If you are involved in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s your right to seek financial compensation for injuries and damages from the at-fault party. This compensation can help cushion you from the financial implications of the accident, which might include medical bills and career challenges. A Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyer can help you with the legal process.
Our law firm, Dolman Law Group, seeks big firm results while offering small firm personal attention. We believe that every bicycle accident victim deserves fair compensation to help them get back on their feet. As a result, we offer our new bicycle accident clients a free case consultation.
Bicycle Accident Injuries Are Serious – and You Could Seek Compensation
While most people might picture bicycle accidents as mild and harmless, nothing can be further from the truth. Bicycle accidents can cause severe injuries since cyclists have little protection.
As a result, the road to recovery from bicycle accident injuries can be long and painful. Recovery may involve expensive medical attention and physical therapy. Some injuries can even cause lifelong disability.
You could seek compensation for the cost of your recovery. Your damages could include:
- Medical bills: This may include visits to a doctor, follow-up care, emergency visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitation, and more. You could seek a recovery for your past, present, and future care needs.
- Lost income: If you lost paychecks or your ability to earn income will be affected into the future, you could seek compensation.
- Pain and suffering: Your physical pain or emotional challenges could be serious, and compensation could be available.
You could be entitled to seek additional forms of damages. Our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys can explain your options for a recovery.
How Can Dolman Law Group Help?
If you or someone close to you has been involved in a bicycle accident, look no further. At Dolman Law Group, we are passionate about our clients and do all we can to help them get the resources they need to get back to their lives.
We will:
- Protect your legal right to seek compensation
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Handle all conversations with insurance companies and other parties
- Negotiate a fair settlement for you
- Take your case to trial if necessary
- Advise you of important laws that could affect your case
You shouldn’t have to handle the legal details while you’re suffering from painful injuries. We can deal with your case while you focus on recovering.
How Can I Protect My Rights to Compensation?
You can do several things after a bicycle accident in Jacksonville to protect your rights to compensation.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You might be tempted to forgo medical assistance if you consider your injuries minor. However, that might be detrimental to your case because it might be argued that you were not really hurt. Furthermore, some injuries might not display immediate signs but could lead to long-term complications if left untreated.
Consider Your Legal Options
Don’t be quick to settle with the insurance company before talking to an attorney’s team. Although it can be difficult to understand your options for seeking legal compensation, you can take advantage of a free consultation to discuss your case and the possible next steps.
What Forms of Negligence Lead to Bicycle Accidents?
Cars, trucks, buses, and even motorcycles can strike a cyclist when the driver engages in negligent behavior behind the wheel. In some circumstances, defective equipment can be responsible for the accident, as can bad roads, barricades, and construction equipment.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently ran a study that reveals most vehicle-bicycle accidents happen on higher-speed roadways and at intersections.
Some common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Driving while texting or distracted
- Motorists using bicycle lanes
- Fatigued driving
- Reckless driving
- Driving while intoxicated
Unfortunately, some drivers may tailgate cyclists intentionally. If this happens and causes an injury, it crosses the line of simple negligence and may constitute criminal behavior.
Who Is Liable for My Bicycle Injuries?
To make a successful bicycle accident claim, you need to understand who was at fault. First, your lawyer will carefully analyze the details of your accident to determine fault. Then, to prove liability, they’ll establish the at-fault party’s negligence by demonstrating they owed you a duty of care. They will also prove that they ignored that duty by causing the accident that led to your injuries.
Here are a few potential liable parties in a bicycle accident:
Negligent Motorist Striking a Cyclist
Motorists owe a duty of care to other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone else who shares the roadways with them. If the driver neglected that duty by driving while distracted, using bicycle lanes, driving while intoxicated, or any other negligent behavior, their breach of duty caused the accident. As a result, the driver and their insurance company will have liability for your damages.
A Government Entity Failing to Maintain the Roadways
If a hazardous roadway caused your bicycle accident, your lawyer could pursue the municipality responsible for the road maintenance or the construction company responsible for the hazard.
A Defective Bicycle Product
Alternatively, if a defective bicycle product led to your accident, your lawyer can explore the option of pursuing the bicycle manufacturer for negligence.
How Can Comparative Negligence Affect My Jacksonville Bicycle Accident Case?
Because Florida’s legal system follows comparative negligence principles, the at-fault party can argue that you contributed to the accident by riding carelessly or violating the law. In such a case, if they provide proof that you contributed to the accident, it may reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault.
For example, if the settlement award is $200,000 and you were 10% at fault, you could receive $180,000. Not to worry, though, as you could still seek compensation as long as you were not primarily at fault.
Furthermore, your lawyer can conduct their own investigation to counter the adjuster’s determination of fault. We aim to prevent the at-fault party from undervaluing or denying your case, even if you shared blame for the accident.
Call Dolman Law Group for a Free Case Review
Finding a bicycle accident lawyer in Jacksonville can be challenging. Consequently, we provide a free consultation to answer all your questions and explain your options.
Call Dolman Law Group today at (727) 451-6900 and access our bicycle accident attorneys in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Office
12574 Flagler Center Blvd.;
Suite 101
Jacksonville, FL 32258
Phone: (904) 441-6903