Pasco County is home to some great bike routes and some not so great bike lanes. Too often, cyclist get rear-ended or hit by distracted drivers.
Upon being struck by a car, SUV, truck or bus, bicyclists are likely to suffer severe injuries or even death. Here at Robert Sparks Attorneys, our Dade City bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to representing bicycle accident victims obtain the settlements, awards and justice that they deserve for the injuries and damages that they suffered after being hit by careless and negligent drivers.
If you were an accident victim in Dade City or beyond, a free initial consultation with us can help you in determining whether it might be in your best interests to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes:
As per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, failing to yield the right-of-way is the top cause of bicycle crashes in the United States. Some other common causes follow:
- Distracted driving by talking on a cell phone or texting.
- Turning in front of a bicyclist.
- Illegal lane usage or changes.
- Disobeying a stop sign or red light.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.
Statistics aside, one of the most common things we hear is that the driver never noticed the cyclist.
Bicycle Accident Injuries:
Florida doesn’t have a bicycle helmet law for riders who are more than 16-years-old. That being said, in the event of an accident, most riders are exposed and highly vulnerable to severe injuries. They might include one or more of the following:
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries, even if the rider is helmeted.
- Neck and spinal cord injuries caused by sudden and violent changes in direction of a rider’s neck.
- Internal organ damage from blunt force trauma.
- Multiple fractures of the legs, arms and hands.
- Dislocations and damage to ligaments and tendons from impact with a vehicle or the roadway.
- Lacerations and abrasions with infection caused by contamination of the roadway.
- Wrongful death caused by one or more of the above injuries.
A Note on Hit-and-Runs:
What can add insult to injury in a bicycle accident is when the motorist who caused the accident flees the scene. After being violently thrown to the pavement, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to identify the vehicle and driver that hit you.
Uninsured motorist insurance isn’t required in Florida, but you may have purchased it through your own auto insurer. If the driver is not found, you’ll likely be able to make a personal injury claim through your uninsured motorist coverage. You’ll want to speak with us before making any such claim in order to protect your rights though. That’s because your own insurer could turn into the opposing insurance company, and you can expect it to attempt to try and devalue or even deny your claim.
What to Do After a Dade City Bicycle Accident:
The first thing that you need to do after being hit and injured by a motorist as a bicyclist anywhere in Florida is to call 911 and ask that both police and paramedics be dispatched to the scene. Don’t get talked out of this under any circumstances. The investigating police officer can investigate the crash and make a report. Attending paramedics can treat you at the scene and transport you to a nearby emergency room for fur diagnostics and further treatment.
The police report, paramedic report and emergency room record will all support the fact that you were hit by a motor vehicle as a bicyclist at a certain time and place.
After you leave the emergency room, contact your auto insurance company and advise its representative that you were injured in a bicycle accident when you were hit by a car.
Then, call us and take advantage of our offer for a free consultation and case review. Your questions will be answered, and we can get all of the information that we need to pursue a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Contact a Dade City Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today.
Having an experienced and skilled Dade City bicycle accident attorney on your case gives you the best chance at obtaining the compensation available for your injuries and damages. Contact Robert Sparks Attorneys as right away after being injured or losing a loved one in any bike accident.
