Indiantown Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When cyclists set out on Indiantown roads, they assume that motorists will adhere to the rules of the road and afford them the same courtesies as they do other drivers. However, if a motorist acts negligently and causes a bicycle crash, the cyclist could be left with serious, life-altering injuries. Call an Indiantown bicycle accident lawyer today to discuss what legal recovery you may be entitled in the wake of a collision with a motorist.

A personal injury attorney at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa can help you receive the compensation you may be entitled to for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other consequential damages from your cycling accident.

Common Bike Wreck Injuries

The following are among the most common injuries sustained in bicycle wrecks:

• Face and eye
• Abdominal contusions and ruptures
• Punctured lungs
• Lacerations and bruising
• Neck and back
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Frequent Causes of Cycling Crashes in Indiantown

There are numerous potential factors which may cause a bicycle crash. Some of the most common include driving while under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Bicycle accidents can also be attributed to texting while driving, failure to follow a traffic device, illegal turns, or switching lanes improperly. Adhering to the traffic laws in place can help avoid a collision, but cyclists cannot control what decisions other motorists make.

Indiantown Bicycle Accident Laws

Florida law establishes strict regulations for bicyclists on roadways, as outlined under Florida Statutes §316.2065. These include the following mandates:

• Bicyclists may not transport more than the maximum passenger amount the bike is designed to carry
• Bicyclists must adhere to all traffic signals and controls
• Bicyclists must keep at least one hand on the bars while operating the bike
• Bicyclists should use a regular seat when operating the bike
• All bikes must feature a brake enabling the rider to come to a stop within 25 feet
• Bicyclists must operate their bike on the right side of the roadway as close to the curb as is possible
• Bicyclists riding side by side must remain in one lane and not inhibit the flow of traffic

Filing Deadlines

Florida Statutes §95.11 affords personal injury victims, including those hurt in a bicycle crash, four years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. An Indiantown attorney can help a bicycle crash victim adhere to the deadline and strengthen the case for compensation by filing before the four-year window closes.

Shared Liability Laws

If the at-fault driver alleges that the bicyclist shares fault for the accident, Florida courts follow the pure comparative negligence doctrine to determine how to award compensatory damages. Under this doctrine, an injury victim can still recover compensation in cases where legal blame is shared, even if their percentage of fault exceeds that of the defendant. However, any percentage of fault assigned to the plaintiff would reduce their award of damages accordingly.

Recovering Compensation for Personal Injuries

When a bicyclist is injured by a motorist, an Indiantown accident lawyer must prove the four elements of negligence in order to pursue a valid claim for the plaintiff’s compensation. These elements are duty, breach, causation, and damages.

Drivers have a legal duty to other motorists on the roadway to follow all traffic laws and operate their vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner. If a driver breaches that duty causing a bicycle accident, and the bicyclist consequently suffers injuries and other losses from the event, the negligent driver can be held legally responsible for the damage. Compensable losses could include lost income from missing work, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of life enjoyment.

Schedule a Case Consultation with an Indiantown Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

Establishing negligence in a bicycle wreck case and holding the responsible parties legally accountable for their misconduct can prove to be a considerable challenge on your own. An Indiantown bicycle accident lawyer can provide the tireless advocacy you need to pursue justice from those at fault and to recover your compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Schedule your case consultation with an Indiantown attorney at Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa today.