Serious Injuries In Florida Bicycle Accidents
As a general rule, Florida’s infrastructure is built to appeal to automobile drivers – high speed limits and many lanes make driving an enjoyable way to see the state. However, other road users tend to be placed in danger with more regularity than in other states – those same high speed limits and multiple lanes can lead to serious injuries or even death for those with less protection than drivers. Bicyclists are somewhat unique, however, as they occupy a slightly different legal space than other pedestrians.
Many Fatalities, Many Injuries
Recent years have seen higher numbers of cyclist deaths, both because of more cyclists on the road overall – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – and because infrastructure is not present to support bike safety. For example, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate the majority of bicycle accidents occur in an urban environment – yet many Florida cities do not have dedicated bicycle lanes, forcing bicyclists to ride in traffic at significant risk to themselves.
Because a bicyclist has very little protection compared to the driver of (or passenger in) an automobile, it is somewhat expected that fatality numbers are high, as well as the numbers of serious injuries like spinal fractures, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). That said, for every unavoidable death, there are far too many that could have been prevented if negligence did not play a role in so many bicyclist accidents. Bicyclists have rights on Florida roads, and too often they are simply not respected.
Know Your Rights & Duties
If you have been injured in a road accident while on your bicycle, and you believe that it occurred due to the negligence of a driver or another road user, you have the right to seek compensation from them. There are several different ways that a vehicle driver can be negligent and cause injury; some of the more commonly seen in Florida include driving while distracted, speeding, using substances such as drugs or alcohol, and failing to yield the right of way. Other issues like bad weather or poorly maintained roads may also play a role.
It is important to keep in mind when seeking compensation that in Florida, bicyclists are treated the same as any other road user, with all the same duties of care and rights. This means that if you acted in a way that fails to meet the required duty to exercise reasonable care, you are less likely to recover for your injuries. For example, bicyclists who fail to yield to an automobile are considered to have breached their duty to exercise reasonable care. This is because a jury will generally be less inclined to award someone damages if they could have (either partly or fully) mitigated them in the first place.
Call An Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorney
Being injured while riding your bicycle can lead to serious, even life-changing injuries. You may be able to hold the person who allegedly caused them accountable. An Orlando bicycle accident attorney from the Hornsby Law Group can help you determine what your path forward should be, and how you can best approach your situation in terms of protecting your family. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
