Sarasota Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Riding your bike is a great way to gain the benefits of physical activity and get around town, especially since the temperate Florida climate enables you to pedal year-round. Unfortunately, you’re also at risk of accidents in a bike-friendly city like Sarasota. According to the statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there are approximately 180 fatal and injury-causing bicycle accidents in Sarasota County every year.
If you were hurt in such an incident, it may come as some relief to know that you have legal options under Florida law. It’s possible to recover compensation for your losses as a victim, and our team at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian, Attorneys and Counselors at Law can assist. Please contact our firm to set up a free consultation with a Sarasota bicycle accident lawyer, and read on for some important information.
Common Causes of Florida Bicycle Accidents
These incidents typically occur because of a driver’s careless or reckless actions, so many claims proceed according to the laws of negligence. To obtain monetary damages for your losses, you must present evidence regarding four essential elements:
- The motorist had a duty to exercise reasonable care when driving, so as to not cause a risk of harm to others on the road – including bicycle riders;
- That person breached this legal duty of care;
- The breach of duty was the direct cause of the bicycle accident in which you were injured; and,
- You sustained losses as a result of your injuries.
To better understand negligence, some examples may be useful. A driver may breach the legal duty of care by speeding, failing to yield, not using a signal when turning, running a red light or stop sign, and many other careless acts. As in many other US states, distracted driving is also a problem in Florida. A motorist may negligently cause a bicycle accident by texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other acts that distract attention from the road.
Seeking Compensation for Your Losses
In most bicycle accident cases, the first step is to file a claim with the driver’s insurance company. Our team at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian will handle the claims process, including filing the proper documents and negotiating with the insurer.
If the company refuses to pay fair, reasonable compensation, we’ll advocate for you in court to recover:
- Your medical costs;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement; and,
- Any other monetary damages you’re entitled to by law.
Contact a Sarasota Bicycle Accident Lawyer About Your Rights
This overview may be helpful, but there’s much more to the legal process in a bike accident than you might expect. Instead of trying to pursue your remedies on your own, allow our team at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian, Attorneys and Counselors at Law to handle the legal burdens. For more information, please contact our Sarasota office at 800.227.2275 or visit us online. We can schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.
