Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycling is a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around Fort Lauderdale. Tens of thousands of bikers hit the streets and sidewalks throughout Fort Lauderdale every year. Unfortunately, not every cyclist makes it home unharmed.

Cyclists have nothing protecting them from impacts in collisions, expect perhaps helmets. If you or a loved one was injured in a bike crash, you deserve compensation. The right team of attorneys can stand up for your rights after a harmful accident. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers are the perfect choice for you and your family, they can help mount a claim that maximizes your compensation in an organized and efficient manner.

Call our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyer, at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Bicycle Accidents Often Cause Serious Harm

In 2023, there were 888 bicycle crashes in Broward County alone. These crashes led to nine fatalities and 837 injuries, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Bicycle crashes may not happen as often as other motor vehicle collisions, but they are more likely to result in serious injury and death.

Speak to a Skilled Bicycle Accident Attorney Before Making Any Decisions

Our firm handles claims for accidents involving bicyclists in Fort Lauderdale, and we are available for free consultations. Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today for a no-obligation legal consultation. Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers is available 24/7 for legal counsel regarding a recent bicycle accident in Fort Lauderdale.

These crashes can involve myriad state and citywide laws, such as helmet regulations and roadway rules. It’s often in your favor to get counsel from a local personal injury lawyer before making a decision about your settlement or claims options.

When you work with our team, our bicycle accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale will:

• Gather evidence
• Build a strong case
• Identify all your damages
• Communicate with the insurance company and any other involved parties on your behalf
• Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement
• Manage deadlines
• Prepare your case for court, if necessary

Compensation Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, FL Will Fight For

In the event of a bicycle-car accident, the legal ramifications depend upon who was at fault for the accident. If the driver was at fault, he or she will be responsible for paying for all the bicycle accident victim’s damages, including:

• Medical bills, such as hospitalization costs, surgeries, copays, emergency treatment, emergency transportation (We can hold the negligent driver liable for your past and future medical bills.)
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Miscellaneous expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

However, if the driver can show that the bicycle rider was partly at fault for the accident (e.g., not following a traffic law), the cyclist won’t be entitled to receive the full amount of compensation.

Bike Accidents and Negligence in Fort Lauderdale

Bicycle accidents occur due to a number of different factors.

• Potholes can eject bicyclists from their seats.
• Lack of bike paths can lead to collisions on the roadway.
• Drivers can open their car doors into oncoming cyclists.

Many Fort Lauderdale bike accidents are preventable with proper care and attention. It is up to every roadway maintenance crew, driver, and cyclist to reduce the number of collisions in Fort Lauderdale. A breach of duty, such as texting and driving, resulting in an accident, is negligence.

Bicycle accidents involving someone else’s negligence open the floor to litigation on the victim’s end. Accident victims that suffer broken bones, concussion, road rash, property damage, and other harms can file personal injury claims against the at-fault parties after bike collisions in Fort Lauderdale.

In some cases, such as a hit-and-run, there may not be a party to file against. In these situations, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance may cover damages. Bicyclists and pedestrians are often injured or even killed in Fort Lauderdale car accidents. They may sustain broken bones or dislocations, back or neck injuries, or even head or brain injuries. These injuries may take years to fully heal, requiring extensive medical treatment along the way.

To reduce the risk of a crash, it’s important to identify the common causes of bicycle wrecks and take the necessary safety precautions discussed below.

Fort Lauderdale’s Vision Zero Program

Fort Lauderdale has a vision of zero fatalities. The city launched “Vision Zero” in 2015 as an initiative to improve the safety of the traveling public – including bicyclists. While the program has been around for years, there are still marked issues within the city that contribute to pedestrian and bicycle crashes, such as dangerous crosswalks and limited availability of bike paths.

There are three main principles in Vision Zero that comprise the effort to increase bicycle safety:

• No level of injury or fatality is acceptable on the city streets.
• Traffic injuries are not accidents but preventable incidents.
• The public should actively participate in efforts to make the city streets safer.

The city aims to improve the condition and availability of sidewalks, availability of biking paths, management of traffic congestion, and the safety of biking.

Citywide efforts to help bikers can go a long way toward decreasing the number of collisions, but, unfortunately, it can’t end them altogether. Many bicycle accidents aren’t due to poor roadway conditions, but factors like negligent drivers. Regardless of the cause, injured bike riders may be eligible for compensation.

What Are The Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

One of the most common contributing factors to bicycle accidents is failure of a bicyclist to see another vehicle or failure of a driver to see the bicycle. This might be the result of careless, distracted, or reckless riding or driving. Other causes of these accidents include:

• Drivers making unsafe turns;
• Drivers drifting into the path of a cyclist;
• Drivers or passengers in a car opening a door as a bicycle passes; and

Essentially, what most bike crashes boil down to is some form of either driver error. Negligent drivers, who knowingly or unknowingly violate the rules of the road, can cause serious injuries or loss of life in car wrecks. Bicyclists can seek financial compensation for their injuries and related costs, recovering damages to fix a problem caused by someone else.

Preventing Bike Crashes in Fort Lauderdale

Whether it’s your source of exercise, recreation, or primary mode of transportation, take precautions to protect yourself on the road:

• Traffic laws– Traffic rules were put into place for a reason – to maintain order and keep everyone safe on the road. Take a class, know the rules, and abide by them. Important safety laws include rules such as always riding with traffic, staying in the bike lane and using proper signaling when turning.
• Safety gear– Wearing proper gear will help protect you, should a wreck occur. Using reflective clothing and equipment means more cars will see you, potentially preventing an accident from occurring.
• Bike maintenance– Make sure your bike is in proper working order and periodically check for broken or defective parts. Poorly maintained or malfunctioning bikes can cause serious accidents.
• Pay attention– It’s really as simple as that. Keep your eyes on the road, be aware of your surroundings and don’t listen to your headphones as you ride. This is really the best way to see (and avoid) approaching danger.

Get Help from Our Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Our team will fight for fair compensation for your bike accident injuries. And we will do it without any upfront fees. You only pay us when we win.

Call our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorneys, at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers to get started.