Tampa Bike Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Bike Accident? Hire a Tampa Bike Crash Attorney to Get the Compensation You Deserve!
Injuries involving bike-on-car crashes can be catastrophic for cyclists. If you’ve sustained an injury in a bike accident, it’s helpful to reach out to the Tampa personal injury lawyers at Williams Law, P.A. to see how we can help you understand your legal options for your Tampa bike crash injury. Our Tampa bike accident attorneys have been representing bicyclists in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years, and we know what it takes to get the compensation you need to make a full and last recovery. If you or a loved one have been involved in a bike accident in Tampa, our attorneys can help. Contact us today for a FREE initial consultation to see how we can help you with your case!
Cars have a legal obligation to “share the road” with bicyclists. Unfortunately, not every driver follows these rules. Bicyclists incur injury on America’s roadways every year. In 2015, nearly 45,000 bicyclists were injured and an additional 838 lost their lives while riding their bikes.
Common Causes of Tampa Bike Accidents
Bike-related injuries occur far too often on Tampa roads. Typically, it’s a car doing the damage in these accidents and the biker is the one sustaining the most injuries. Most bike accident injuries in Tampa are caused by negligent drivers who:
- Open a car door in the way of a passing cyclist
- Do not leave enough room between their car and bicyclist
- Fail to yield to bike riders in intersections
- Fail to stop at stop signs
- Enter the designated bike lane illegally
- Drive while intoxicated
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Tampa
Bike accidents can be scary, especially when they involve cars. If you find yourself injured after a biking accident, take these basic steps to protect yourself and, possibly, your legal case:
- Wait for the police to arrive. If possible, wait for the police so you can file an accident report. Make sure to file the report, even if the incident seems minor.
- Explain your version of events in a police report. Report all your injuries to the responding police officer and provide as many supporting details as possible for the accident report. This is an official document, so be thorough.
- Get contact information from witnesses and the driver. If possible, obtain the name of the driver who hit you, as well as his or her address and phone number. Ask for contact information for the witnesses at the scene, as well – don’t assume the responding police officer will do it for you.
- Take photos of the accident, if possible. Document everything you can – the accident scene, your injuries, and property damage.
- Seek medical care. Even if your injuries are minor, get immediate medical care. Accidents between cars and bicycles are notoriously devastating, and some injuries can take hours or days for the injured party to feel.
- Preserve evidence, as applicable. You might want to fix your bike and get back on the road, but don’t fix anything right away. Save your damaged clothing, helmet, and bike. Don’t send any equipment to anyone but your own attorney.
- Don’t sign any paperwork. If an insurance company approaches you with an offer, don’t sign it unless your attorney has reviewed it.
- Contact a Tampa bike accident lawyer. If you sustained injuries, an attorney with experience handling bike accident injuries is your best bet in dealing with insurance companies and getting the compensation you need for your recovery.
Who’s at Fault for the Bicycle Accident?
Like other personal injury cases, determining who is at fault is a crucial element of a bicycle accident case. The following principles play a role in determining fault in a bicycle accident:
- Road sharing. Bicyclists and motorists both have a legal obligation to “share the road” and must follow all applicable traffic laws and keep a lookout for other hazards.
- Reasonable care. This legal term refers to the failure to do something that a “reasonably careful” person might do. For example, drivers might commit negligence if they were speeding when they hit a bicycle.
Florida’s “No-Fault” Insurance Rules
Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means you won’t have to prove someone was legally liable for your injuries to collect benefits. Florida law requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage on their insurance policies. If you’re in an accident with another driver, you’ll use this coverage to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and other applicable expenses.
The downside of no-fault insurance is that it limits your ability to pursue other forms of legal recourse, like a personal injury lawsuit. You may still be able to collect damages from an at-fault motorist if you meet certain conditions (i.e., incur a certain amount of medical bills and other damages).
