Clipped by a Car While Riding my Bike in West Palm Beach: What Are My Legal Options?

If you were clipped by a passing vehicle while riding your bike in West Palm Beach, you might be wondering about your legal options. This situation may have left you feeling frustrated, especially if you were injured. What if the other vehicle simply drove away without stopping? What if they deny that a collision occurred? These are all common and understandable questions. You can gain further insights by speaking with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach.

Determine Whether You Have Suffered an Injury 

The first question to ask is have I suffered an injury.   This might be relatively obvious, but some injuries are more subtle than others. For example, you might have been knocked off your bike and hit your head and only have a small headache.   Alternatively, you might have lost control of your bicycle after the impact, perhaps crashing into a lamp post or falling onto the cement, suffering major fractures. Even if you’re not sure whether you have suffered an injury, it makes sense to get checked out by a medical professional. A head injury might be much worse than you initially realize, and you should see a doctor to make sure you are okay.

If you did not suffer a personal injury, count yourself lucky.  In that instance, you may just need to make a claim to get your bike repaired and/or replaced.  In other instances, your injuries could cause you to incur medical bills and lost wages.   In those instances, you should contact an attorney to see what legal options are available to you.

Contact the Police 

Another obvious step is to report the negligent driver to the police.  It is key to have documentation that the accident occurred.  If they struck you, this constitutes a traffic accident, even if you were lightly grazed. You have every right to capture their license plate and report the incident to the relevant authorities. This is especially true if the negligent driver fled the scene after clipping you. This counts as a “hit-and-run” in Florida, and the driver could face legal consequences for this offense.

What if I Was Passing on the Right? 

If you were passing on the right, your actions may be seen as unlawful by Florida traffic authorities. There have been many past cases in which cyclists were given tickets for passing vehicles on the right. However, this law does not apply in numerous situations. For example, it is generally acceptable to pass a vehicle on the right if that vehicle is about to turn left. It is also acceptable to pass a vehicle on the right if you are within a designated bike lane, regardless of the circumstances.

Find an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach 

If you’ve been searching for a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney, look no further than Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather. With our help, you can strive for positive results after being clipped by a passing motorist. Regardless of what anyone says, this is still unacceptable. The driver responsible for hitting you should be held accountable, and we can help you recover compensation for any damages you might have incurred. Book your consultation today to get started.

Sources: 

flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/share-the-road/

floridabicycle.org/bicycle-traffic-law