St. Petersburg Bicycle And Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Helping Individuals Injured while Cycling or Walking in St. Petersburg
It can be terrifying to get into an accident when you’re a pedestrian or bicyclist. These accidents differ greatly from car accidents as you’re more vulnerable to the oncoming car. You may suffer injuries similar to someone who’s been in a car accident, or worse.
The most important thing you can do while walking or biking on busy streets is to be as safe as possible. That means looking both ways before crossing a street, wearing your helmet when you ride your bike, wearing reflective gear, and paying attention to your surroundings.
However, sometimes that’s just not enough. When the negligence of another party causes your accident, you’ll want to hire an experienced attorney to help you win your case and receive the compensation that you deserve for your accident.
If you were injured by a negligent driver while walking or driving in Florida, contact Jones Law Group today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. Our skilled personal injury attorneys are here to help. You can give us a call at (727) 571-1333 or fill out our online contact form.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Statistics
While these types of accidents aren’t as common as car accidents, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center states that there were over 6,000 pedestrians and 857 bicyclists killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2018.
In the entire U.S., 73% of pedestrian accidents and 58% of bicyclist accidents occur at non-intersections. Meanwhile, the Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety Administration states that these statistics are on the rise, with a 3.4% increase in cyclist fatalities from 2017 to 2018.
They also stated that an overwhelming percentage of cyclists involved in accidents were male, at about 85%. These accidents can cause severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury, and even paralysis.
Common Injuries Caused by St. Petersburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Bicycle and pedestrian accidents in St. Petersburg can cause a wide range of injuries, many of which can be severe and life-threatening. Due to the lack of protection for these road users compared to motorists, the impact of these accidents often results in significant harm.
Some of the most common injuries caused by bicycle and pedestrian accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and bruises
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
There are many different causes of bicycle accidents, but the main cause usually involves driving recklessly in some way. This can include distracted driving, speeding, riding too close to a bicycle lane or emergency lane, improper merging, and not paying attention at intersections.
Crashes can also occur when someone is driving under the influence. Distracted driving includes texting while driving, talking on the phone, eating, or doing anything that causes a driver to not pay attention to the road. Because bicyclists and motor vehicles share the road, distracted driving is a common cause of accidents.
If the driver is not paying attention, they may not see the cyclist at all. It’s important to keep a safe distance from cyclists at all times to avoid accidents. Any of these causes can be considered negligence. This means that if the driver who hit you was doing any of these things, you may have a lawsuit against them.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents tend to have causes that differ greatly from bicycle accidents, as pedestrians don’t share the road in the same capacity as cyclists. For example, lane changes and merges are not a huge cause of pedestrian accidents.
However, driving under the influence is a much larger cause, as drivers who are under the influence may not see a pedestrian crossing the street or walking on the side of the road.
Rolling stops are also a large cause of these accidents, as well as reckless driving, speeding, poor intersection design, distracted driving, passing a school bus, and even pedestrian negligence. Pedestrians—in this case—can also include skateboarders and rollerbladers.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident?
Liability in bicycle accidents and pedestrian collisions can be placed on anyone who may have been negligent and caused the accident to take place. Negligence refers to any act that someone may have done either by accident or intentionally.
Negligence could look like texting while driving, driving under the influence, speeding too fast, not paying attention, or any other causes listed above.
In special cases, liability could also be placed on a manufacturer or technician if the car crashed because of a malfunction with the car. However, this is rare and most often these accidents will occur because of a driver’s negligence stemming from distracted or reckless driving.
How to Prove Negligence in Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Proving negligence in bicycle and pedestrian accidents involves demonstrating that the other party failed to act with reasonable care, resulting in injury. The core elements of negligence include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
- Duty of Care: All road users, whether they are motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians, have a legal obligation to act in a manner that ensures the safety of others.
- Breach of Duty: This occurs when a road user fails to uphold their duty of care. For example, a motorist who runs a red light or a cyclist who ignores traffic signals breaches their duty.
- Causation: It must be shown that the breach of duty directly caused the injury. If a cyclist is hit because a driver was texting, the driver’s distraction is the cause.
- Damages: The injured party must have suffered actual harm, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, or lost wages.
Contributory Negligence
Contributory negligence occurs when the injured party is found to be partially at fault for the accident. For instance, if a pedestrian was jaywalking at the time of the collision, they might share some responsibility.
In some jurisdictions, if the pedestrian or cyclist is found to be even slightly at fault, they may be barred from recovering any damages. However, Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, where the injured party’s compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Ways a Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Help
Even if you think you know what to do after a bicycle accident or pedestrian crash, it’s still a good idea to speak with an attorney. A Florida pedestrian and bicycle accident lawyer can be crucial in proving that the other party was negligent.
A seasoned personal injury attorney can gather and analyze evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reports. Additionally, lawyers can consult with experts to reconstruct the accident scene. Using this evidence, they can demonstrate how the other party’s actions led to the accident.
They also handle all legal paperwork and negotiations, ensuring that the injured party’s rights are protected and that they receive fair compensation. A personal injury attorney’s expertise can be invaluable in counteracting claims of contributory negligence and establishing the other party’s full liability.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents Involving Children
Bicycle accidents involving children are unfortunately common. Every year about 100 children die in bicycle-related accidents. Additionally, over 250,000 are injured in these accidents annually.
Accidents are most common in boys aged 12 to 14 on the road during the hours of 3 pm to 5 pm. Rush hour is also at this time, making for a higher volume of bicycles and cars on the road.
Accidents involving children can be more severe. Kids often suffer greater injuries than adults injured in a similar accident. Children must wear helmets at all times to prevent traumatic brain injuries in case of an accident.
Damages in a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, you may be stressed about the amount of medical bills and lost wages you have incurred. However, when filing a lawsuit against a negligent party, you’re entitled to receive compensation back.
This compensation can cover various damages. For example, it can offset medical bills, pain and suffering, present and future wages lost, and loss of earning capacity.
Medical bills can quickly add up, covering everything from emergency room visits to ongoing physical therapy. Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Present and future lost wages provide compensation for income lost due to your inability to work during recovery. Additionally, they cover potential future earnings if your injuries impact your employment long-term.
Loss of earning capacity is another critical element. This compensates you for reduced ability to earn a living in the future due to permanent injuries. Even full compensation will not make up for everything that occurred. However, it may help to ease your mind and get you focused on feeling better.
Getting Help from a St. Petersburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
An experienced lawyer is the right choice to help you file a lawsuit for your bicycle or pedestrian accident. A personal injury attorney can help be your voice. Not only will they argue your case but also speak to insurance companies and deal with negotiations on your behalf.
Having an experienced bicycle and pedestrian accident attorney is essential for these types of cases. Jones Law Group has the skilled and hardworking attorneys that you’re looking for.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us by calling 727-571-1333. You can also fill out our online contact form or using our Chat feature below.
