Seeking Justice After a Devastating West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident in West Palm Beach, you may face a long, arduous recovery.
If someone else caused the accident through their recklessness or carelessness, you may obtain compensation from the at-fault party, but you need a West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer to guide you through the process and advocate for your rights and interests.
The compassionate bicycle accident attorneys at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers are here to help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
We understand the overwhelming challenges you’re coping with, and we have the experience and resources to hold the at-fault party accountable and fight for the full and fair financial recovery you need to heal and move forward with your life.
Call our West Palm Beach office today at (561) 367-8777 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced attorney who cares. You have enough to worry about after a serious bicycle crash. Let us handle all the legal details and fight to protect your rights while you focus on your recovery.
Table of Contents
How Our West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we know that a bicycle accident can impact all aspects of your life. Our West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorneys provide compassionate guidance and tireless advocacy to help you recover and get your life back on track.
When you work with our firm, we will:
- Offer a free consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions
- Thoroughly investigate your accident to gather evidence and determine liability
- Work with experts to analyze the cause of the crash and the extent of your injuries
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Fight to recover maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses
- Prepare your case for trial if the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement
- Keep you informed and be available to address your concerns throughout the entire process
Dealing with insurance companies while trying to recover from serious injuries is incredibly stressful.
Let our knowledgeable attorneys take on those burdens and use our decades of experience to pursue the best outcome for you and your family. We genuinely care about our clients and will be your strongest advocate during this challenging time.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in West Palm Beach and Florida?
Florida’s great weather makes bicycling a popular activity and mode of transportation year-round.
Statewide crash citation reports from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show:
- There were 6,399 bicycle crashes in one recent year
- Those crashes resulted in 6,131 cyclist injuries and 182 cyclist fatalities
- Bicycle crashes made up 2.37% of all traffic crashes and bicyclist deaths accounted for 5.29% of all traffic fatalities
In Palm Beach County alone, there were 560 bicycle crashes, resulting in 527 injuries and 16 fatalities. During a recent five-year period, the West Palm Beach area averaged 544 bicycle crashes, 514 bicyclist injuries, and 16 bicyclist deaths per year.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in West Palm Beach?
Many bicycle accidents are the result of negligence by motor vehicle drivers.
The most common contributing factors in West Palm Beach bicycle crashes include:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to bicycles, especially at intersections
- Distracted driving, including texting or talking on a phone
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Passing too closely or sideswiping a bicycle
- Opening a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming cyclist
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Defective bicycles or safety equipment
- Hazardous road conditions
Our savvy legal team will investigate your crash’s causes and contributing factors to determine who we should hold responsible. The sooner you involve an attorney, the better opportunity we’ll have to preserve crucial evidence that can strengthen your claim.
How to Determine Liability for West Palm Beach Bicycle Accidents
Florida law allows injured cyclists to hold the at-fault party legally responsible for their injuries and other losses after a crash. Determining liability depends on the specific circumstances of the accident.
Liable parties may include:
- The driver of a motor vehicle that collided with a bicycle
- The bicycle or safety equipment manufacturer, if a defect caused or worsened the rider’s injuries
- A government entity responsible for a road hazard that led to the crash
If a driver’s negligence caused the accident, you’ll typically seek compensation through their auto insurance policy. However, Florida drivers must only carry $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) coverage. If your damages exceed those limits, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver to pursue additional compensation.
A knowledgeable West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer can identify all potentially liable parties and sources of compensation to give you the best chance at securing a full financial recovery.
Even if you partially caused the crash, you may still recover damages under Florida’s pure comparative negligence rule. Let Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers use our extensive experience to determine who is liable for your injuries and hold them accountable.
What Injuries Can Cyclists Sustain in a Bicycle Accident?
Cyclists have little protection when a much larger and heavier motor vehicle strikes them.
As a result, bicycle accident victims often suffer severe and catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Skull fractures
- Facial and dental injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash and serious lacerations
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Wrongful death
Many bicycle accident injuries require extensive medical treatment, lengthy rehabilitation, and ongoing care that generates substantial costs. Our accomplished attorneys will work with your doctors and medical experts to fully document the extent of your injuries and pursue compensation for all your accident-related expenses.
What Compensation Can I Receive?
After successfully navigating a bicycle accident claim in West Palm Beach with the help of an attorney, you could receive compensation, for:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced future earning potential
- Property damage to repair or replace your bicycle
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages (if you lost a loved one)
The skilled legal team at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation possible in your case. We know the physical, emotional, and financial devastation a bicycle accident causes.
Let us fight for the resources you need to recover and move forward.
What Is My West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your bicycle accident claim depends on factors unique to your case.
The most influential factors that affect your compensation include:
- The severity of your injuries and anticipated length of your recovery
- Whether you sustained any permanent impairments or disabilities
- The amount of your lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Your age, overall health, and family circumstances
- The evidence of the other party’s fault in causing the crash
- The amount of available insurance coverage
Our seasoned attorneys will carefully evaluate all these factors and gather compelling evidence to build the strongest possible claim for damages.
We know the tactical strategies the insurance company may use to diminish the severity of your injuries or shift undue blame onto you. Trust us to work diligently to achieve the best possible result in your case.
How Can an Attorney Help Me Get Compensation?
An experienced West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorney can handle all the complex legal tasks needed to pursue your claim for compensation.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we will:
- Conduct an independent investigation into the crash to preserve key evidence
- Interview eyewitnesses and gather police reports, photos, and surveillance video
- Handle all communications with insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Consult with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to prove liability and damages
- Negotiate skillfully with the insurance company to demand a fair settlement
- Prepare to take your case to trial if the insurer won’t make an adequate offer
- Keep you informed and promptly answer your questions throughout the process
A dedicated legal advocate gives you the best chance of maximizing your financial recovery after a bicycle crash. Our knowledgeable attorneys have a proven track record of achieving successful results for our clients and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
What’s the Deadline for Filing a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
It’s important to be aware of Florida’s statute of limitations, or legal deadline, for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit. In most cases, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the crash date. If you lost a family member in a fatal bicycle accident, you also generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
While two years may seem like a long time, get an attorney involved to start building your case as soon as possible. Over time, evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories can fade.
The sooner our legal team can get to work, the better we can protect your rights and preserve your ability to seek justice. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take action. The clock is running, and you have limited time to pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident FAQs
What should I do after a bicycle accident in West Palm Beach?
The most important thing to do is seek medical attention for your injuries, even if you think they are minor. Some serious injuries may have delayed symptoms.
Follow all your doctor’s treatment recommendations.
If possible, collect evidence at the scene, such as photos and witness contact information. Report the crash to the police and your own insurance company.
Finally, contact an experienced West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.
What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may turn to your own auto insurance policy for compensation, if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
While not required, UM/UIM can provide critical protection if a driver with little or no insurance hits you. Our attorneys can review your policy and identify all possible avenues for recovering payment in your case.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer?
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we represent bicycle accident victims on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t charge upfront fees to start your case. We only collect attorney fees when we successfully recover compensation for you.
We also offer free initial consultations, so there’s no risk or obligation to learn how we can help you after a crash.
Contact an Experienced West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we know that no amount of money can erase the trauma and hardship of a bicycle accident. Securing a fair settlement or verdict, however, can provide vital financial relief and a much-needed sense of justice and closure.
Our West Palm Beach attorneys provide the compassionate guidance and zealous advocacy you need during this difficult time. We’ll handle all the stressful legal aspects of your claim so you can focus on your health, family, and recovery. Don’t wait to get the legal help you need following a bicycle accident in West Palm Beach someone else caused. Contact our law office today at (561) 556-2813 for your free consultation.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In West Palm Beach, FL
Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers
319 Clematis St #203, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: (561) 556-7873
Hours: Open 24 hours daily
