Injuries Caused by Bicycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Cowen Edwards helps those hurt in bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale. Injuries are a common outcome of many bicycle accidents, but you do have certain legal rights if this happens to you. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.

Do You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Biking is popular in Fort Lauderdale due to excellent conditions, but this also increases the risk of accidents. If you or a loved one is involved in a bicycle accident, knowing your options is crucial. While hiring a lawyer isn’t required, it can simplify the process. Our team helps by:

  • Determining liability.
  • Gathering and analyzing evidence.
  • Interviewing witnesses and experts.
  • Handling communication with the at-fault party’s insurance.
  • Negotiating for fair settlement offers or verdicts.

 

Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries, requiring medical attention and recovery time. Managing the claims process while healing can be overwhelming. Our team takes on these tasks, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

What Injuries Can Happen to You in a Bicycle Accident?

Being hurt in an accident is an unfortunate part of riding your bike in Fort Lauderdale. At the same time, you don’t exactly go out looking for this to happen. But the reality is that injuries are almost guaranteed when you’re on a bicycle and you’re in an accident, whether there’s a car involved or not. Regardless of the underlying cause, you can expect the following injuries in a bicycle accident:

  • Head injuries – Falls or collisions while biking can result in head injuries like concussions, as well as neck and shoulder injuries, ranging from minor strains to severe dislocations.
  • Whiplash – Sudden, forceful neck movements during a bicycle accident can cause whiplash, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
  • Road rash – Abrasions and friction burns, known as road rash, can occur when skin contacts the road surface during a fall, leading to painful scrapes and cuts that may need cleaning, dressing, and monitoring for infection.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – Severe impacts to the head during a bike accident can cause traumatic brain injuries, affecting cognitive function, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
  • Organ damage – Contact with a vehicle or the ground can also damage your internal organs, which can cause internal bleeding and a host of other problems.
  • Facial injuries – Being thrown from your bike or colliding with a fixed object can cause broken bones or fractures in the facial area, particularly the orbital and nose.
  • Wrist fractures – The impact of a bicycle accident can lead to wrist fractures and broken bones from trying to break a fall.
  • Back strains – Strains and sprains to back muscles and ligaments can occur from the impact or the body’s position during a bicycle fall.
  • Burns – Severe bicycle accidents can cause burns from contact with hot surfaces or friction with the road, ranging from minor to severe and requiring specialized medical treatment.

For as common as these injuries are, every bicycle accident is unique. So, in your particular accident, you might not have any of these injuries or you could have multiple–all with varying severity. This makes the legal process very important to your physical and financial recovery.

Who’s Liable For Injuries in a Bicycle Accident?

After a bicycle accident, determining who is liable is crucial because it tells you who will pay for your damages. This isn’t always straightforward, though. It depends on the circumstances around your accident. Plus, if you’re dealing with any of the above injuries, it’s going to make everything tougher. Still, though, the actual legal standard for liability is established by proving “negligence,” which means someone failed to exercise reasonable care, causing the accident and injuries.

In a typical bicycle accident, the responsible party may include:

  • Drivers – Often, drivers who don’t safely share the road, drive distracted, speed, or otherwise act carelessly are held responsible for bicycle accidents and the resulting damages.
  • Government agencies – Poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage can lead to accidents, making local government entities like the city or county liable.
  • Bicycle makers – If a defect in the bike or its parts causes an accident, the manufacturer or retailer might be responsible for the injuries.
  • Pedestrians or other cyclists – Careless actions by pedestrians or other cyclists, such as crossing without looking or making sudden moves, can cause accidents and make them liable.

Because liability depends heavily on what actually happens with your accident, it’s possible that multiple parties could share liability for your injuries. Regardless of who is ultimately responsible, the accident and your injuries are going to allow you to recover “damages” in a claim.

How Can You Recover Damages in a Bicycle Accident Claim?

Once you have liability figured out, you can proceed with actually filing an injury claim for your bicycle accident. This is the main legal protection you have against negligence: the law allows you to either file an insurance claim out of court or a personal injury lawsuit to recover “damages” from the responsible person or parties.

Both processes are largely the same with a few key differences:

  • An insurance claim happens out of court, and is much less formal. It’s also controlled by the insurance company. They do their own investigation and are the sole decision-maker on what they offer you for a settlement.
  • A personal injury lawsuit is a formal legal action, so it takes more time and effort. However, it gives you a better chance at recovering fair damages because it’s overseen by an impartial judge and jury.

In terms of your actual damages, they’re going to be related to your particular injuries and other losses from the accident. It’s not just about physical injuries, but also takes into account the mental and emotional impact of the accident, as well as any missed work and the ongoing psychological impact of your injuries.

So, when you file an injury claim, you can potentially recover:

  • Medical expenses and treatment costs
  • Costs for physical therapy
  • Lost wages from missed work
  • Support for pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress damages
  • Loss of companionship or diminished enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death expenses

These damages are general, and what you’re ultimately able to recover depends on how well you present your case. You also have to file within Florida’s statute of limitations for an injury claim, which is set at two years from the date of the accident. Miss this deadline, and you can’t file a claim or recover damages.

How Can You Strengthen Your Bicycle Accident Claim?

Just having the option to file an injury claim isn’t an automatic ticket to your damages. Instead, you have to effectively prove your case by showing your damages and presenting evidence. This process starts right after the accident, and is going to depend on the information you gather and the actions you take. So, to strengthen your claim, make sure to:

  • Move to a safe location
  • Get immediate medical attention at the scene by ambulance, then follow up at an urgent care or the emergency room
  • Report the accident to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department or Broward County Sheriff’s Department
  • Get contact and insurance details from anyone involved
  • Take pictures and videos of the accident scene and your injuries
  • Preserve evidence related to the incident
  • Attend scheduled medical appointments
  • Don’t admit fault
  • Be careful with statements you make to insurance adjusters
  • Don’t post about the accident on your social media
  • Don’t repair damaged items until you can document them as evidence

These actions are critical in presenting compelling evidence for your damages. Our team can assist in gathering essential records, accident reports, and other evidence to support your case effectively.

Help for Injury Victims in Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale are always upsetting, no matter the cause. Cycling should be enjoyable, especially in such a scenic area. But it’s crucial to understand that biking carries risks, some beyond your control.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact our dependable and experienced team at Cowen Edwards. We’re here to help you with your claim and offer the crucial emotional and legal support you need to get better. Contact us today to set up your free consultation.