Your Legal Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Tampa

If you were in a bicycle accident in Florida you may have sustained serious injuries and physical bodily harm. Depending on the details of how your accident took place, you may be entitled to file an injury claim for financial compensation to recoup your losses. Bicycle accidents can lead to several damages such as costly medical treatment and therapy, missed wages, property damages, pain and suffering, and more.

Fulgencio Law is a Tampa personal injury law firm that can help you when a negligent party causes an accident that injures you. Bicycle accidents are quite common in Florida with hundreds occurring each year. These incidents can not only cause severe and catastrophic injuries but they can also be deadly. The Florida Department of Transportation reports that across the state, the deadliest time for a Florida bicyclist to travel about is dusk and dark hours where more than half of the traffic accidents during this time produce the most severe and fatal injuries.

What You Can Do in the Aftermath of a Bicycle Accident in Florida

Drivers have a considerable duty of care to pedestrians and bicyclists that they will be alert and aware of their surroundings so that they can see these individuals when they are driving to avoid hitting them and causing them harm. Still, not all drivers are as responsible and as focused on driving as they should, and since bicyclists have such a small profile, a driver who is not paying attention can easily miss seeing a bicyclist and hit them.

When a bicycle accident happens, injured bicyclists should not delay in seeking medical attention. Seeing a doctor who can diagnose and treat injuries is critical. Then, consulting with a bicycle accident injury attorney can be advantageous.

Due to Florida’s no-fault insurance system, if you were injured in a bicycle accident, you would file your claim first with your own auto insurance coverage. The system Florida follows will allow you to obtain compensation regardless of fault through your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits to help you pay for your medical expenses.

However, if you do not have car insurance then your next option may be to file a claim against the driver’s insurance coverage who caused your crash. The driver’s PIP coverage would be used to cover your medical expenses when the driver was responsible for causing your bicycle accident.

Last, if your injuries are substantial or permanent, then you may be able to file an injury claim against the driver who caused your accident. Then, not only will you be able to obtain compensation for your medical expenses but you may also be compensated for other damages like pain and suffering.

Call Fulgencio Law Today

Bicyclists can suffer extensive physical bodily harm, permanent injury, disabling injuries, and death when a crash happens. Knowing your rights after a crash is essential to obtaining the compensation you need for your losses.

Call Fulgencio Law today at (813) 463-0123 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a bicycle accident attorney.