Palm Beach Gardens Bicycle Accident Lawyer
When a careless and reckless driver crashes into a bicyclist, the injuries caused are some of the most serious. Accident victims will suffer from serious bodily harm and substantial property damage. Fortunately, a Palm Beach Gardens bicycle accident lawyer can help injured individuals make things right by pursuing the full compensation that is justly theirs. Below, our attorney outlines some of the most important laws that affect these cases, and the full damages you can recover.
Bicycle Laws in Palm Beach Gardens
While motorists may not want to recognize the law, bicycles are considered vehicles in Florida. As such, cyclists can ride on the road, but they must stay as far to the right as possible except when turning left or passing, such as when there is a car parked on the side of the road. Bike lanes should also be used whenever they are available. Like motorists, cyclists are also required to obey all traffic laws, lane markings, and signage. When crossing a road or using a crosswalk, cyclists must comply with all pedestrian crossing guidelines.
How Does Comparative Fault Impact Bicycle Accident Cases?
When motorists do not recognize the rights of cyclists and violate the law, they can be held liable for any injuries that result. However, the law also recognizes that multiple parties can be held liable for a crash, including the accident victim.
When a cyclist is partly to blame for an accident, they can still file a claim for damages. The amount of damages they will be awarded, though, is reduced by their same percentage of fault. Under the comparative fault law in Florida, injured individuals can still file a claim for compensation even if they were 99 percent at fault for an accident.
For example, a motorist may not give a cyclist the proper amount of space they need on the road. If there was a bike lane available, though, the cyclist should have used it instead of traveling on the roadway. In this instance, the cyclist may be found 20 percent at fault for the crash, while the motorist is found 80 percent to blame. If the cyclist suffered $100,000 in damages, they would receive $80,000 in total because the compensation would be reduced by the same 20 percent of fault the cyclist carried.
Compensation Available After a Bicycle Accident
You can claim any loss you suffered in a bicycle accident claim. The most common damages in these claims are as follows:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income, including loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the same line of work
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Our Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens Can Help After an Injury
At Smith, Ball, Baez & Prather, our Palm Beach Gardens bicycle accident lawyer knows the serious impact the injuries sustained will have on your life. We also know how to obtain the full and fair compensation you need to offset the burden they will cause. Call or text us now at 561-500-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case.
