Bicycle Accident Information To Know Prior To Contacting A Lawyer
A bicycle accident in Sarasota, Cape Coral, and throughout our Southwest Florida region happens far too often.
The numbers are not surprising, given Southwest Florida’s year-round bicycle-friendly weather. There are more bikes on our streets and roads than ever before. People of all ages, from kids to seniors, are bicycling throughout our communities.
Bicycle Accident Injuries Are Common Because Bicycling Is Hugely Popular
Florida law encourages bicycling. This is why bicyclists are generally permitted to ride their bikes on sidewalks, on non-highway roads, and on designated bike paths or bike lanes. Many designated bike paths or lanes are added to our roadways in SWFL every year.
When bicyclists are on the road, they must share the road with vehicles of all shapes and sizes. This is true whether or not there is a designated bike lane. As vehicle traffic increases year-round in Southwest Florida, particularly during our seasonal months, this means danger to bicyclists, and a tragic bicycle accident is often the result.
A Bicycle Accident Often Occurs When a Motorist Violates Rules of the Road
Florida law requires motor vehicles to share the road with bikes and keep a safe distance from them. However, we all know from common experience many drivers do not pay attention to bike riders. Bicycle accidents result from many circumstances:
- inattentive drivers
- drivers fail to provide space for bicycle to move
- vehicles turn quickly into cyclist’s path
- vehicle do not yield to bicyclist’s right of way
- car or truck changes lanes in the cyclist’s path
- car driver and truck driver cuts off cyclists
- reckless driving
- drivers who are texting and driving
- drunk driving
Locally, there are many avoidable bike crashes. For example, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports the large number of serious bicyclist crash injuries on our local streets and roads:
- Collier County: 94 bicycle accident injuries per year
- Charlotte County: 35 bicycle accident injuries per year
- Sarasota: 108 per bicycle injuries per year
These figures are averages over five years based upon crash data available.
It is no wonder that when a car or truck strikes a bicyclist, the injuries are often severe or catastrophic. While many bicyclists wear helmets or take other precautions, the fact remains that bike riders are exposed to the sheer power, force, and weight of a motor vehicle when struck, as well as the hard road surface where the cyclist falls.
Sarasota Bicycle Accident Lawyer Helps Victims
Broken bones, head injury, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and similar critical harms, including death, are common in bicycle accidents. These injuries often have life-changing consequences, and the injured cyclist should not have to bear them when the driver was at fault.
Bicycle accident lawyer David Harris understands how bicycle accident injuries occur and proudly represents you after serious injuries happen. Moreover, in bicycle accident claims and litigation you want experience, focus, and drive. David has them all. Consequently, he moves quickly striving to achieve best results.
Moreover, David actively engages clients in their claims. So, every client knows what is happening and why. Do not delay—time matters. For a free consultation, contact David now.