Were you injured while riding a bicycle in Tampa, Florida? Contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (813) 223-6200. Our experienced Tampa bicycle accident lawyers can help you file a claim for all of your crash-related losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
We’re an established Florida personal injury law firm with more than 119 years of combined experience and tens of millions of dollars recovered for our clients to date. If you put your case in our hands, we’ll work hard to pursue every dollar you’re owed under the law.
Contact us today or reach out online for more information. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys can offer some preliminary legal advice during your free case review.
Why Should I Hire Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers After a Bicycle Accident in Tampa, Florida?
Bicycle accidents often leave victims with devastating injuries and overwhelming financial losses. Insurance companies often attempt to reduce or deny these types of claims as well, which can make the recovery process even more stressful. If this describes your experience, you need a law firm with the skill and resources to effectively advocate for you.
At Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, we have built a reputation as “The Aggressive Attorneys.” Our Tampa bicycle accident attorneys don’t back down, no matter who is on the other side. When you hire our team, you benefit from decades of courtroom experience, deep knowledge of Florida personal injury law, and proven results in bicycle accident cases.
Reasons clients choose our Tampa personal injury lawyers include:
- Well over a century of combined legal experience representing injury victims across Florida
- Tens of millions recovered in verdicts and settlements
- Aggressive advocacy at every stage of your case, from negotiations to trial
- Personalized attention so you are never left in the dark about your case
- Recognition and respect throughout the legal community for our record of results
Want to learn more about forming an attorney-client relationship? Contact our law firm in Tampa, FL, today for a free case review.
How Much Is My Tampa Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Every bicycle accident is different, so the value of your case will depend on many unique factors. Severe or permanent injuries usually increase the amount of compensation available, but there are other important considerations as well.
Generally speaking, your claim’s value may be affected by:
- The total cost of your medical care
- Whether your injuries prevent you from returning to work or reduce your future earning capacity
- The physical pain and suffering you’ve endured
- Whether you share any fault for the accident
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- Available insurance coverage
While no lawyer can promise a specific outcome, working with an experienced trial attorney can make a difference in how your claim plays out, too. For instance, some lawyers are more skilled than others at tasks such as collecting evidence and leveraging expert assistance.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Tampa, FL?
If you are eligible to file a claim against the at-fault driver, you can seek compensation for both financial (economic) and personal (non-economic) losses. Together, these are collectively referred to as compensatory damages.
Economic damages cover your direct monetary losses, such as:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the accident
Non-economic damages account for your intangible losses, which may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party’s conduct was intentional or especially reckless. These damages are not guaranteed, but they may apply when the driver’s behavior exceeds ordinary negligence, such as in cases involving drunk driving.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Tampa?
At our firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay anything up front to hire us, and there are no hourly rates or flat fees either.
Instead, our payment comes as a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t secure a settlement or verdict in your favor, you owe us nothing in terms of attorney’s fees. This way, we’ll be incentivized to recover as much money for you as we can, and you can hire any lawyer you’d like without regard to your current financial situation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Tampa Bicycle Accident?
It’s possible. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this statute, you may still recover damages even if you share some fault for the accident. However, your compensation will likely be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
For example, if you are awarded $50,000 but are found to be 20% at fault, your recovery would likely be reduced to $40,000. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages altogether.
Note, however, that this law applies only to claims against the at-fault party, not against your PIP insurance. You can almost always file a PIP claim regardless of who was at fault (except in certain circumstances, such as if you injure yourself on purpose).
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Tampa, Florida
Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries, even in low-speed collisions. Riders are exposed to direct impact with vehicles and the road, which often results in catastrophic harm.
Our Florida bicycle accident lawyers are prepared to handle claims involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Road rash
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Foot injuries
- The wrongful death of a loved one
No matter the severity of your injury, we will work to recover compensation that reflects the full impact of the accident on your life.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Tampa
Bicycle accidents in Tampa happen for many of the same reasons as car accidents, but riders are especially vulnerable. Unlike drivers, cyclists have no protection in a collision, which means even a minor mistake by a motorist can have devastating consequences.
Some of the most common causes of bike accidents include:
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failure to yield to bicyclists at intersections
- Opening car doors into the path of a rider (“dooring”)
- Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
- Unsafe lane changes or turns
- Poor road design or inadequate bike lanes
- Hazardous conditions such as potholes or debris
If your accident was caused by a negligent driver, a dangerous road condition, or another preventable factor, you may have the right to pursue compensation. Our attorneys are here to help you maximize the value of your claim to the best of our ability.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida law limits the amount of time you have to take legal action in a bicycle accident case. The state’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including bike crash cases, is typically two years from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation entirely.
There are exceptions in rare cases. For example, claims involving government agencies may have shorter deadlines and specific notice requirements. It’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as you can to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
Insurance Coverage in Tampa Bicycle Accident Cases
Bicycle accident claims can involve complicated insurance questions. In Florida, no-fault insurance rules apply to motor vehicle crashes, including those involving bicycles. If you own a car and carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, you may be able to file a claim through your own insurance, even though you were on a bike at the time.
However, many bicycle accident victims face injuries that exceed their PIP limits. In those cases, you may be able to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability policy. If the driver was uninsured or underinsured, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may apply if you carry it.
It is not always easy to determine which policy applies or how much coverage is available. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Tampa can evaluate the facts of your case and help you determine your best path forward.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Tampa Bicycle Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident in Tampa, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible party. Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers can help you take legal action and handle your claim from start to finish as you focus on your recovery.
With more than 119 years of combined experience and tens of millions recovered for our clients, you can count on our Tampa bicycle accident lawyers to help you make the most of your claim. Contact us today to get started with a free initial consultation.
