Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Attorney
Florida policy obliges legal obligations on automobile motorists and their interactions with bicyclists and pedestrians. As Florida bicycle accident attorneys & lawyers that handles pedestrian injuries, we hold motorists accountable for causing injury to cyclists and pedestrians.
Bicyclists have the equivalent rights as motor vehicle drivers on Florida's roads. Regrettably, vehicle drivers do not always respect the rights of bicyclists. Careless or reckless driving habits repeatedly cause serious accidents resulting in injuries to bikers and pedestrians. Even if bikers wear proper safety equipment, they are still highly vulnerable. What might seem like a small mishap to the automobile operator can lead to serious or even life-changing injuries for the bicyclist.
While pedestrians are generally not moving at speeds as quickly as bicyclists, they are much more unsafe since they often don't wear safety equipment like a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 500 pedestrians are killed, and about 7,000 are harmed in Florida traffic accidents annually. What's most startling is that many of those accidents are preventable.
If you or someone you love has been harmed in a cycle or pedestrian accident in Florida, you are worthy of compensation. Our bicycle accidents lawyers and pedestrian accident attorneys can help you obtain the proper settlement you deserve for your losses, discomfort, and suffering.
Rights and Obligations of Pedestrians in Florida
Pedestrians in Florida have the right of way when crossing the street. Even if an crossway has no crossing signals, drivers are accountable 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 sprint into traffic or J-walks might be partly accountable if an incident arises. Florida is a comparative fault state, so their portion of fault could minimize the pedestrian's claim. For this reason, it's best to contact a Florida pedestrian accident attorney to discuss the unique features of your case.
Florida Pedestrian Incident Attorney Dedicated to Aiding People Harmed by Motorist Negligence Recover
The injuries bicyclists and pedestrians can sustain in car accidents can be severe. They may lead to past and future health-related debts, lost or reduced salaries from lack of ability to work after the calamity, having to deal with property damage, diminished quality of life, and a lot more. Luckily for victims of such misfortunes, our Florida Bike accident attorneys can help them recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit. In addition, our pedestrian accident attorneys are devoted to assisting injured victims get the compensation they deserve for their losses.
Holding Negligent Drivers Responsible
Cyclists and pedestrians understand that many motorists are not constantly as conscious as they should be of their environments. While many cities have created designated cycle and pedestrian lanes in rush hour zones, mishaps continue to take place. Bicyclists and pedestrians can exercise certain safety measures to make themselves more noticeable to drivers and minimize the risk of being in an incident. That being said, motorists are ultimately obliged to drive safely and in a way that does not hurt others. Here are some typical driver 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 justifiable grounds for a personal injury claim, you should really seek advice from an knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident lawyer immediately. In the event that you wait to file a claim, you could lose evidence and impede the success of your claim. Therefore, consult with a bike accident lawyer or a pedestrian accident attorney immediately for your best odds at gaining a honest settlement.
Steps to Take After Being Injured Or Hurt in a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident
When bicyclists and pedestrians are on the roadways, accidents are always feasible. You could possibly feel upset and stressed in the initial minutes following an incident. It's recommended to proceed conscientiously to secure your legal rights immediately following the collision. Below are some recommendations to bear in mind right after you've been hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident.
- Get to a safe and secure place - look around and identify a safe place to relocate to, out of the way of transit, to prevent even more harm.
- Keep your cool - take a minute to calm down before taking any action. Most essentially, at no time admit fault or leave the area.
- Inspect your injuries - You'll more than likely have adrenaline running high and be in shock right after an incident, altering your pain perception. See to it to inspect yourself for major indications of injury meticulously. Call an ambulance straight away if you believe there is any chance you've been injured.
- Get in touch with the authorities - stay on the scene up until law enforcement arrive and make sure all parties involved stay. If the motorist escapes, get their license plate number.
- Submit an accident report - See to it that that you give the authorities your statement for the incident report. If the authorities only take a driver's statement, you may request to have the report changed later on.
- Obtain contact information - get telephone numbers, addresses, and insurance information of all drivers involved and any witnesses nearby.
- Take photos - regardless of whether your accident was minor, take photos of the scene. Photograph yourself, your bicycle, any motor vehicles involved, and the collision scene. Make certain you get snapshots of any destruction to the motor vehicle and your bicycle. Your bicycle accident attorney can utilize images to construct your case in the future.
- Preserve evidence - this consists of your bicycle, which you should not try to have repaired until after your claim has been resolved. Keep 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.
- Receive healthcare - Even if you think your injuries don't require healthcare, still see a doctor. Small injuries can become more severe as time goes on, and you'll need to have documentation of any potentially severe injuries.
- Keep records - keep a record of all hospital visits, communications with insurance firms, or any other action connected to the incident. Your bicycle accident lawyer will need these records as evidence to help assist with your claim.
- Do not communicate with insurance adjusters - the driver's insurance firm may try to contact you, but you should let your bicycle accident attorney talk with them in your place.
- Contact a Florida bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident lawyer. While it is probable that you had partial liability in the accident, many collisions take place because of irresponsible or careless drivers. Irrespective of the circumstances, if a 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, speak with an adept bicycle accident attorney or pedestrian accident attorney to determine if you have a legitimate case.
Reach Out To a Pedestrian Accident Attorney or a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Florida
In the event that you've endured an injury in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, our Florida pedestrian accident lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys can help.
We understand that this is a difficult time, and we will do everything in our power to assist you and your family. To begin with, we'll provide you comfort by managing communications and dealing with the legal battle in your place. Afterwards 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