With the amazing weather we enjoy in New Port Richey, many people prefer riding a bicycle over driving a car when possible. However, bicycle riding can also be dangerous, and riders can be seriously injured when motor vehicles don’t yield the right of way. If you were injured while riding your bicycle in our beautiful area, reach out to a skilled New Port Richey bicycle accident lawyer at Dolman Law Group for a free consultation to learn how we can protect your legal rights.
We will listen to your personal bike accident circumstances and explain your legal rights under Florida law. We’ll determine who was at fault and also review your medical condition and all of your related financial losses to determine the compensation you might be able to recover from whoever is responsible for your injuries.
With offices conveniently located in New Port Richey, along with St. Petersburg and Clearwater, it’s easy to connect with the compassionate personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group. Also, since we don’t charge for initial case reviews and there are no upfront legal fees, you won’t pay a penny to start protecting your legal rights. At Dolman Law Group, you have nothing to lose and so much to gain by calling (727) 477-9660 today.
How Often Do Bicycle Crashes Happen in New Port Richey?
Whether heading to work, following a favorite nature trail, or getting some serious exercise, bike riding is a common pastime on the western coast near the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Florida metro area. Last year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 8,400 bicycle crashes, 226 bike-related fatalities, and almost 7,900 injuries from bike crashes. In Pasco County alone, we saw 235 bicycle crashes that injured 223 people and killed 10 riders. The most dangerous months for bike accidents ran from December to April, with more than 20 bicycle crashes each month.
Previous studies by the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Safety Plan, prepared by The Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of Southern Florida, showed that Florida bicycle fatality rates were nearly triple the national average. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts reported that Florida had one of the highest bicycle fatality rates, increasing from 0.40 fatalities per 100,000 people to 0.63.
Further, although Florida represents approximately 6.5 percent of the U.S. population, it accounts for 17.4 percent of all U.S. bicycle fatalities. Riders aged 50 to 59 are the most likely to suffer serious injuries from a bike crash and the majority of accidents happen in urban areas. If you were injured by a motor vehicle driver while riding your bicycle, contact our New Port Richey Bicycle Accident Lawyers to learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Statistics show that most vehicle-bicycle accidents are caused by negligent vehicle drivers. Bicycles can be hard to see, and even when they are using designated bike lanes, car and truck drivers often don’t give them the right of way as required by law. Even in a minor collision, the bicyclist is always in much greater danger and more susceptible to serious harm and injury than someone who is protected by the frame of a car or truck.
The most common cause of bike crashes is vehicle driver negligence. These situations may arise from:
- Distracted driving – when a driver takes their eyes off the road or hands off the wheel, even for a split second, they can cause an accident. Texting while driving is one of the most common situations that lead to crashes.
- Speeding – vehicles take much longer to slow down or stop when exceeding the speed limit. Also, drivers don’t have as much time to react to a hazard or avoid a crash at high speeds.
- Failure to yield the right of way – since bicycles usually have the same right to use the road as motorized vehicles, they deserve the right of way in some situations. When a driver cuts off a bike rider, they can be seriously injured.
- Aggressive driving – weaving in and out of traffic, sudden lane changes, and other forms of road rage can lead to dangerous situations and bad outcomes for cyclists.
- Heavy traffic – if a car driver can’t see a rider due to traffic, they might change lanes into the cyclist or cut them off without realizing they are there.
- Disobeying traffic signals – trying to beat a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign puts all other vehicles, bicycles, and even pedestrians at risk of harm.
- Dooring – when a car driver or passenger opens their door without checking for bicyclists first, the rider can hit the open door and be thrown from their bike or otherwise face serious impact injuries.
Also, poor road conditions can cause a cyclist to lose control of their bike and fall into traffic or the path of an oncoming vehicle. Different people or entities may be responsible for the bike rider’s injuries and financial losses in each of these situations.
A skilled bicycle crash attorney at Dolman Law Group can perform an investigation to determine exactly how your accident occurred and who may be held responsible for your losses. Our team has the resources and experience to identify all at-fault parties and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Injuries the Dolman Law Group Bike Accident Lawyers Can Handle
Because of the lack of physical protection, when a bicyclist is involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, the rider’s injuries can range from cuts and bruises to death. Very few bike riders walk away from a car or truck accident without serious injuries. The bicycle accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group can help resolve cases that include a wide range of medical conditions and concerns.
Common injuries we see after a New Port Richey bicycle accident include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injuries
- Facial and teeth injuries
What Florida Traffic Laws Apply to Both Motor Vehicles and Bicycles?
Although bicycles are not considered motor vehicles, they are subject to some of the same rules of the road. Unfortunately, many car drivers don’t respect bike riders’ rights and fail to allow the space needed to avoid a collision.
Drivers must know, understand, and obey the laws that protect bicyclists, including:
- Right to a lane: In all fifty states, a bicycle has the right to a full traffic lane on the road, and a motor vehicle is not allowed to prevent a bicyclist from using a full lane.
- Sidewalk driving can be dangerous: Statistically, cycling on the sidewalk is the most dangerous as it involves crossing driveways. Motor vehicle drivers must always double-check for bicycles (and pedestrians) when pulling into or out of a driveway.
- Traffic signs: Both vehicle drivers and bicyclists must observe traffic signs and signals.
- Florida law: In the state of Florida, Title XXIII, chapter 316 discusses bicycle law and specifically refers to the requirement that bicycle riders and passengers under 16 must wear helmets.
Trust the New Port Richey Bicycle Accident Attorneys at Dolman Law Group to Protect Your Rights
After a bike crash, many questions will race through your mind…
- How badly am I hurt?
- Will I recover from my injuries?
- Will I be able to return to work?
- How will I pay my medical bills, let alone my regular living expenses?
- Is the driver who hit me responsible for paying my accident expenses?
- Who can I trust to help me through this overwhelming situation?
The compassionate legal team at Dolman Law Group can guide you through the injury and insurance claims process and fight for your legal rights while you focus on your recovery. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, it is important to speak to a New Port Richey personal injury attorney in one of our many office locations as soon as possible. Call our New Port Richey office today at (727) 477-9660 or complete our online contact form for your free consultation.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA – New Port Richey Office
5924 Main St
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 477-9660
References:
[2] https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.2065.html
[3] Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Facts