Many people enjoy riding their bicycles on the road. In Florida, our sunny weather and relatively flat terrain make cycling an ideal activity. Unfortunately, many drivers are not attuned to sharing the roads with bikes, and serious accidents can occur.
If you were involved in a cycling accident that was not your fault, a Kissimmee bicycle accident lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright could help you get fair compensation for your injuries. Doctors, legal colleagues, and other professionals familiar with our work turn to our experienced personal injury attorneys when they or their family members need representation. We value our well-earned reputation as effective, ethical, and compassionate advocates for injured people.
Who Is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident?
Many drivers resent sharing the road with cyclists. When an accident occurs, the driver often claims the cyclist was at fault. However, investigations usually show that motorists are responsible for collisions between vehicles and bicycles.
Florida Statutes § 316.2065 describes cyclists’ obligations on the road. When riding a bike, you must obey all vehicle and traffic laws. You must stay as far to the right as possible, but you are entitled to use a full lane when obstructions, safety hazards, or other circumstances prevent you from riding at the side of the lane.
Bicycle accidents often occur because drivers do not notice cyclists in their peripheral vision. Sometimes, they may even fail to see cyclists in their visual field. A phenomenon called inattentional blindness can prevent a driver from seeing something they were not expecting, even when it is right in front of them. Some drivers intentionally pass too close to cyclists, which can cause a crash.
Our Kissimmee attorneys could investigate your bike accident to collect evidence demonstrating that the driver’s actions were primarily responsible for the incident.
Typical Bike Crash Injuries
When a motor vehicle hits your bicycle, you may suffer significant injuries. You might be propelled over the handlebars and into the vehicle or the ground. You are vulnerable even if an accident occurs at low speeds.
Children and older adults are especially susceptible to catastrophic injuries when they are involved in bike crashes, but any rider can be badly hurt. Our Kissimmee lawyers represent cyclists who have suffered serious injuries in a crash, including the following:
- Debilitating neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Complex fractures
- Disfiguring or blinding facial injuries
- Severe burns from contact with the car’s exhaust pipe
- Traumatic amputations
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you could suffer other life-altering injuries, including severe psychological wounds.
A serious injury to you or your child can be disrupting, disorienting, and expensive. Our legal professionals could ensure you receive appropriate medical care, make arrangements with your creditors to ease any financial strain you might experience, and immediately begin preparing a case to help you obtain fair compensation.
Obtaining Fair Compensation for Your Injuries
When you are injured in an incident that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. These include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Incidental costs
- Future losses such as diminished earning capacity
You can also claim damages for the way the accident affected your quality of life. These are referred to as pain and suffering damages.
If you have severe injuries, the driver’s insurance coverage may not be adequate to fully compensate you. Our proactive team of attorneys in Kissimmee could look for other sources of coverage, such as other involved drivers and the local government where the accident occurred, as well as the manufacturers of the vehicle, your bicycle, and any safety equipment that may have failed.
Our lawyers have secured substantial compensation for individuals injured by defective products. In one case, we obtained $2.5 million for a client who was left quadriplegic after a vehicle rollover.
Contact Our Kissimmee Bicycle Accident Attorneys for Help With Your Case
If you or your child was injured while cycling, it is a good idea to work with a local Kissimmee bicycle accident lawyer. At Colling Gilbert Wright, we are prepared to provide exceptional service and support throughout your recovery until you have obtained fair compensation for your injuries.
We do not collect legal fees or costs unless you receive financial compensation, so you have absolutely nothing to lose. Schedule your free consultation today to discuss your bicycle accident with a member of our team.