Each year, there are more than 15,000 bicycle and pedestrian accidents throughout Florida, including close to 2,000 accidents in Broward County alone. While the majority of these accidents result in non-fatal injuries, approximately one in twenty bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Florida are fatal.
With offices in Fort Lauderdale, the Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers represent injured cyclists, injured pedestrians, and families who have lost loved ones in accidents throughout Florida.
Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale have successfully represented numerous clients in cases involving bicycle and pedestrian accidents, and we can use this experience to help you pursue compensation for your injury-related losses. Call us at (954) 287-0566 to get started with your case.
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Common Factors in Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Like other types of collisions involving cars, trucks and SUVs, bicycle and pedestrian accidents usually happen in the blink of an eye. Before the cyclist or pedestrian knows what happened, he or she is on the ground wondering what went wrong, and potentially facing a lifetime of pain, recovery and financial loss that were unthinkable just a moment ago.
Also similar to other types of collisions, bicycle and pedestrian accidents can result from a variety of different factors. While most accidents are the result of driver negligence, vehicle defects, bicycle defects, road defects and various other factors can cause and contribute to serious accidents as well.
At the Hollander Law Firm, our lawyers handle bicycle and pedestrian accident cases in Fort Lauderdale and statewide that involve:
- Aggressive Driving – Speeding, tailgating cyclists or weaving through traffic
- Careless Driving – Running red lights and stop signs, entering crosswalks without stopping and running off to the side of the road
- Distracted Driving – Talking on the phone, texting and using social media behind the wheel
- Fatigued Driving – Driving on too little sleep and falling asleep behind the wheel
- Impaired Driving – Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications and other drugs
- Vehicle Defects – Faulty brakes, tires, lights, engines, transmission systems and electronics
- Bicycle and Safety Equipment Defects – Defective brakes, tires, tubes, frames, forks, cranks, pedals and helmets
- Road Defects and Other Issues – Potholes, low shoulders, construction debris, visual obstructions and other hazards
Regardless of what happened and who is to blame, it is crucial that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a bicycle or pedestrian accident. Our lawyers are available 24/7, and we can take immediate action to collect the evidence needed to help you recover just compensation.
Catastrophic Injuries from Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
For obvious reasons, bicycle and pedestrian accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. These injuries usually require immediate medical attention, and if they are not fatal, they will often require months – if not years – of treatment, procedures and physical rehabilitation.
Many injured cyclists and pedestrians suffer from chronic pain and permanent physical limitations, and the financial and emotional consequences of these long-term effects can be devastating.
At the Hollander Law Firm, our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers have experience representing clients who have suffered all types of severe traumatic injuries in collisions involving motor vehicles. We handle fatal and non-fatal bicycle and pedestrian accident cases involving:
- Broken bones
- Head, neck and facial injuries
- Heart attacks
- Loss of limbs
- Organ damage
- Scarring injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Special Considerations for Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hit-and-Run Accidents
A significant percentage of bicycle and pedestrian accidents involve drivers who flee the scene. Whether these drivers do not realize that they hit someone or they are afraid to face the consequences of their mistakes, they still deserve to be fully accountable for the losses they cause. At the Hollander Law Firm, our lawyers have significant experience representing individuals and families in cases involving hit-and-run accidents.
In today’s world, it is often possible to track down hit-and-run drivers. From traffic camera footage to eye witness accounts on social media, there are now more potential sources of evidence than ever before. If we can identify the driver who hit you or your loved one, then we will pursue your case just like any other. However, if it is not possible to locate the driver, we can still represent you, whether that means pursuing a claim against a third party or filing a claim under your insurance policy.
Blaming the Victim
In bicycle and pedestrian accident cases, the insurance companies often try to blame the victim. Could you have been a foot outside of the crosswalk? Were you riding your bike at dusk without lights? Rather than being on your side, the insurance companies will look for any excuse to reduce or deny your award of financial compensation. Our lawyers are familiar with these tactics, and we can use our experience and the evidence that is available to prove your claim for compensation.
Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicles are everywhere in Fort Lauderdale. From trucks delivering food and supplies to restaurants and bars to trash trucks making their rounds downtown, it is hard to go a block in Fort Lauderdale without seeing a vehicle whose driver is on the clock. In cases involving commercial vehicles, securing just compensation often involves filing a claim against the driver’s employer. In Florida, companies can be held “vicariously liable” for their employees’ negligence, and in many cases, they can be held directly liable for their own negligence as well (i.e., hiring a driver with a poor driving record). If you or your loved one was hit by a commercial vehicle, we can hold the right person (or company) accountable, and we will work closely with you to ensure that we are seeking maximum compensation for all of your accident-related losses
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you have questions and would like to speak with an attorney, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights.
