Thousands of people in the Clearwater area ride bicycles on a daily basis, both as form of transportation as well as form recreation an exercise. As is the case with any metropolitan area in the United States, people who bike in Clearwater often do so in close proximity to cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles, creating a significant risk of an accident.
According to the Florida Department Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicates1that there were more than 6,000 bicyclists injured in Florida during 2012. These kinds of accidents often leave bicyclists seriously injured, which can often entitle them to significant financial compensation. For this reason, it is important for anyone involved in a bicycle accident to talk to a lawyer about their case as soon as possible. Call the Dolman Law Group today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Clearwater bicycle accident attorney.
Carelessness can entitle bicycle accident victims to financial recovery
Driving a motor vehicle is an inherently dangerous activity. Cars and trucks can often weigh thousands of pounds and can cause serious injury when they collide with other vehicles, people, or structures. As a result, motorists have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and in a way that does not pose an unreasonable risk of injury to others. In many cases, careless behavior will be deemed legally negligent, which means that anyone hurt by the careless conduct may be entitled to recover compensation for their losses. Some of the more common examples of the kinds of driver negligence that often leads to bicycle accidents are discussed below.
- Distracted driving � Distracted driving2 can take many forms, including texting, grooming, reading, talking to passengers, or simply daydreaming. When drivers are distracted, they are often not aware of their surroundings, which can cause serious accidents.
- Impaired driving � Drinking and driving continues to be a serious issue in Florida and the rest of the country. When drunk drivers cause serious accidents, they are subject to both criminal and civil liability. This means that bicyclists who are struck by drunk drivers can often obtain compensation for their losses.
- Speeding �Drivers speed for a number of reasons, including running late, not paying attention to the posted speed limit, or just for fun. The reality is that there is no excuse to break the law and put others at risk. Speeding drivers often cannot not stop in time to avoid bicyclists or do not even seem them until it is too late. Fortunately, the mere fact that a driver was speeding is often sufficient to establish that he or she was negligent.
- Failure to observe traffic regulations � For many people, driving is a daily activity. As a result, drivers may become overly causal about certain rules of the road. Examples may include rolling stops at stop signs, failing to signal turns, not stopping before taking a right turn on red, or speeding through a yellow light. While these types of offenses are commonplace, they also have the potential to cause serious injury.
There are many other ways that a driver�s carelessness could cause serious bicycle accident. Victims should discuss their case in detail with a lawyer in order to determine whether they have a legal claim.
Discuss your accident with a Clearwater bicycle accident lawyer today
Bicycle accidents caused by careless drivers often leave victims with significant injuries that may affect them for years. Many bicyclists who are involved in motor vehicle accidents incur significant medical expenses and are unable to work for months or even years. In addition, victims may also experience significant physical pain and emotional distress as well as be unable to enjoy activities they once did. Thankfully for victims, Florida allows people who are injured in bicycle accidents caused by the negligence of others to recover for these and other losses they may have experienced.
The Clearwater bicycle accident attorneys of the Dolman Law Group are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of people who have been hurt in preventable accidents. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and work tirelessly to obtain justice through the Florida civil courts. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call our office today at 727-451-6900.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900