Tampa, Florida, offers visitors and residents copious sunshine and warm temperatures most of the year. The Tampa area has miles of gorgeous beaches, along with top-notch dining, shops, and entertainment. Due to its climate and attractions, Tampa sees a lot of bicycle traffic that must share the roadways with motor vehicles. As a result, Tampa reports many bicycle accidents each year, some of which cause serious or fatal injuries to victims.
If a careless or negligent car driver or some other entity caused a Tampa bicycle accident that seriously injured you or killed a close family member, you may obtain compensation from the parties responsible. However, bicycle accident claims involve complex legal processes that require the skills and knowledge of an experienced attorney.
The Tampa bicycle accident lawyers at Apex Law are here for you after a negligent driver hurt you or someone you love. We have decades of experience helping injured clients throughout the greater Tampa region, and we can review your case at no cost and advise you of your options. Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.
Why Choose Apex Law for Your Tampa Bicycle Accident Claim
Apex Law has recovered millions of dollars in total compensation for injured clients across Tampa and the surrounding areas. Our attorneys will sit with you and take the time to listen to your story, and we can help you understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation and handle all aspects of your claim for you.
Other items to consider about our firm:
- Our lawyers have received superb client ratings on Avvo and many five-star client reviews on Google, Yelp, and other sources. Many of our attorneys have also earned top rankings and honors from members of the legal community.
- We are fully committed to your needs and helping you get the maximum compensation you deserve. Our lawyers are tenacious negotiators and seasoned litigators who will not hesitate to take your case to trial if necessary.
- We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay us a dime to review your case or represent you. We will only accept a fee if we win your case or obtain compensation for you.
The Tampa injury attorneys at Apex Law have successfully handled many complex bicycle accident claims in the Tampa area, and you can contact us today to speak with us about your case.
Is Tampa Dangerous for Bicyclists?
As beautiful a city as Tampa is and despite efforts from local city authorities to make roads and streets safer, Tampa and the surrounding areas of Hillsborough County consistently rank among the highest for rates per capita of traffic-related fatalities. During a recent year, the Tampa area reported 467 bicycle accidents, resulting in 20 fatalities and more than 400 injuries.
Although bicycle accidents can occur anywhere in Tampa, some areas of the city see more frequent accidents than others.
They include:
- The intersection of West Hillsborough and Lois Avenues
- 66th Street North and 54th Avenue North
- West Bay Drive and Seminole Boulevard
- 34th Street and 1st and 5th Avenues
- Fowler Avenue and North Nebraska Avenue
No matter where your bicycle happened, you consult our Tampa bicycle accident attorneys right away if another driver or some other party caused it.
What Are Some Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Tampa?
A bicycle accident can happen because of:
- Vehicle drivers not paying attention or driving distracted. Drivers distracted by phones, passengers, or other things can fail to notice cyclists and cause bicycle accidents.
- Failure to yield. Motorists may fail to yield the right of way to cyclists at intersections, crosswalks, or when turning, which can result in collisions.
- Dooring incidents. When a parked car occupant opens their door without checking for approaching cyclists, it can lead to collisions called dooring accidents.
- Improper passing. Motorists passing too closely to cyclists without leaving sufficient space, known as right hook or left hook accidents, can cause collisions when turning.
- Cycling on sidewalks. Cycling on sidewalks can increase the chances of collisions at driveways and intersections, where drivers might not expect cyclists.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, uneven surfaces, debris, or insufficient lighting can contribute to accidents if cyclists lose control or encounter hazards.
- Impaired driving. Drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs pose a significant risk to all road users, including cyclists.
Motorists must exercise caution, follow traffic laws, and share the road responsibly. Education, increased awareness, and infrastructure improvements can all contribute to reducing bicycle accidents in Tampa.
However, if you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident caused by any of these events or some other act of negligence or wrongdoing, consult our attorneys right away.
How Can I Hold a Driver Liable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries?
To obtain compensation for your Tampa bicycle accident injuries, our attorney can show how a negligent driver or other party caused the accident and bears liability for your injuries.
To establish negligence, your attorney must demonstrate:
- Duty of care: Your attorney must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care. In a bicycle accident, this means establishing that the driver needed to operate their vehicle safely and avoid harming others.
- Breach of duty: Your lawyer must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care by failing to act reasonably or by acting negligently. This could involve showing that the driver was speeding, distracted, failed to yield, or violated traffic laws.
- Causation: Your attorney must establish a causal link between the defendant's breach of duty and your injuries. They need to demonstrate that the driver's negligence directly caused or contributed to the accident and resulting harm.
- Damages: Your attorney needs to provide evidence of the actual damages or injuries you suffered as a result of the accident. This could include medical records, bills, lost income, pain, suffering, or other relevant damages.
To prove these elements, our attorneys can collect and present evidence that supports your claim, such as:
- Photographs and videos of the accident scene
- Photos of your injuries
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstruction reports.
Your attorney will need to collect as much evidence as possible related to the bicycle accident to build a strong case that the motorist or other party caused your injuries.
Third-Party Claims
If a defective component on your bicycle failed and caused you to lose control and crash, you may hold the product manufacturer responsible, along with other parties involved in bringing the product to market. You may have a claim against the bicycle manufacturer or company responsible for installing the component or even the retailer that sold the component or part. Some examples include brake failures, chain failures, sprocket failures, and defects in the frame and forks.
Consult an attorney immediately if a faulty part on your bike failed, resulting in your injuries.
Claims Against Government Entities
If improper road maintenance or some other road hazard caused your wreck—or if a government-owned vehicle struck you while you rode your bicycle—you may file a claim with the appropriate government entity or department. You typically have a very short timeframe to submit a claim against the government. Contact an attorney right away if you believe a government entity contributed to your bicycle accident.
What Compensation Can I Receive for a Bicycle Accident?
The compensation you can receive will depend largely on the nature of the accident, the severity of your injuries, the driver’s insurance coverage, and other factors. Your attorney can calculate the compensation you can receive and work to recover the maximum amount possible.
Common forms of compensation include:
- Medical expenses. You may receive compensation for past, current, and future medical expenses related to your injuries. This includes hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, and necessary assistive devices.
- Lost income. If your injuries caused you to miss work, you may recover compensation for the income you lost. This can include both past and future lost income.
- Property damage. You may obtain compensation to repair or replace your bicycle or other items the accident damaged or destroyed.
- Pain and suffering. You may also receive non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, or a decreased quality of life resulting from the accident.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs. If your injuries require ongoing medical treatment, physical therapy, or rehabilitation, you may recover compensation for these expenses.
- Loss of earning capacity. If your injuries resulted in a long-term or permanent disability that affects your ability to earn a living or pursue your chosen career, you may receive compensation for the loss of future earning capacity.
- Wrongful death. If you lost a close family member in a Tampa bicycle accident, you may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages through a wrongful death claim.
- Punitive damages. In certain cases involving particularly reckless or malicious behavior by the at-fault party, the court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct.
Your attorney will gather documentation of your medical care, treatment plan, and medical bills, along with proof of lost income, receipts, and estimates for your other out-of-pocket expenses. Your lawyer will also consider any non-economic or punitive damages you may seek and will work to develop a comprehensive picture of the compensation you need to realize the fullest physical recovery possible.
Will I Have to Take My Case to Court?
In most bicycle accident cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover your medical expenses and other associated costs. Most bicycle accident claims settle outside of court, but you may need to take your case to court if you cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company or if they act in bad faith regarding your claim or the settlement agreement. You may also want to take your case to trial if a drunk driver caused the accident and injured you or killed a close family member.
Your attorney can advise you whether you should take your case to court, and they can build a compelling case and represent you at trial. Keep in mind that Florida only allows you two years to file a bicycle accident or wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, so you need to contact an attorney immediately for advice regarding your options.
Call an Experienced Tampa Bicycle Accident Attorney for Help
The attorneys at Apex Law have the knowledge, skills, and experience to handle your Tampa bicycle accident claim efficiently and increase your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve.
Call our law office today at (813) 444-5212 or visit us online for your free consultation.