Bicycle Accident Attorney in Gainesville
Every year, there are thousands of bicycle accidents in Florida. Often, those accidents have serious consequences. In Gainesville alone, there were at least four fatal bike accidents in 2016. Countless others resulted in injuries.
The cyclists aren’t usually the ones to blame for the accidents. In many cases, another motorist is responsible. If someone caused you to crash, you should contact a bicycle accident attorney in Gainesville. Abercrombie, P.A wants to fight for you to get compensation for your accident.
Can You Prevent Cycling Accidents?
There is no way to completely protect yourself from a negligent or reckless driver. However, there are some ways in which you can make your cycling experience safer. All of the following are smart preventative measures you can take:
- Wear a helmet, regardless of your age. With a helmet, you may be able to prevent a traumatic brain injury.
- Check your brakes to make sure they function properly. If they don’t work, you are more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Be cautious when you’re next to vehicles. If you’re approaching an intersection, slow down and look for other vehicles.
- Use lighting and reflectors to make yourself visible at night.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.
- Don’t allow yourself to be distracted from the road.
Unfortunately, you could be extremely cautious and still find yourself involved in an accident. You can’t control other drivers. When someone acts in an unexpected way or ignores the rules of the road, they put you at risk.
Who is Liable for Your Accident?
Liability is an important part of any accident case. If someone else was liable for your biking accident, they could be held financially responsible. After your accident, you should contact an attorney to find out whether or not someone else was to blame.
In most situations, this is the case. Common causes of bike accidents include driver negligence, faulty equipment, and poor roads. Less frequently, uncontrollable issues such as an animal attack or bad weather can cause the accident. Typically, there is some type of negligence at play.
For another party to be liable, they needed to have acted in a reckless or negligent way. The other driver could fail to yield to you or fail to stop at a red light. By ignoring the law, they were negligent. You can file a personal injury claim against the other party. As a result, you may be able to receive money for your medical bills, missed paychecks, and more.
If a faulty road was the cause of your accident, you may still be able to file a lawsuit. A government entity could have failed to provide the necessary repairs or maintenance to the roads. A lawsuit could hold them responsible. However, there are some specific laws regarding the deadline for filing and the way in which you file.
What If You Are to Blame?
Liability in bike accidents isn’t always black and white. In some cases, the cyclist and the driver are both partially responsible for the accident.
Fortunately, Florida state laws still allow you to file a personal injury claim. The state court relies on contributory negligence. As such, you can file a claim even if you are partially to blame. You can receive a percentage of the total compensation, and that percentage is the total amount minus your proportion of fault.
Common Injuries in Bike Accidents
Because cyclists don’t have a large steel frame protecting them in a collision, they tend to suffer from serious injuries in accidents. Without a seatbelt, riders can also be thrown from their bicycle and hit the ground or another object with force. They can experience any of the following:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
While some of the injuries are less serious, others can be life-threatening. They can also affect you for the rest of your life. For instance, a brain injury could leave you with permanent memory loss. A spinal cord injury could cause you to be confined to a wheelchair.
Even if your injuries are minor, you can suffer. You might miss months of work as you attempt to recover. Furthermore, the cost of your medical bills could cause financial distress.
Working with a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Gainesville
Whether or not your injuries are life-threatening, you may be able to seek compensation for your accident. To do so, you need to take legal action. Here at Abercrombie, P.A., our firm can help you. We want to hear more about your accident and want to advise you on how to handle the aftermath. Contact us today for assistance or information.
