Tampa Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Florida is known for its constant sunshine, miles of boardwalk, and bike paths, so it is no wonder that millions of people across the state use a bicycle for work and pleasure. However, the drivers in larger vehicles do not always pay attention to cyclists, and bicycle accidents are increasing every year. The Tampa bicycle accident lawyers in our office believe that cyclists deserve just as much respect and protection as other vehicles on the road, and our lawyers have a history of successful case results getting the victims of bicycle accidents fully compensated for their injuries.
Tampa Bicycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2012 there were a total of 726 bicyclists killed in accidents across the country. Another 49,000 were injured in similar crashes with cars and other larger vehicles. These deaths accounted for two percent of all fatalities on the road that year, and it was a six percent increase in the number of deaths for the previous year.
In 2012, Florida had a total of 2,424 total traffic fatalities, and 122 of those deaths were cyclists. Florida accounts for around five percent of all bicycle accident deaths across the country every year. Between 2007 and 2011, there were a total of 532 bicycle fatalities on the roads and another 21,935 people were injured.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
When bicycles share the roads with automobiles, the drivers of those vehicles are supposed to treat cyclists with the same level of care as they do for other drivers. However, many drivers do not look out for cyclists on the roads, and given the lack of protection afforded to a person on a bicycle the injuries suffered are usually severe. The most common cause of a bicycle accident with another vehicle happens when drivers fail to look properly for cyclists. Other common causes of bicycle accidents on the roads include:
- Poor road conditions
- Drivers failing to see cyclists
- Driving too close to cyclists
- Failing to properly judge a cyclist’s speed or path
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving in the bicycle lane
- Turning in the path of a cyclist
- Sudden lane changes
- Leaving a car door open in the roadway
- Failure to adhere to traffic signals
- Failure to give the right of way to cyclists
…and other negligent driving habits that cause accidents with cyclists on the road in Florida.
Call a Tampa Bicycle Accident Lawyer Now
With so many cyclists on the road today, it is more important than ever for other drivers to be aware of bicycles that they share the road with. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are happening more often in Florida, but the Tampa bicycle accident lawyers at Barbas, Nuñez, Sanders, Butler & Hovsepian are here to help. If you or someone that you know has been injured in a bicycle accident in or around Tampa, let the experienced Tampa bicycle accident lawyers at our office help you get the compensation that you deserve. Call or contact the office today for a free and confidential consultation of your claims.