If you sustained serious injuries in a bicycle accident in Port St. Lucie, you may require extensive medical treatment and specialized care. If you cannot work because of your injuries, you may have a stack of bills piling up and no way to pay them.
Suppose your accident occurred because of someone’s negligence. In that case, you owe it to yourself to hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions and pursue a financial settlement claim for your Port St. Lucie personal injuries.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine offer a free consultation with a Port St. Lucie bicycle accident lawyer.
The Leading Causes Of Bicycle Accidents In Port St. Lucie
In Florida, most bicycle accidents and injuries occur in one of three scenarios:
- Collisions with motorists, pedestrians, or other cyclists
- Wrecks caused by defective bicycle parts
- Accidents resulting from poor road conditions or obstructions
Bicycle Accidents Caused By Motorists
Cyclists in Port St. Lucie regularly share the road safely with other riders as well as motorists and pedestrians. However, if a motorist fails to exercise a reasonable standard of care while driving, it can lead to a serious injury accident. For cyclists, the outcome can be life-threatening or even fatal.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), motorists can cause accidents with bicyclists because they drive in bike lanes or fail to yield to the cyclist’s right of way. In addition, drivers may be impaired, distracted, or tired. They may also fail to obey speed limit signs, directional signage, or traffic laws.
Bicycle Accidents Caused By Defective Products
Some cyclists suffer severe injuries when a component of their bike fails due to defective design or manufacturing practices. Tires, brakes, and even the bicycle frame itself can fail, putting you directly in harm’s way. In other cases, the manufacturer or retailer may have failed to warn you of a recall or provide you with adequate instructions for product use.
Bicycle Accidents Caused By Road Hazards
Some bicycle accidents may occur because of poorly maintained roadways and hazards. An unmarked pothole, for example, can pose a significant danger to cyclists. Construction equipment and barricades can lead to cycling accidents, as can downed limbs or branches. In some cases, road hazards can cause vehicle crashes that involve nearby cyclists.
How To Respond To A Bicycle Accident In Port St. Lucie
Understanding what steps to take following a bicycle accident in Port St. Lucie can feel challenging. Fortunately, it’s a challenge you do not have to meet on your own. You can reach out to a professional lawyer to receive advice about each step of the process.
We often break down the aftermath of a bicycle accident into stages, including:
Immediately After Your Accident
You can take some steps to build your claim before you ever leave the scene of your accident. If possible, ensure that you:
- Contact the police and report what happened
- Provide police officers with a statement
- Get pictures of your injuries and the scene of the accident
- Collect contact information from witnesses and people involved in the accident
- Seek medical care for your injuries
- Reach out to a lawyer for further guidance
The faster you secure help on your side, the sooner you can increase your confidence levels. We’re proud to take on all your legal needs so you can turn your attention to recovering from your injuries. Find out more by reaching out to us today.
In The Days Following An Accident
In the days after your collision, you may primarily focus on receiving medical care. Bicycle accidents may result in serious injuries that prevent you from returning to work. During your recovery, insurance agents may contact you to speak about the accident.
We recommend that you do not speak with insurance agents representing the other driver until you’ve talked to a lawyer. Insurance agents often try to blame you for the accident as they work to protect their company’s bottom line.
Avoid taking an initial settlement offer until your lawyer has assessed it on your behalf. You may also want to decline any requests for a recorded interview. Ask a lawyer about your best steps before talking to insurance representatives.
In The Weeks After A Bike Accident
As time moves on after your accident, your lawyer begins to build your claim. This can involve investigating what happened, speaking with witnesses, and more. We’ll keep you up-to-date every step of the way.
You can always reach out to us if you have questions about the progress of your case. We work with the goal of resolving your claim either with a settlement or through a court case.
What To Avoid After A Bike Accident
In addition to reviewing the steps that can help you claim after a bike accident in Port St. Lucie, we understand the importance of taking certain precautions.
After your accident, make sure you do not admit fault for the collision to the other involved parties or insurance agents. We also recommend against posting about the accident on social media.
Learn more about the suggested methods to handle a bike accident by reaching out to our team.
Bicycle Accidents Result In Devastating Injuries
Because bicycle accidents can involve one or more motor vehicles, cyclists face a significant risk of life-threatening or fatal injuries.
Bicycle accidents commonly lead to a variety of significant injuries, including the following:
- Lacerations, bruises, “road rash”
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Soft tissue injuries
- Facial trauma
- Concussion
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck injury
- Spine and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Loss of limbs or digits
- Paralysis
- Death
Due to the extreme physical trauma a bicycle accident victim may sustain, they may require emergency transport, treatment, and surgical intervention. Extended hospital stays are common, as are lengthy periods of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Some victims sustain long-term or permanent injury, requiring home care and assistive mobility devices.
Determining The Value Of A Bicycle Accident Claim
To determine how much your bicycle accident claim may be worth, our legal team will include some or all of the following items:
- Medical care costs – including all treatment-related costs to date and estimated costs of your future treatment and care needs
- Lost wages, benefits, and opportunities – including your lost wages and benefits to date as well as the estimated value of future income, benefits, and opportunities losses
- Property damage – typically the cost of your bike, safety equipment, and any personal property lost or destroyed in the accident
- Mental and emotional damage – including pain and suffering, loss of life’s enjoyment, mental anguish, and loss of consortium
If you sustained permanent damage or disability, we will also include the value of your loss. In some cases, you may receive punitive damages following a bicycle accident. These damages focus on punishing the individual who caused your accident.
Trust A Bicycle Accident Lawyer In Port St. Lucie For Help
The compassionate legal professionals at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine understand the pain and fear you have endured and the worry you have for your future.
We are dedicated to helping our Port St. Lucie bicycle accident clients get the financial compensation they deserve for their injuries. We will begin by investigating the accident to determine who had fault for your injuries and prove liability by demonstrating the legal elements of negligence:
- The at-fault party owed you a reasonable duty of care to protect your safety on the roadway.
- The at-fault party violated (or breached) their duty of reasonable care.
- By breaching their duty of care, the at-fault party’s actions directly led to your injury.
- Because of the at-fault party’s actions, you suffered provable damages.
Once we establish liability, we will work tirelessly to build and submit your bicycle accident injury claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company. We will aggressively pursue negotiations with the insurer’s claims adjusters and attorneys to obtain a fair settlement for your damages.
If the insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer, we will evaluate the benefits of filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation. If we decide together to move forward, we will build the strongest possible case to present in court.
Throughout the process, we will protect your legal rights, answer your questions, and help you explore your options. We will ensure you have access to the resources you need for medical treatment, so you can relax and focus on your recovery.
Free Consultations With A Bicycle Accident Lawyer In Port St. Lucie, FL
Before you make any decisions about your future or give any statements to the insurance company, we encourage you to take advantage of the complimentary consultation and case evaluation we offer to Port St. Lucie bicycle accident victims.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we know that your future health and well-being depend on having the resources you need to pay your bills and obtain comprehensive medical care. We are dedicated to answering all your questions and providing the information you need to make an informed decision about your future.
Contact us today online to learn more.
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