St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Representing the Rights of People Injured in Bike Accidents in Florida
If you are one of the thousands of people in Florida who regularly rides a bicycle, you are well-aware of the many benefits of using pedal-powered transportation. Riding a bicycle is a great source of exercise, can save you a significant amount of money on fuel costs, and is undoubtedly better for the environment than driving a vehicle powered by fossil fuels. Unfortunately, however, riding a bicycle can also put you at risk of involvement in a serious accident.
Thousands of bicyclists are hurt in bicycle accidents throughout Florida each year, sometimes sustaining serious injuries that leave them with medical expenses well into the tens of thousands of dollars, an inability to work for an extended period of time, and even long-term problems that can affect their day-to-day lives. If you have been hurt in a bicycle crash, it is important to understand that you may be able to recover compensation for your losses, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Loss of quality of life
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Determining whether or not you are legally entitled to compensation is a complicated legal issue, so it is important to have your case reviewed by an attorney as soon as you can after an incident has occurred. At Berkowitz & Myer, we will review your case at no cost to you and, should you choose to retain us as your attorneys, only collect legal fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
Understanding St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Law
Under Florida law, in order to be able to recover compensation after an accident, you must be able to show that the incident was caused by someone’s negligence. Negligence refers to another person’s failure to conduct himself or herself with the degree of care that would normally be used by a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances. There are many examples of negligent conduct that could potentially lead to a serious bicycle accident, including the following:
- Driving while impaired
- Distracted driving
- Failing to maintain a lane
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Defective bicycle design, manufacture, or marketing
- Inadequate maintenance of a property or roadway
- Defective bicycle components (brakes, tires, wheels, derailleurs)
Do Not Accept a Settlement Offer Before Talking to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
In the vast majority of bicycle accident cases, the at-fault party (or his or her insurance) concedes liability for the incident. This means that the only issue that needs to be settled is how much compensation the victims will receive. As a result, if you have been involved in a bicycle wreck, it is possible that you have already received a settlement offer from an insurance company. It is critical to understand that accepting a settlement offer means that you cannot bring a claim at a later date. For this reason, you should always speak to an attorney before accepting any offer made by the person who caused your accident or an insurance company. An attorney familiar with representing people who have been hurt in bicycle crashes will review your case and make sure that you the compensation you receive is fair.
Contact a St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident that was caused by someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you should speak with an attorney as soon as you can. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call Berkowitz & Myer today at 727-344-0123 or send us an email through our online contact form.
