists, they are a lot more at risk since they often 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 or hurt in Florida traffic accidents every year. What’s most disconcerting is that most of those accidents are preventable.

If you or someone you love has been injured or hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Florida, you are worthy of compensation. Our bicycle accidents attorneys and pedestrian accident lawyers can help you get the fair settlement you deserve for your losses, distress, and anguish.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities 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 responsible for yielding to pedestrians on the crosswalk. If, however, a pedestrian crosses the road where there is no authorized crosswalk, they should yield to motorists. A pedestrian who rush into traffic or J-walks may be in part responsible if an incident occurs. Florida is a comparative fault state, so their percentage of fault could decrease the pedestrian’s claim. For this reason, it’s optimal to get in touch with a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss the distinct details of your case.

Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Committed to Aiding People Harmed by Motorist Negligence Recover

The injuries bicyclists and pedestrians can sustain in car accidents can be serious. They might result in past and future health care bills, lost or reduced salaries from lack of ability to work after the incident, suffering from property damage, reduced quality of life, and much more. Luckily for victims of such misfortunes, our Florida Bike accident attorneys can assist them to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Furthermore, our pedestrian accident lawyers are devoted to helping injured victims get the settlement they deserve for their damages.

Keeping Negligent Motorists Accountable

Bikers and pedestrians know that many vehicle drivers are not constantly as perceptive as they should be of their environments. Although many urban areas have set up marked cycle and pedestrian lanes in heavy traffic areas, mishaps still occur. Bicyclists and pedestrians can exercise certain safety measures to make themselves more visible to vehicle drivers and reduce the hazard of being in an accident. That being said, drivers are in the long run obliged to drive securely and in such a way that does not endanger others. Below are some usual motorist transgressions that bring about cyclist 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 proper premises for a personal injury claim, you should really speak with an seasoned bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can. If you hesitate to file a claim, you could lose evidence and affect the results of your claim. For this reason, contact a bike accident lawyer or a pedestrian accident lawyer immediately for your greatest odds at receiving a reasonable deal.

Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident

When bicyclists and pedestrians are on the roadways, incidents are always conceivable. You would most likely feel upset and overwhelmed in the initial minutes following an incident. It’s most effective to proceed conscientiously to protect your legal rights immediately following the incident. Here are some techniques to remember after you’ve been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.

• Get to a safe place – look around and identify a safe and secure place to move to, out of the way of vehicles, to avoid more injuries.
• Keep your cool – take a minute to relax before taking any action. Most importantly, under no circumstances admit fault or leave the area.
• Evaluate your damages – You’ll probably have adrenaline running high and experience shock after an incident, affecting your pain perception. Make sure to examine yourself for major signs of injury carefully. Contact an ambulance quickly if you believe there is any chance you’ve been injured.
• Get in touch with the police – remain on the scene up until police appear and see to it that all parties involved remain. If the driver goes away, get their license plate number.
• Submit an incident report – Make certain that you give the police your statement for the incident report. If the police only take a driver’s statement, you may request to have the document modified in the future.
• Obtain contact information – get phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information of all drivers involved and any witnesses close by.
• Take pictures – even if your incident was minor, take pictures of the scene. Photograph yourself, your bike, any motor vehicles involved, and the collision area. Be sure you get pictures of any destruction to the vehicle and your bicycle. Your bicycle accident attorney can make use of photos to construct your case later.
• Preserve evidence – this includes your bike, which you should not try to have fixed until after your claim has been dealt with. Hold on to the clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident unwashed and avoid fixing any damages. Solely share evidence with your bicycle accident attorney.
• Get healthcare – Even if you think your injuries don’t call for treatment, still see a medical professional. Minor injuries can become more unpleasant over time, and you’ll need to have documentation of any potentially severe injuries.
• Keep records – keep a record of all hospital visits, correspondences with insurance providers, or any other activity connected to the accident. Your bicycle accident lawyer will need to have these records as evidence to help strengthen your claim.
• Do not communicate with insurance adjusters – the motorist’s insurance firm may try to reach out to you, but you should let your bicycle accident lawyer talk with them on your behalf.
• Consult with a Florida bicycle accident lawyer or pedestrian accident attorney. Even though it is feasible that you had partial responsibility in the accident, a large number of incidents take place as a result of irresponsible or reckless drivers. Irrespective of the scenario, if a vehicle driver caused you injuries or property damage, they should be called to account. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or pedestrian accident, contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer or pedestrian accident lawyer to learn if you have a valid case.

Consult With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer or a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Florida

In the event that you’ve endured an injury in a pedestrian or bike accident, our Florida pedestrian accident lawyers and bicycle accident lawyers can help.

We understand that this is a difficult time, and we will do everything in our power to support you and your family. Before anything else, we’ll provide you comfort by taking care of communications and dealing with the legal engagement in your place. Then we will win you the compensation 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