Pinellas County Bicycle Accident Lawyer
The dangers of riding a bicycle alongside high-speed vehicles are very clear. If you or a loved one have been involved a bicycle accident, you should contact a Pinellas County bike accident attorney immediately. A Pinellas County personal injury attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve and get you back on the road.
Bicycling Considerations
Too often vehicles drive as if the road belonged solely to them. However, under Florida law, it does not. If the driver of a car is not distracted, a bicyclist is inherently difficult to see on the road compared to another car.
Florida law mandates that “Every person propelling a vehicle by human power has all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle”. One clear exception is that the minimum insurance requirements applicable to motor vehicles do not apply to bicycles.
In addition to this general framework, a bicyclist is obliged to drive as close as practicable to the right-hand side of the road or in the designated bike lane if one exists (Fl. Stat. 316.2065(5)(a)). The law also requires a bicycle being operated at night to be equipped with a headlamp, and, if the rider is under the age of 16, the rider must wear a helmet.
Proving Negligence
To recover in a bicycle accident, a person or their Pinellas County bike accident lawyer, must prove the negligence of the other driver was the direct cause of their accident and their injuries, as in any personal injury case. In the context of a bicycle accident involving cars, the motorist or their insurer may attempt to argue that the bicyclist caused the accident, either by failing to stay to the side of the road, traveling against traffic, driving erratically, or otherwise.
It is important to gather as much evidence as possible to support a case and also to obtain a police report to document the exact circumstances of the accident.
First Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
There are several things a person can and should do immediately following a bicycle accident that will help in any possible future litigation that arises:
- Get medical attention as soon possible
- Report the incident to the police
- Collect information from the other people involved in the accident
- Stay at the scene in order to ensure that proper procedures are followed
- Do not make any admission of fault
- Contact a Pinellas County bicycle accident attorney
Following these steps will be a great help to their lawyer in court and will also assist in dealing with the insurance companies.
Contacting a Pinellas County Bicycle Accident Attorney
Before speaking to the driver’s insurance company or attempting to settle with the other side, you should talk with a Pinellas County bicycle accident lawyer who can evaluate your case, determine what your injuries are worth, and guide you through the process.
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, please contact a Pinellas Country bike accident attorney today for assistance.