Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Lawyer
South Florida is one of the world’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation. This includes bicycling. Many local residents and visitors ride their bicycles when moving around Boca Raton and the larger Palm Beach County area. Unfortunately, bicycles offer little protection against reckless drivers and other man-made hazards that can cause serious injury–even death–to an innocent bicyclist. If such negligence has harmed you or someone that you care about, the Boca Raton bicycle accident lawyers at Steinberg Law are here to help.
Know Your Rights Following a Bicycle Accident
Bicyclists have the same legal rights and responsibilities as any motorist when it comes to the “rules of the road.” As a bicyclist, you need to ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic, obey the same stop signs and traffic signals, and use appropriate turn signals to alert vehicles and other bicyclists behind you. Additionally, your bicycle should always be equipped with proper lighting when riding at night. And while Florida does not mandate bicyclists who are 16 years or older to wear a helmet, it is generally good safety practice to do so.
All that said, it is also the duty of motorists operating cars and trucks to engage in reasonably safe driving practices around bicycles. Many Boca Raton bicycle accidents are the result of a motorist’s simple refusal to share the road. For example, we often see “door-checking” accidents where a motorist parks their car on the street and opens their door without checking for bicyclists approaching from behind. This leads the bicyclist to collide with the swung-open car door.
Some other common examples of driver negligence leading to a bicycle accident in Palm Beach County include:
- failing to yield the right of way to a bicycle;
- making a turn without looking out for a bicyclist in the driver’s blind spot; or
- driving while distracted–e.g., texting while driving–or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you have Florida auto insurance, your own “no-fault” Personal Injury Protection coverage will provide you with certain mandatory medical and wage replacement benefits, even if you were injured while riding your bicycle. If you do not have auto insurance–say you are someone who exclusively travels by bicycle–then do not worry. The other driver can still be held legally responsible for your injuries. But that means you must prove the other driver’s negligence caused your bicycle accident.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Besides a negligent driver, there may be other parties who can be held financially responsible for your injuries arising from a bicycle accident. Such parties can include other cyclists who acted recklessly, a local government that failed to maintain proper road conditions, and even the manufacturer of the bicycle if there is a proven defect in the design or construction of your bike.
In short, even a seemingly simple bicycle accident can raise many complicated issues regarding liability and compensation. That is why it is important to work with an experienced Boca Raton bicycle accident attorney. Contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
