Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Why Do You Need a Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Having a Boca Raton bicycle accident lawyer on your side will help you gain the maximum compensation for your losses. You can rest assured that with us by your side, you will not be taken advantage of by insurance companies trying to lowball your bicycle accident claim, and we have the experience needed to go up against any situation you were involved in.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

Safety is the most crucial concern when riding a bicycle and going alongside vehicles significantly larger than you puts you at greater odds of injury if something were to happen. Knowing what to do immediately following a truck accident or other bicycle collision can make all the difference. Here are some steps to take following a bicycle accident.

Call the police – if there are any injuries sustained by either party or damage done, you should call the police. Having an extra set of hands on the scene can be beneficial in determining what the next steps are going to be for both parties. Police are also crucial for getting a statement together.

Exchange information – it is essential to exchange your insurance information with the other party so a claim can be filed. Knowing who to contact about compensation for the incident is essential.

Take pictures to document what happened – Collecting evidence to back your claims is important for insurance purposes. You want to remember as much of the incident as possible since the more information you can give the police, the better equipped they will be to handle the case efficiently.

Get medical attention right away – Even minor bicycle accident injuries should be taken seriously. You may feel ok now because your body is in a state of shock, but as time comes into play, you may find you have a serious injury that is causing discomfort or pain. Consulting with a doctor immediately and having that written evaluation on hand is a crucial piece to your case. Have photos taken of your injuries and keep track of any pain or unusual feelings in the days following the accident. Some common bicycle accident injuries we see bicycle accident victims suffer most often include road rash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken or fractured bones.

Talk to a lawyer – Insurance companies will manipulate what you say. A lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies so you are not tricked into saying the wrong thing unintentionally. Hire a bicycle accident expert to investigate the accident and fight for your rights.

Contact your insurance company – report the incident to your insurance company to get a claim going. Make sure that you are prepared for any questions that you may be asked before contacting them.

Most Common Causes of Boca Raton Bicycle Accidents

Part of holding the liable party accountable is filing a claim with their insurance company. To do so, you will need to prove that negligence caused the collision. You must show that the driver is responsible for your bike accident and losses. Showing what the cause of the accident was is half of the battle.

These are common causes of bicycle accidents:

• Driving at excessive speeds
• Tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Turning without looking
• Driving impaired
• Improper bike lane changing
• Running a red light or rolling through a stop sign
• Failure to yield

Driving at excessive speeds

When drivers go at excessive speeds, their stopping time is greatly diminished. This, in turn, decreases the time you have to make decisions. High-speed accidents typically result in more severe injuries that can cause traumatic brain injury. For a cyclist, even low-speed collisions can be potentially life-threatening. Your bike accident attorney at our firm will analyze the cause of your accident to bring the negligent driver to justice so you do not get stuck covering the costs of your medical bills or other damages.

Tailgating

When a driver is closely following a bicycle or any vehicle on the road, for that matter, they create the potential for hazardous situations. These drivers are more likely to come into contact with cyclists. The ability to avoid a collision altogether is greatly diminished when tailgating comes into play if excessive speeds are involved than the chances of a crash being avoided.

Distracted Driving

When it comes to injuries that involve people riding bikes, distracted driving is a leading cause of all types of collisions with vehicles. A dangerous encounter comes from not paying attention because your focus is elsewhere. Some typical distractions that cause accidents are opening text messages and responding to them, calling friends and engaging in detailed conversations, and going onto social media to make posts or see what others are up to.

Turning without looking

When a driver has a green light and is turning through an intersection or onto an opposing street, they are still obligated to check for pedestrians and cyclists that share the space with them. While it is undoubtedly unavoidable, drivers turning without ensuring no bicyclists are in the way leads to many bicycle accidents.

Driving impaired

When you choose to drink or take drugs and then get into your car, you are putting yourself, as well as others, at risk. The chance of getting into an accident while being impaired by alcohol or drugs significantly reduces a person’s ability to react to their environment in time to avoid accidents. Impaired driving results in many collisions involving cyclists each year

Improper lane changing

You don’t have to be driving recklessly or weaving through traffic to cause an accident. Making an improper lane change can be as dangerous as winding through lanes. Improper lane changing leads to bicyclists having a driver merge into them, knowing them to the ground. This can be because the driver was not making sure their road was safe or because of a blind spot, but either way, it is up to the driver to be aware of what’s happening around them. If they don’t, a bicycle accident attorney at our firm will be ready to bring them to justice.

Running a red light or rolling through a stop sign

Red lights are put in place to keep order on the road, but they are often ignored or improperly followed. This failure to adhere to the rules of a red light often is the cause of intersection accidents. This affects all areas of the country where cars drive. Running a light or stop sign is dangerous, and when you combine that with failing to look for cyclists, the risks are magnified.

Failure to yield

Failing to yield is another reckless driving habit that can be extremely dangerous for bicycle riders. Whether at a roundabout or a light at the intersection where lanes begin to merge, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic, including any bicycles.

No matter the situation you are facing, if you suffered severe injuries due to a bicycle accident involving a car or any other form of vehicle, it is crucial that you contact a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Call or visit us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Boca Raton attorneys today.

FAQs

Who is usually at fault if a bicycle is involved in an accident?

You may think the bicycle rider would be at fault if they hit a car, but that is not always true. It does not need a wrongful death claim to be the driver’s fault. The driver can be at fault for any minor or significant accident they are involved in. The liable party will vary depending on the situation.

Can I sue if I get hit by a car on my bike in Florida?

Yes, you can file a claim with help from a bike accident lawyer if you are involved in a car accident while on your bicycle. A bicyclist has the same rights as any vehicles involved and can hold any at-fault parties liable for any damage resulting from a car accident.

Contact A Bicycle Accidents Attorney In Boca Raton Today For Assistance

If the intimidation of going to court and having to face the person who altered your life forever in a courtroom is an overwhelming thought, you are not the only one that feels this. Many people often second guess themselves and the legitimacy of their personal injury case, so they question filing a claim with their insurance company for many different personal reasons.

It would be in your best interest to contact our personal injury lawyers to guide you through the entirety of the judicial process. We will give you legal support and advice from an experienced Boca Raton bicycle accident lawyer.

If you want to learn more about what you may be entitled to for compensation in your personal injury claim, contact us at The Law Offices of Scott J. Senft. Not only will our bicycle accident attorneys fight for you to bring you the justice you deserve, but our personal injury attorneys will make sure the liable party is not let off the hook for their actions. Please fill out our convenient contact form please or call our office today to set up a no-cost, risk-free consultation with one of the top personal injury law firms in Boca Raton.