Bicycle accident injuries are often catastrophic and life-threatening. If your injuries have significantly impacted your life, you may have grounds for a claim against the at-fault party.
If you want them to pay for their negligence, consider working with a Pembroke Pines bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about the bicycle accident claims process and what your case could be worth.
Potential Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Pembroke Pines
One of the first steps in the Pembroke Pines bicycle accident claims process is determining what caused the accident. This will help your personal injury attorney establish fault.
Bicycle accidents often occur when a negligent motorist strikes a bicyclist. Some of the types of negligent driving that may cause bicycle accidents in Pembroke Pines include:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to stop at a traffic light or stop sign
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
However, negligent driving is not the only cause of bicycle accidents. In fact, these collisions can occur when auto parts or bicycle parts malfunction or are defective or when road conditions are particularly dangerous.
In cases like these, several parties could be responsible for your damages, such as:
- Auto parts designers
- Auto parts manufacturers
- Auto parts distributors
- Auto parts suppliers
- Motor vehicle dealerships
- Safety inspectors
- Maintenance technicians
- Government officials
- Government agencies
- Municipalities
- Road construction workers
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Other third parties
An in-depth investigation will reveal who is at fault for your bicycle accident injuries in Pompano Beach.
Will Sharing Liability Impact Your Bicycle Accident Compensation?
Many bicycle accident victims in Pembroke Pines hesitate to contact an attorney for help because they believe sharing liability will bar them from financial recovery.
However, this is not the case. In Florida, sharing fault for your injuries will not prohibit you from recovering compensation for your damages. Instead, your injury settlement will be reduced to reflect your portion of liability, per Florida Statutes § 761.81.
For example, if you were not wearing a bicycle helmet when a drunk driver hit you, you could be found 10% responsible for causing your injuries. In this case, your injury settlement would be reduced by 10% to account for your portion of fault.
If you have questions or concerns regarding how Florida’s shared fault laws may impact your bicycle accident injury settlement, reach out to your attorney to discuss your concerns further.
Proving Fault for Your Bicycle Accident in Pembroke Pines
To prove liability in a Pembroke Pines bicycle accident, your attorney must prove the defendant is at fault based on a preponderance of the evidence. To do this, your attorney will work to prove that the four following elements of negligence have been met:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the cause of your accident, gathering compelling evidence along the way. Some of the types of evidence a lawyer could use to establish liability in a Pembroke Pines bicycle accident claim include:
- Video of the accident
- Photos of the victim’s injuries
- Photos of the accident scene
- Medical records
- CCTV footage
- Cell phone records
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
- Reports from an accident reconstructionist
- Chemical blood alcohol test results
- Police reports
- Safety inspection reports
- Maintenance records
Calculating the Value of Your Pembroke Pines Bicycle Accident Claim
To ensure you are awarded fair compensation for your damages, your attorney will need to examine how your injuries have affected your life.
You have the right to be compensated for your losses. Some of the economic and non-economic damages you may be able to recover in your Pembroke Pines bicycle accident claim include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Medical equipment and other expenses
- Loss of household services
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Bicycle repair or replacement costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Reputational damage
- Dismemberment, disfigurement, or skin scarring
- Inconvenience
A Word on Insurance Settlements
Many bicycle accident victims quickly assume they can recover the compensation they need through an insurance settlement alone. However, it is important to realize that the insurance company is not on your side.
The insurance company will lose money by paying your claim. Its representatives may look for every opportunity to reduce your compensation. For this reason, it may be wise to have your attorney step in and handle the negotiations on your behalf.
It is also important to remember that the insurance company only provides compensation for the types and amounts of coverage the policyholder purchased. This means the damages you can recover and the amount you receive will depend on the amount of coverage available. If your damages exceed these limits, your lawyer can help you decide if it would be in your best interests to file a lawsuit against the liable party.
Get Help from a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Pembroke Pines Today
If you are unsure whether hiring an attorney to advocate for your rights is the right decision, reach out to our office for a free consultation to discuss your case’s details. A Pembroke Pines bicycle accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine could help you get the justice you deserve.
Our firm offers no-cost, risk-free consultations to bicycle accident victims across Pembroke Pines and surrounding cities. Take advantage of this opportunity by calling our office or filling out our online contact form.
We Can Help.
