Port St. John Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Florida is known for its gorgeous sunny days, which means more people out enjoying the state’s numerous cyclcing routes. However, more cyclists mean more bicycle accidents, which has made us the number one state for bicycle accident deaths. That statistic does not even account for the many more non-fatal injuries that arise. You may be dealing with severe physical injuries and pain if you have been hurt in a bicycle wreck. A Port St. John bicycle accident lawyer could review your situation and help you explore whether you have a potential personal injury claim.

Understanding the Local Bicycle Laws

Fla. Stat. § 316.2065 contains the state’s bike laws, which can be complicated if one is not careful. For example, the law normally classifies bicycles as vehicles when they are on the road. However, when cyclists are on sidewalks, the law classifies them as pedestrians. Here are several important laws that all cyclists and motorists should be aware of:

Cyclists under 16 must wear helmets, but riders older than 16 can go without a helmet.
Riders must stay in the farthest righthand lane, on bike paths, or sidewalks.
Other pedestrians have the right-of-way on a sidewalk.
Bicyclists must ride single file if riding two abreast would impede traffic, but they can ride with up to two people in a lane if doing so will not block or delay traffic.
Bikes must have reflectors and front lights if used at night.
Bikes must have brakes that will stop within 25 feet from an initial starting speed of 10 miles per hour.
Cyclists must be able to hear traffic; using a single earbud is permissible.
Cyclists can carry a passenger under four years old or weighing less than 40 pounds in a child carrier; otherwise, the number of people on the bike should match the number of seats on the bike.
They must follow all other road rules, including complete stops at traffic lights and stop signs.
It is illegal to bike while intoxicated.

While following these laws is essential, Florida is a comparative negligence state. A Port St. John bike accident attorney could investigate how the other party contributed to the accident and determine if they hold all the blame or if the plaintiff was partially responsible.

Causes of Bike Accidents

It should come as no surprise that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents. Additionally, many drivers simply fail to recognize that cyclists have a right to be on the road and they forget to look for people riding bikes. Speeding, driving in bike lanes, failing to yield the right of way, and failing to stop at red lights or stop signs are other leading causes of bike accidents.

Road conditions can also contribute to bike crashes. If the road conditions impact visibility or make it impossible to ride a bike safely, that might be a contributory factor. A bike accident attorney in Port St. John could investigate the area surrounding the crash, determining whether or not road conditions played a role in the accident.

Consult a Bike Accident Attorney in Port St. John

Not every bike accident leads to a potential damages claim. To succeed in a claim or lawsuit against a driver, you must demonstrate that they violated a duty of care and that the breach caused your injuries. That can be difficult for a non-lawyer to determine. We encourage you to contact a Port St. John bicycle accident lawyer to handle your claim. Our legal team can discuss the facts of your injury and help you explore potential financial remedies.