Compared to a typical motor vehicle’s speed and size, bicycles are often at a significant disadvantage in an accident. When the car hits the bicycle, even at speeds that seem slow to the motor vehicle driver, the cyclist is immediately in extreme danger of suffering life-changing injuries.
A bicyclist who is hit by a car could have injuries that leave them unable to work in the same capacity as before the accident. Additionally, the cyclist could face a lengthy rehabilitation while trying to recover from injuries. Some injuries may never heal properly, leaving the bicyclist unable to enjoy life in the same way they did before being hit by the automobile.
You should not have to pay for your medical bills on your own after this happens. You deserve a fair settlement, so count on an Orange City bicycle accident lawyer to protect your rights. At Bogin, Munns & Munns, our team takes pride in helping victims of accidents. Call us today at (386) 860-5200 for a free case review.
Proving That Negligence From the Driver Occurred
With a bicycle accident that resulted in injuries to you, you can hold the driver accountable for their actions when you can prove that the driver acted negligently.
Proving negligence does not mean you have the show the driver purposefully tried to collide with your bike. You just have to show that the driver could have taken a different course of action or could have made a different choice, and they would have avoided the accident.
Proving Four Items Under the Law
When you are attempting to show negligence on the part of the driver, you and your Orange City bicycle accident lawyer will need to show that four items exist in your case, including:
- Duty of care: you must show that the driver owed you and other bicyclists on the road a duty to do everything possible to avoid hitting you. The driver’s duty to exercise care is part of Florida law, according to the Florida Bicycle Association.
- Breach of duty: where you then must show that the driver violated their duty to exercise care by taking an action that does not show a reasonable level of care.
- Cause of accident: you must show that the driver’s actions or inactions in failing to exercise care directly led to the accident.
- Show damages: you and your attorney must show that the accident led to injuries and damages for you, such as through medical bills, pain, suffering, or emotional trauma.
We Will Work Tirelessly on Your Behalf
When you have done nothing wrong while riding your bicycle, yet you have significant injuries because of an automobile driver’s negligence, you may be feeling quite a bit of frustration. You may be facing a lengthy rehabilitation process and an uncertain future with your health.
At Bogin, Munns & Munns, our team understands your frustration. We are ready to help you receive the settlement you deserve. We will investigate the facts in the case, study police reports, interview witnesses, and speak with your doctors to determine the fairest settlement amount to request.
For a free consultation, call us at (386) 860-5200 today. Should you choose to hire us, we will be ready to begin working on your case immediately.
To consult with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer serving Orange City, call 855-780-9986
Frequency of Bicycle Accidents
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center reports that more than 850 bicyclists died in crashes with motor vehicles in 2018 in the United States. About 36% of fatal accidents between bicycle riders and motor vehicles occur at intersections.
Why Motor Vehicles Hit Bicycles
In some accidents where a motor vehicle hits a cyclist, the automobile driver will say that they simply did not see the bicycle, whether it is in the crosswalk, along the side of the road, or somewhere else.
Drivers may be looking for other vehicles and hazards, so they just miss seeing the bicycle. This inability to see a cyclist does not absolve the driver from being at fault for the crash, but it does speak to the cyclist’s need to ride defensively any time they are around motor vehicles.
Driving While Distracted or Impaired
Sometimes, a driver will have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs before climbing behind the wheel. Driving while impaired is a sign of negligence.
Operating a vehicle while impaired can cause the driver to be unable to see others as clearly as they normally could because of the influence of alcohol or drugs, which can affect vision.
An impaired driver also may struggle to control their motor skills, which means the driver may be swerving in and out of the driving lane. Drifting outside the driving lane could cause the driver to hit a cyclist in a bike lane or on the shoulder.
Orange City Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 855-780-9986
You Deserve the Fairest Possible Settlement for Your Injuries
After an automobile hits your bike, you deserve a settlement that truly represents your current and future medical bills. You also deserve compensation for the wages you have lost while trying to recover from your injuries, and for the wages you will not be able to earn in the future due to your injuries. You may also be eligible to receive compensation for the emotional trauma you suffered.
As a trusted Orange City bicycle accident lawyer, the team at Bogin, Munns & Munns has seen the issues that victims of bicycle accidents face when recovering from their injuries. This can be a lonely feeling, but you can count on us to stand by your side throughout the entire process of filing a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you.
Reach out to us as soon as possible so we can get started on your case. Although Florida law gives us two years after the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, our team knows how quickly this period will go by. Contacting an attorney early in the process gives us more time to investigate the crash, collect evidence, and perform all the other necessary tasks to prepare your case.
Call or text 855-780-9986 or submit our Consultation Request form today
