Bicycle Accidents

Average Bicycle Accident Settlement in Florida

Apr 17, 2023 | Category: Bicycle Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

The popularity of bicycling as a form of commuting, recreation, exercise, and sport has increased over the years, with more than 48 million Americans participating in 2019. While bicycling provides countless benefits to riders in terms of efficiency, health, and the environment, with benefits comes risk. In fact, Florida recorded a record 6,678 bicycle crashes on roadways in 2019. Very few cyclists hit by a car walk away with minimal injuries. Florida law permits bicycle accident survivors to pursue a personal injury lawsuit for their injuries. Many personal injury lawsuits reach a settlement before trial. However, achieving a fair settlement for your injuries requires the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.  Is There an Average Settlement for a Cyclist Hit by a Car? Wondering if there is an average settlement for a cyclist hit by a car? The amount of compensation a cyclist hit by a car can expect is subject to the outcome of negotiations and the specific details of the case. However, your personal injury attorney may provide insight as to what damages you may be eligible to recover in your lawsuit. According to the bicycle accident settlement examples listed on this page, the typical Florida bicycle accident lawsuit is anywhere from $100,000 to $600,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for bicycle accident lawsuits in Florida. Recent 2021 Bicycle Accident Settlements and Awards in Florida In these recent examples of settlement cases, here’s how much we were able to recover for victims of bicycle accidents. The unique circumstances of each case play a significant role in determining settlements, which is why it is important to contact us today to learn how we can help. $600,000 / Motor Vehicle/Bicycle Accident / Closed Head Injury Our client sustained a closed head injury while riding a bicycle when struck by a vehicle. $100,000 / Motor Vehicle/Bicycle Accident / Cervical Disc Fractures This tragic crash occurred when our client was riding his bicycle in the parking lot area of a public boat ramp in Clearwater, Florida. As he was riding, a large truck being driven by the defendant pulled out directly in front of our client. He veered to the right in an attempt to avoid colliding with the truck, however, his bicycle fell to the right as a result, and he hit the ground hard. Our client was rushed to the hospital where x-rays revealed serious, unstable fractures in the neck. Three days after the crash, our client underwent surgery to fuse the bones of his cervical and upper thoracic spine. Unfortunately, in this case, the negligent driver was uninsured. Our client did, however, purchase what is known as uninsured motorist coverage (“UM”) UM coverage is insurance that protects you by providing compensation if you are injured by a negligent driver who is either uninsured or underinsured for your damages. In seeking compensation for our client, we were limited to the amount of insurance our client had purchased. Based on our efforts though, we were able to recover all the available UM insurance for our client. If you’ve been hit by a car while on a bike, don’t wait any longer to seek the settlement you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get the compensation you need after a bicycle accident. Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Bicycle accidents can occur anywhere. However, bicyclists are often disproportionately injured in these accidents compared to motorists. Without a car to shield them, bicyclists have no physical protection other than their helmets. Even on neighborhood streets and at low speeds, bicycle accidents result in severe and sometimes fatal injuries.  Bicycle accidents may be caused by any number of factors. These factors are important because they are used to establish fault. Common causes of bicycle accidents include: While many bicycle accidents result from driver error, in some situations, bicyclists may be found at least partially at fault for an accident.  Bicyclists should ride with caution at all times. However, when certain unavoidable conditions exist, such as dangerous weather or road conditions, bicyclists should raise their awareness to protect themselves from risk of bicycle accidents.  How is Fault Determined?   Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that if you are found to be no more than 50% at fault for the accident, your recovery is reduced by the same proportion as your percentage of fault. As an example, if you are found to be 20% at fault in an accident, you may still recover 80% of your damages in a lawsuit. If, however, your percentage of fault is found to be more than 50%, you are barred from any recovery under the law. What Should I Do First?  There are many steps to take after you suffer an accident on a bicycle. Knowing what to do immediately following a bicycle accident makes a difference in maintaining control and protecting your rights. Seek Medical Attention Even if you believe you have not been injured, seek medical attention. You may suffer injuries you are unaware of immediately following an accident. Medical records legitimately document your injuries and may increase the value of your bicycle accident settlement. Additionally, follow all required medical directions and recommendations for your recovery. Failing to follow through with prescribed medical treatment may negatively affect the value of your case.  Document the Scene If physically able, write down every detail about the accident, including the following information:  Take photos of the car that struck you, the license plate of the vehicle, your injuries, and damage to your bicycle. Additionally, exchange contact information with the driver. This includes a photo of their driver’s license and their insurance information.  Call 911 Call and wait for law enforcement officials to arrive at the scene. Responding officers create accident reports. These reports provide crucial, unbiased information used in bicycle accident lawsuits and settlement negotiations. Additionally, law enforcement officials assess the scene and determine whether other factors may...

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Tampa Bay’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Bicyclists

Sep 27, 2019 | Category: Bicycle Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

Tampa Bay is a notoriously dangerous place for bicycles. Drivers of larger vehicles treat bicyclists like they are in the way, even though the law gives bicycles just as much right as other vehicles to be on the road. Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable at intersections and prone to serious injuries if they are involved in an accident. Drivers in Tampa Bay have an obligation to drive safely and respect bicyclists on the road. The Tampa Bay Times analyzed crash data from 2011 to 2018 and determined the 11 most dangerous intersections for bicyclists. Two of these intersections were tied for tenth place. These intersections accounted for a total of 158 crashes with 157 injuries and two fatalities. Eight of the intersections are in Pinellas County, two in Hillsborough County, and one in Pasco County. Only two of these intersections had dedicated bike lanes. Dangerous Intersections A complete map of the dangerous intersections and locations of bicycle accidents can be found here. Some of the most dangerous intersections for bicyclists in the Tampa Bay area include: W Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard—this intersection had the most crashes with 19 and 17 injuries. There are no dedicated bike lanes at this intersection. 66th Street N and 54th Avenue N—there were 18 crashes at this intersection, and one cyclist was killed. The intersection is surrounded by businesses and is in an area where many people don’t have cars. 34th Street N and 5th Avenue N—there were 16 crashes at this intersection 34th Street N and 1st Avenue N—close to another dangerous intersection, this intersection was also the site of 16 crashes N Nebraska Avenue and Fowler Avenue—there were 15 crashes in this intersection W Hillsborough Avenue and N Lois Avenue—there were 13 crashes here despite the existence of dedicated bike lanes All of the intersections in Pinellas County are in commercial areas where there is a high-density mixture of cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the road. On these types of roads, there are many points of conflict for a bicyclist, meaning there are many chances for them to encounter a vehicle. Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney If you’ve been injured in a Florida bicycle accident, it can be helpful to have an experienced Tampa Bay accident attorney evaluate your case. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk we have been helping bicycle accident victims for over 30 years. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.

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Florida Ranks #1 in Fatal Bicycle Accidents

Aug 28, 2019 | Category: Bicycle Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

Florida has the perfect weather for bicyclists, and as a result of this, millions of bicycles hit Florida roads every day. However, Florida is also a very dangerous place for bicycles. According to the AAA, out of the 783 bicyclist deaths in the country in 2017, 125 of them occurred in Florida. This makes Florida the number one deadliest state for bicyclists. Common Causes of Bicycle Fatalities There are a number of different ways that a bicycle fatality can occur. Some fatalities are the fault of the bicyclist, but many result from negligence on the part of a motor vehicle driver. Some common causes of Florida bicycle accidents include: Failure to Yield the Right of Way—one of the most common reasons for bicycle fatalities is the failure of drivers to yield the right of way to bicycles. This is the cause of one-third of deadly bicycle accidents. Bicyclist Not Visible—bicyclists should have lights on their bicycles when riding at night. Florida law requires bicyclists to have a light on the front and back of their bicycle when riding at night. The most dangerous time for bicyclists is between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. Poor visibility can also be the result of poor lighting on the roadways. Failure to Obey Traffic Signs and Signals—drivers and bicyclists who fail to obey signs and signals such as red lights and stop signs can cause serious accidents. Making an Improper Turn—this often happens when a driver makes a right turn without checking for a bicyclist coming up behind them. Preventing Bicycle Accidents Many drivers in Florida fail to obey the traffic laws that are in place to protect cyclists. Learning how to drive around bicycles properly should be an important part of driver education classes. In addition, cities should make roads safer for bicycles. The addition of more bike lanes and protected areas for bicycles to ride can make the roads safer for bicyclists and motorists. Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle accident, you may want to have your case evaluated by a Tampa Bay bicycle accident attorney. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we’ve been helping injured Floridians for over 30 years. Contact us onlineor call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.

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Does Florida Require Bicycle Helmets?

Jul 12, 2019 | Category: Bicycle Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

With its beautiful weather and scenic drives, Florida is a great place to ride a bicycle. It’s also a dangerous place. In fact, Pinellas County has been named one of the most dangerous places to ride a bicycle in America. Helmets can go a long way toward protecting a bicyclist in the event of an accident. Studies have shown that helmet use can result in a 69% reduction in head injuries.  Yet many cyclists don’t wear helmets, and Florida has some specific rules regarding helmet use. Florida Law Florida law requires that bicycle helmets be used by children. A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years old must wear a properly fitted helmet that is fastened securely by a strap and meets federal safety standards. The term “passenger” includes any child who is riding in a trailer or semitrailer that is attached to a bicycle. Florida has no requirement that individuals age 16 and older wear helmets. So, while wearing a bicycle helmet is a wise and important thing to do, failing to do so is not against the law in Florida. Is Not Wearing a Helmet Considered Negligence? Because we all know the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet to reduce injury, it may seem that failing to wear one would be considered negligence. However, under Florida law, the failure of a person to wear a bicycle helmet, or the failure of a parent or guardian to prevent a child from riding a bike without a helmet, cannot be considered evidence of negligence or contributory negligence. This means that if you are involved in an accident and you were not wearing your helmet, that fact will not affect any compensation for your injuries to which you may be entitled. Regardless of what the law says, it is still important for children and adults to wear helmets when riding bicycles. Bicycle accidents can result in serious, life-altering traumatic brain injury. This risk is greatly increased if a bicycle helmet is not worn. While bicycle helmets may be uncomfortable and unattractive to some, it’s important to keep yourself and your family safe. Contact a Tampa Bay Bicycle Accident Attorney If you or your child has been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our attorneys have more than 30 years of experience representing the victims of Florida bicycle accidents. Contact us online or call us at 800-538-4878 to set up your free consultation today.

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Pinellas County: Most Dangerous Place to Ride a Bike

Jan 2, 2019 | Category: Bicycle Accidents | By Erik Abrahamson

With its great weather and scenic roadways, it seems like Florida would be the perfect place to ride a bicycle. However, Florida has by far the highest per capita death rate for bicyclists in the country. According to the Wall Street Journal, Pinellas County is the most dangerous county in the state. A six-mile stretch of Park Boulevard in Pinellas County has been the scene of several deaths and dozens of injuries and is one of the most dangerous roadways in the country for bicyclists. Contributing Factors Pinellas County has many large, multi-lane roads which can be especially dangerous to cyclists. The county’s infrastructure is not particularly conducive to cycling and is very much oriented towards cars as the main form of transportation. The designers of many Florida cities had cars in mind and did not account for pedestrian or bicycle traffic. There are a large number of cars on the road in Pinellas County, and Florida drivers are some of the worst in the country. These factors taken together with the fact that the number of bicyclists in the county is on the rise, offer another explanation for the high fatality rate. In addition, Florida has a deeply rooted car culture, and there’s not much respect or space given to bicyclists on the road. Solutions The state and the county have recognized the high rate of cyclist deaths and plan to take steps to improve the situation. Since 2009 Pinellas County has added miles of bike lanes to its roadways. Park Boulevard, one of the most dangerous roadways, has no bike lanes and a majority of cyclists are forced to ride on the sidewalk. In addition, many Florida bike crashes occur because cyclists don’t use crosswalks. The county is hoping to curb this problem by installing three mid-block crosswalks on Park Boulevard with signals that can be activated by pedestrians and cyclists with a push of a button. There is currently no guarantee that drivers will stop at a crosswalk without a red-light signal but there’s hope that pedestrian accidents can be reduced. Contact a Trusted Attorney If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact the trusted lawyers at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk online or call us at 1-800-538-4878 to schedule your free consultation.

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