Bicycle Accidents

Given the flat terrain and temperate climate, bicycles are a common way to get around South Florida. While hopping on a bike is a cost-effective, health-conscious, and environmentally friendly way to get to where you need to go, bicycle accidents are a common occurrence. If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to money damages from the party responsible for the accident. At the personal injury law firm of Friedman Rodman & Frank, our attorneys have decades of experience helping clients recover after all types of motor vehicle collisions, including Florida bicycle accidents.

Bicycle accidents happen every day across South Florida. In fact, according to the most recently available data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there are nearly 6,000 bicycle accidents each year. Of those, more than 160 were fatal bicycle accidents. Thus, while bicycle accidents make up only 1.7% of all traffic accidents, they are responsible for more than five percent of all traffic fatalities. About a third of all Florida bicycle accidents occur in Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Given the lack of protection bicycles provide to riders, it is no surprise that Florida bicycle accidents often result in serious or even fatal injuries. And while helmets are effective at preventing some head injuries after an accident, they do nothing to protect riders from other serious injuries. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries;
• Broken bones;
• Internal organ damage;
• Spinal cord injuries;
• Soft tissue damage;
• Paralysis; and
• Death.

Suffering severe injuries after a bicycle accident can leave you wondering what to do. You may be out of work, unable to earn an income, and facing more and more medical bills by the day. At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, we are here to help. We can help you understand how to effectively bring a personal injury claim against those responsible for your injuries.

State law allows the victims of Florida bicycle accidents to recover monetary damages from the party or parties responsible for their injuries. In most cases, this is an at-fault motorist; however, it could be that a property owner, government entity, or bicycle manufacturer was to blame for an accident.

Regardless of who is responsible for your injuries, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, decrease in future earning capacity and property damage. Economic damages are typically established by presenting objective evidence of the damages, for example, receipts, medical bills, or proof of income.

Non-economic damages compensate you for the emotional and psychological impact the accident had on your life. These damages include payment for your pain and suffering, disfigurement or disability and loss of enjoyment of life, among other things. Non-economic damages are more subjective, as accidents affect victim’s lives in different ways. An experienced South Florida bicycle accident lawyer can help you identify the full extent of your damages, so you know exactly what you deserve and how to effectively pursue your case.

If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, contact the dedicated Florida bicycle accident lawyers at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada to discuss your options. Our compassionate team of attorneys works tirelessly to secure maximum compensation on behalf of our injured clients. We have more than 45 years of experience investigating accidents, negotiating with insurance companies and litigating cases in front of juries. To learn more about our firm, and to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer, contact us at 305-448-8585. Our lawyers represent accident victims throughout South Florida, including but not limited to Miami, Naples, Homestead, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.