Did you or a family member sustain injuries in a bicycle accident in Lakeland, FL? You may be entitled to hold the at-fault party liable for your damages. An experienced Lakeland bicycle accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Our lawyers have been fighting for accident victims since the day we opened our doors back in 2001. Between us, we have over 119 years of experience handling complex personal injury law claims.
You don’t have to pay anything out of pocket to get the legal representation you deserve. Just contact our law office in Lakeland, Florida to schedule a free consultation today at (863) 251-6196.
How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Lakeland
Our legal team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers is committed to helping accident victims get back on their feet again. We know how difficult the insurance claims process can be. We also know that having an experienced Lakeland personal injury lawyer in your corner can lead to a higher settlement offer.
Our lawyers have a reputation for aggressively protecting our clients’ interests. We’ll do everything we can to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
When you trust our lawyers to represent you, we will:
- Provide legal guidance at every stage of the process
- Handle all paperwork and administrative work
- Investigate to uncover the cause of your bicycle accident
- Identify all responsible parties
- Gather evidence and hire experts to build the strongest negligence case possible
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
We’re here to level the playing field. If the insurance company refuses to offer an acceptable settlement, our Lakeland personal injury attorneys will fight for you at trial. To schedule your no-obligation case review, call our team today.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Lakeland, FL?
Cycling is becoming more and more popular across the U.S. Unfortunately, more bicyclists on the roads means that bike accidents are also on the rise. In 2020, 891 bicyclists were killed across the United States (up 5% from 2019).
Unfortunately, studies show that Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), 6,404 bicycle accidents were reported statewide in 2021. 197 bicyclists were killed in fatal accidents that year.
139 accidents involving bicycles were reported in Polk County in 2021. At least nine people were killed. Another 118 bicycle accidents have been reported across Polk County during the first ten months of 2022.
What Is My Lakeland Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Our lawyers will have to review your case’s specific details before we can accurately estimate how much your case is worth. Every injury is different.
To put a dollar value on your personal injury claim, we must evaluate:
- The types of injuries you sustained and whether you’ll suffer any permanent disability
- The total value of your current and future economic losses
- The cost of your medical treatment
- The duration of your recovery
- Whether you can work during recovery
- Whether your future earnings will be impacted
- Damage to your quality of life and lifestyle changes
- Whether you contributed to the accident in any way
Many other factors can be important in calculating your case value. Our lawyers will work closely with your doctors and other specialists who can help assess the cost of your non-financial losses.
What Types of Damages Are Available To Bicycle Accident Victims?
Accident victims are entitled to seek compensation from the parties responsible for the crash. Damages are classified based on whether they compensate victims for economic damages or non-economic damages.
Depending on the facts of your case, the following types of compensation may be available:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages while you recover
- Diminished future earning potential if you are permanently disabled
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of consortium
The cost of treating an injury can be overwhelming. When the insurance company tries to downplay your case value, our lawyers are here to help you fight back. Just call Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review with an experienced Lakeland bicycle accident attorney.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
Bicyclists can share blame for an accident. Florida follows a pure comparative fault law. You won’t lose your right to seek compensation unless you were 100% responsible for the accident.
However, if you were even slightly at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So, if you were 20% responsible, you’ll only take home 80% of your settlement or verdict.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
Car accidents involving bicycles tend to cause extremely severe injuries. Wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle is important, but a helmet can’t protect you from all types of injuries.
Some of the most common types of bicycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Crushing injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Burns
- Road rash
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
These types of injuries can impact your life in dramatic ways. Even once you’ve recovered to the extent possible, you may experience chronic pain and need ongoing medical care. Our lawyers in Lakeland are here to help you get the fair compensation you deserve regardless of the injuries you’ve sustained.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Lakeland, Florida?
Bicyclists are entitled to share the road with drivers. Unfortunately, many bike accidents happen because drivers fail to watch for bicyclists sharing the road.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving and texting while driving
- Fatigued driving
- Vearing into the sidewalk, shoulder, or bike lane
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Failure to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Lack of dedicated bike lanes, infrastructure, and protective barriers
- Dangerous lane changes
- Illegal or unsafe turns
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Hazardous road conditions, including potholes and damaged pavement
- Faulty brakes, worn tires and other vehicle defects
- Poor visibility and bad weather
It’s important to speak with an experienced lawyer if you were injured in a bicycle accident. Our lawyers at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you identify all factors that played a role in your accident. That way, you can rest assured that all responsible parties are held accountable.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
Negligence is the legal basis for most personal injury cases. Victims of negligence are required to prove the following four elements:
- The defendant owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached the duty of care
- The breach was the direct cause of the accident
- You sustained damages
All people have a legal duty to exercise reasonable caution. When drivers are distracted, speed, or violate traffic laws, they breach that duty of care.
Our lawyers will work to locate evidence to prove your case, including:
- Video surveillance footage
- Dash cam footage
- Eyewitnesses
- Photos and data from the crash scene
- Police reports and citations
- Medical records
- Cell phone records
- Opinions from accident reconstruction specialists
A detailed investigation can take time–and you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action. To learn more about your legal rights after an accident, call our law firm in Lakeland to schedule a free initial consultation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations in most Florida personal injury cases is four years. In other words, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, different deadlines may be relevant to your case. Insurance companies put their own time limits on filing a claim. If you were injured on the job, you’ll have to take action to preserve your right to workers’ compensation benefits within a matter of weeks. The statute of limitations in wrongful death cases is just two years.
If you wait too long to take legal action, it’s also possible that critical evidence could be lost. That can ultimately weaken your case. Our attorneys are here to help today, so reach out to schedule your free consultation right away.
Contact a Lakeland Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You’re already struggling with serious injuries. You shouldn’t have to worry about insurance companies undervaluing your claim or blaming you for the accident. Get the legal representation you deserve by calling a Lakeland bicycle accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Our personal injury law firm in Lakeland, FL, also provides:
