BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES

In Florida, bikes have the same rights on the roads as trucks, cars, buses and motorcycles. However, many drivers don't see bicyclists until it's too late. Some drivers have the attitude the bicycle riders are "in the way" when sharing the roads, which can lead to reckless accidents.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Car and truck drivers are one of the greatest dangers to bicyclists in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. From 2005 - 2009 in Sarasota County alone, 592 bicyclists were hurt in traffic accidents, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In Manatee County over the same time period, 499 bicycle riders were hurt in traffic related accidents.

Bike riders wear only a helmet to protect them, so when they get hurt in a car or truck accident, the injuries are extremely serious. Broken bones, internal injuries, traumatic brain injury, spinal injury and paralysis are all common outcomes of a bike verses vehicle crash. Recovery can be long, painful, and expensive.

What To Do After A Bike Accident With A Vehicle

1. Do not talk to the driver who hit you. Don't discuss who was wrong or right in the situation or how the crash happened. Don't accept blame and don't blame the driver. The less you say to the person who hit you the better because this is information that can be used against you later on in court. Talk only to the police officer about the factual details of the accident.

   

2. Report the accident to the police. Usually an officer will be on scene of a bike vs.auto accident because these crashes are typicallly severe. However, sometimes a bicyclist may walk away from an accident thinking they're not hurt, only to find out later on that they've been injured. Even if you don't file an accident report at the time of the crash, do it as soon as possible afterwards

3. Don't fix your bike. Your bike is evidence and repairing your bike could damage or erase critical evidence in your case. In fact, photograph the bike as soon as possible after the accident.

4. Don't pay your traffic ticket. When you pay a traffic citation, you are admitting to the courts that you are guilty of whatever law was broken. This can be used against you in court by the driver's attorneys. Have your bicycle accident lawyer handle any traffic tickets that result from your accident.

5. Hire an experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer. Bike crash cases are very complicated because of deadlines, insurance claims, and even criminal charges, so it's important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer defend your rights.

If you've been hurt in a bicycle accident, you should talk to a bike accident lawyer immediately. For a free case evaluation contact us at Buckman and Buckman, P.A. at (941) 923-7700, or e-mail us. You can also complete the confidential case evaluation form at the top of this page.

We promise to make your case our priority.