En qué se diferencian las demandas por accidentes de bicicleta en Tampa de otros casos de lesiones
En Florida, se calcula que hay casi 6.400 accidentes de bicicleta al año. Si te lesionaste en un accidente de bicicleta debido a la negligencia de otra persona, es probable que quieras una indemnización por las lesiones o los salarios perdidos.
Desafortunadamente, las demandas por accidentes de bicicleta no son tan sencillas como otros tipos de reclamaciones por lesiones personales, como las de accidentes automovilísticos. Entonces, ¿por qué los accidentes de bicicleta son diferentes? ¿Y qué puedes hacer para asegurarte de recibir la indemnización que te mereces?
Si quieres saber la respuesta a estas preguntas, estás en el lugar correcto. Esta guía te dará un resumen rápido sobre las demandas por accidentes de bicicleta en el área de Tampa.
Las lesiones por accidentes de bicicleta son más graves
La primera diferencia entre los accidentes de bicicleta y otros tipos de lesiones personales son las lesiones en sí mismas. Es cierto que, debido a las altas velocidades, los accidentes automovilísticos pueden causar lesiones cerebrales graves, lesiones en la columna vertebral e incluso la muerte.
However, the difference is that in a car accident, you’re protected by a large metal vehicle, as well as seat belts and airbags. With a bicycle, on the other hand, you’re completely exposed. When a car hits a bicycle, it’s rarely a question of who is more hurt. It’s always the cyclist.
Being hit and thrown from your vehicle means you face all the same potential injuries of a car accident to a heightened degree. Even minor bicycle injuries, like road rash, fractures, and dislocations, can take weeks or even months to heal from.
So right off the bat, bicycle accident lawsuits usually require more money from insurance companies. And, when more money is involved, these companies are sure to fight back harder. That’s why even for something like road rash it’s still important to get a lawyer.
Cyclists Typically Don’t Carry Insurance
In most states, including Florida, drivers are required to carry vehicle insurance. This insurance can be invaluable in the event of an accident with injuries. Unfortunately, cyclists aren’t required to carry insurance.
The good news is that if the other party was at fault, you can still file a bicycle accident claim with their insurance provider. The bad news is that these providers often do everything in their power to deprive you of money to cover your injuries.
And, even when they do provide you with your injury claim, the amount is rarely enough to cover the medical costs associated with bicycle injuries. The issue gets even thornier if you hit a pedestrian on your bike with no insurance.
If you caused injuries, they may sue you directly for a personal injury case. In these cases, your best bet is a lawyer to help defend against these charges.
The Laws Surrounding Cyclists Are Different
It’s fairly known that bicycles often have the same rights as motor vehicles on the roadways. However, the reality is that there are a lot of different laws that cyclists need to follow under Florida regulations.
And if you don’t follow them, there’s a good chance the defendant will use it against you in court. For example, lawyers might use the fact that you were driving on a roadway that you didn’t belong on.
They might latch on to the fact that you weren’t wearing a helmet, which caused your injuries to be worse. Age, cycling style, or the time of day can show that you were breaking bicycle laws and causing unsafe conditions.
While some of these accusations are easy to defend against, others (like cycling under the influence) are a lot harder. A professional lawyer can help you use legal precedents to fight against bike laws that might be used against you in the lawsuit.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
After a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is get your injuries checked out by a medical professional. This not only helps you learn the extent of the damages, but it provides a paper trail for your lawyers. Speaking of legal help, you need to hire a lawyer quickly.
Why? Because the other party’s insurance company will likely be reaching out to you almost directly after the accident. You need to be very careful about any statements you give them because they can be used against you.
Instead, provide them with your lawyer’s contact information. It’s also important to be as upfront with your lawyers as you can be. Don’t exaggerate or minimize the injuries you sustained. The best way they can represent you is if you give them a 100% honest depiction of the accident.
How to Find a Lawyer for Tampa Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
As we mentioned, there are a variety of laws surrounding how bicycles can be operated, as well as the way drivers need to interact with them. As such, when searching for a lawyer, you want to make sure that they have experience with a wide range of injury cases, including bicycle accidents.
Ideally, they will have a proven track record they can show you and specific strategies related to your case. Remember that your lawyer will be investigating, negotiating, and, in some cases, litigating on your behalf.
As such, you want to make sure you can trust them. Pay close attention when you schedule your first consultation. Does the bicycle accident lawyer provide you with all the information, including the good and the bad? Or do they sugarcoat everything for you?
Avoid lawyers who are just in it for the money. You want a legal professional who cares about you and the personal ordeal you’re going through after your accident.
Here At RHINO Lawyers, We Make Personal Injury Law Simple
We hope this guide helped you learn more about how bicycle accident lawsuits are different from other injury cases. Whether it’s the severe injuries, complicated laws, or lack of insurance, there’s no denying that dealing with this type of lawsuit can be a hassle.
That’s why we at RHINO Lawyers make the process easy for you. We provide all the benefits of legal expertise and face-to-face interactions without the pain of traditional methods of communication.
Whether it’s through FaceTime or social media, we meet you where you’re at to provide you with the quickest response times possible. So if you’re ready to get the compensation you deserve, schedule your consultation with us today.
COMUNÍQUESE CON UN ABOGADO DE ACCIDENTES AUTOMOVILÍSTICOS EN TAMPA
En resumen, después de un accidente entre una bicicleta y un automóvil, es posible que no conozca sus derechos. Sobre todo, no atraviese el proceso solo. En realidad, nuestro equipo de lesiones personales está aquí para ayudarle con cualquier necesidad legal que pueda tener relacionada con su accidente.
Por último, que RHINO Lawyers responda a sus preguntas y revise los hechos de su caso con una consulta gratuita. Así que comience completando el “Evaluación de caso instantánea y gratuita”o llamándonos en cualquier momento, día o noche, al 844.RHINO.77.
