Car v. Bicyclist Accidents

Florida is the deadliest state in the nation for bicycle accidents – and the only state to post more than 100 cycling deaths, year after year. In 2009, a total of 109 riders were killed in Florida cycling accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Thousands more were seriously injured.

The Fort Myers accident lawyers at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner understand the devastating consequences these accidents have for families. The increasing popularity of cycling for recreation and fitness has made middle-aged men the most likely victim. Frequently the primary wage earner, and often left with very serious debilitating injuries, the result can be financial devastation.

As is the case with pedestrian accidents, available insurance coverage may not adequately compensate a victim for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and rehabilitative care. And hit-and-run accidents may leave a victim with no one to blame and no visible means of recovery.

If you or a loved one is injured in a bicycle accident, it’s imperative that you speak to an experienced accident attorney in Fort Myers as soon as possible. At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we will assemble a team to investigate your case and seek the maximum compensation available under the law. In some cases, that may require us to seek a judgment against the personal assets of an at-fault driver. In other cases, we may be able to make a recovery from insurance policies on other vehicles in the household or through your own insurance carrier.

Florida Bicycle Safety Tips

Riders:

• Wear a helmet every time you ride.
• Obey the same rules as passenger vehicles.
• Ride the same direction as traffic.
• Wear brightly colored clothing and use reflectors.

Drivers:

• Share the road.
• Be courteous – Allow at least three feet of clearance.
• Look before opening car doors.
• Yield to cyclists at Intersections.
• Watch for cyclists when making turns.

While motorcycle riders face some of the same threats due to their small size and vulnerability, cyclists also deal with a lack of respect that is unique. Motorists often become annoyed with riders. A number of states have enacted laws making it illegal to crowd cyclists or otherwise intimidate them. Unfortunately, Florida is not one of them.

There is much work yet to be done when it comes to cycling safety. With bike share programs moving out of the large cities like New York and into areas like West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, the popularity of cycling in South Florida will continue to grow. These companies – as well as companies that rent bikes to tourists on Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach — share responsibility for working to ensure rider safety.

But when a rider is seriously injured or killed, consulting an experienced law firm is critical to protecting your rights and fighting for the resources necessary to make a recovery.

800-646-1210 – Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner – Focused on Justice

Florida Bicycle Accidents

• 75 percent occur during daylight hours.
• 70 percent occur in urban areas.
• Most occur at non-intersections.
• 1 in 4 occurs between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Nearly half occur between 4 p.m. and midnight.
• Average age of a cyclist killed is 39.
• Average age of a cyclist injured is 29.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.