Riding a bicycle has several benefits. Florida bicycle riding is a great workout that aids weight loss and increases cardiovascular function. Commuting to work on a bicycle is increasingly popular as well. Bike riding is also a fun and relatively safe group activity. Unfortunately, Florida bike riders must compete with cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians for safe spaces to ride. Encounters with these hazards increase the chances you will suffer a bicycle accident injury.
Bicycle accident injuries can be devastating and take a huge toll on your life. A bike accident could leave you with a pile of medical bills, doctors’ appointments, and severe pain while you miss work. If you find yourself in this situation, the Pensacola bike accident lawyers with Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can help. Since 1913, our injury firm has fought to protect victims’ rights in Pensacola and throughout Florida. Our award-winning attorneys can give you the best chance to recover just compensation for your losses.
For a free consultation, please call (850) 444-4878 or send us an online message today.
Bike riders can sustain a variety of injuries in an accident. It comes down to how the accident happens and whether the rider took any precautions to prevent death or severe injury. Unfortunately, wearing a helmet and following the road rules will not prevent death or serious injury in every circumstance.
Bicycle riders face dangers from every direction. Vehicles are an obvious hazard, but so are pedestrians. Uneven ground or broken pavement can also cause a bike crash. Riders also face the danger of falling without having been first hit. For example, a cyclist could violently crash when swerving to avoid a threatening situation.
Bicycle riders can sustain traumatic injuries from contact with a vehicle or object and from hitting the ground. Differentiating between an injury caused by contact with a car and contact with the ground may be difficult.
However, the most common bicycle accident injuries include:
Head injuries are the most common bike accident injury, accounting for 22% to 47% of all bicycle accident injuries. Additionally, 60% of fatalities and most long-term disabilities stem from head injuries after contact with a motor vehicle. Blunt trauma injuries to the abdomen and thorax occur from contact with a vehicle and falling onto bicycle handlebars, and penetrating injuries, although much less common, are possible.
Younger males are the most likely to be involved in a bike crash. However, people in their mid-50s are also in a high-risk category for sustaining a bike accident injury. The time of day also contributes to the potential for a bike crash. The early evening into the night is the riskiest time to ride. Riding in the summer is more hazardous than riding any other time of the year, statistically speaking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1,000 people die yearly in bicycle accidents. Another 130,000 people each year suffer a bicycle accident injury. The amount of money lost to bike accidents annually is astounding as well. The CDC estimates that bike crashes cost about $23 billion each year in medical bills, loss of life, loss of work productivity, and loss of quality of life.
The amount of damages you can collect depends on the specific facts of your claim.
However, you may have a claim against any person whose negligence contributed to your bicycle accident to recover compensation for:
The best way to ensure that you and your family receive just compensation for your bicycle accident is to contact an experienced and knowledgeable Pensacola personal injury lawyer to fight for your rights.
At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we forge strong client relationships built on trust. Our firm remains committed to representing our clients with integrity and sincerity. For over 100 years, we have faced insurance companies with unlimited resources and not backed down. We work efficiently to resolve disputes out of court. However, we are not afraid to take your case to court if that is in your best interest. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (850) 444-4878 or fill out our short online form.