Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Tampa, FL
Whether you ride your bicycle for exercise, enjoyment, or to get around, the chance of a bicycle accident in the Tampa Bay area is always present. According to 2024 statistics provided by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), there were 409 bike accidents. These bicycle crashes resulted in 390 injuries and 7 fatalities.
If you were in a Tampa bicycle accident, you’ve likely sustained painful and costly injuries. Turn to Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers to pursue the fair compensation you deserve. Most bicycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers who fail to pay attention to bicyclists. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to advocating for victims in bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and other personal injury cases.
Contact our Tampa bicycle accident lawyers today to schedule a free consultation regarding your personal injury claim.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Hillsborough County
Both cyclists and pedestrians face grave danger because they are more at risk. With little to protect you while riding your bicycle, you are far more vulnerable than those in cars. Here are the most common causes of bike accidents.
Distracted Driving
Many bicycle accidents happen simply because drivers are distracted. A distracted driver may be texting, eating, talking to their passengers, using their GPS, changing the music on the stereo, or daydreaming. When a driver is occupied with visual, manual, or cognitive distractions, it’s easy for them not to notice bicycle riders. Collisions with bike riders are more common in the Tampa area, even compared to other metro areas such as neighboring South Florida. While cyclists should be vigilant, it’s up to drivers to pay attention to the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Despite the strict laws in Florida about driving while intoxicated, plenty of people still get behind the wheel after drinking, leading to tragic results. If your bicycle accident was caused by someone who was under the influence, a Tampa bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Speeding
When a driver is speeding, it gives them less time to react or stop when a bicyclist is near. Even at a low speed such as in a parking lot or driving through a neighborhood, a bicycle accident can leave a rider with serious injuries. If speeding is a factor, it’s more likely that bike riders will suffer catastrophic injuries.
Failure to Obey Traffic Laws
Many traffic accidents happen because of negligent drivers who do not follow the rules of the road. Failing to yield, failing to stop at stop signs, or running red lights are common causes of bike crashes.
Not Leaving a Buffer for Bike Lanes
Motorists are required to leave adequate space for bicyclist lanes. All drivers must remember to leave more than three feet of space for cyclists and to not follow them too closely while they are riding.
Reckless Driving
Reckless drivers are behaving with negligence. Any driver who weaves in and out of traffic lanes poses a threat to bicyclists. A cyclist is more likely to be hit by one of these types of drivers as they often drift in and out of these lanes for cyclists to use. They’re also more likely to not pay attention, making it easy to injure a cyclist.
If you or a loved one suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of someone in a motor vehicle, Florida law permits you to file a personal injury lawsuit. It can be a complex endeavor, though with the legal representation of a Tampa bicycle accident lawyer from Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, you’ll have the full support you need throughout this process.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents tend to leave riders with serious injuries. These injuries often include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Lacerations
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may have a long road to recovery ahead of you. Your injuries have the potential to impact the rest of your life through permanent effects such as paralysis or being unable to work. The medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering you endure should be compensated. While there is always a risk of becoming injured while riding a bicycle, you don’t deserve to get hurt when motorists should be driving with care.
The responsible parties should be held liable, and a Tampa bicycle accident lawyer from our Florida law firm will see to it that justice is upheld. Contact an accident attorney today to discuss your case.
Legal Rights for Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicyclists are required to follow the rules set by Florida for safe riding. Every cyclist must do their part to obey traffic signals, road markings, and signs, just like drivers. Cyclists must also ride with the flow of traffic rather than riding into oncoming traffic. These rules are in place to keep bicyclists safe and help them integrate with traffic.
Many roads don’t have bike lanes, and cyclists must take care when traveling alongside lanes designed for motor vehicles. Bicyclists are permitted to use sidewalks, and this may make you feel safer when you ride. However, you have to watch for pedestrians and yield to them. Violating these regulations in Florida may result in citations and fines.
Those on bicycles who follow the rules will generally be safer, but when a careless person in a car causes a bicycle accident, you have legal rights. In Tampa, Florida, our legal team will demand justice for your injuries and damages.
Safety Tips for Avoiding Bicycle Accidents in the Tampa Bay Area
You can do your part to avoid an accident while on your bike. Here are some tips to keep you safe:
Wear Safety Gear
A helmet can save your life, as can other protective items. Certain types of clothing can minimize your injuries if you are hit by a car.
Be Visible
Another way to avoid a crash while on your bike is to wear clothing that stands out. Bright colors, reflective fabrics, and adding lights to bicycles can make it easier for others to see you on the road.
Plan Safer Routes
If possible, try to plan your bike route on roads that have slower speeds and less traffic. Choosing roads that have a bike lane available is ideal.
Know the Steps to Take After a Bike Accident
Sometimes, it may not be possible to avoid a bike crash. If you’re in an accident, you must take the right steps to protect your legal rights. This includes calling the police to report your bike accident, exchanging information with the person who caused it, gathering evidence, and getting medical care if you are injured.
Above all, contact an accident attorney in Tampa, Florida, who can advocate for you to get fair compensation. Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers knows the laws can often work against injured parties. Now that Florida has switched to a modified comparative fault rule, you may incur some of the blame, which can reduce your compensation award. You can count on our team to fight all the way and aggressively represent you to resolve your legal matter.
How Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers Can Help with Your Bicycle Accident Case
If you or someone you love was injured while on a bicycle, call our team. A Tampa bicycle accident attorney will investigate your case, calculate your estimated costs of damages to determine compensation, and negotiate for your best interests. An accident involving a bicycle in Florida tends to be more complicated because the liable party may not just be the person who was behind the wheel. It could be a government agency that failed to keep the roads safe for people like you on their bikes.
Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers has received numerous awards and accolades, including Lawyers of Distinction 2024 and Top 100 National Trial Lawyers. With over 10 years of experience helping victims in Tampa, Florida, and over 1,000 cases won, we are determined to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
It can be frightening to get into a bike accident. Motor vehicles are faster and heavier, and with only a helmet to protect you, you may be seriously harmed by someone who wasn’t operating their vehicle with the right level of care. Since Tampa, Florida, frequently sees these types of accidents, it’s imperative that you get the legal representation you need to protect you from lowball settlements or claim denials. Schedule your free consultation today and discuss your bicycle accident with our compassionate attorneys.
Abogados para Latinos - At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we understand the importance of having legal representation that speaks your language and understands your culture. That’s why we have a dedicated team of native Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who are ready to assist you. We are proud to serve Miami's vibrant Hispanic community, offering compassionate and culturally sensitive legal services in both English and Spanish. Whether you're more comfortable speaking Spanish or simply want a Spanish-fluent lawyer who understands the unique challenges faced by Latinos, our team is here to provide you with the support and expertise you need to navigate the legal system with confidence.
