The Ledezma Law Firm recently handled a case where our client was riding her bicycle on A1A in Jupiter in the same direction of traffic but the driver about to make a turn onto A1A from Indiantown Road failed to stop at the stop sign and hit her. Our client was seriously injured but she survived. The Ledezma Law Firm was able to get our client full compensation for her injuries.

Injuries from a bicycle accident can result in the following:

• Fractured head
• Broken leg or arm
• Spinal injuries such as fractures
• Herniations
• Injured shoulders
• Trauma to the skull
• Broken hips

The majority of bicycle accidents arise over issues concerning who had the right-of-way. Proving right-of-way in the aftermath of an accident can be complicated. For example, while riders are required to stay in a bike lane or as close to the right of the roadways as practical, they are permitted to leave these areas and enter the roadway to avoid a hazard, to make a left turn, or to pass someone. When a bicycle rider performs one of these actions, drivers are supposed to give them three feet of space.

Drivers are also required to give bicyclists three feet of space when they are passing them or traveling next to them. While a bicyclist may very well be at fault for performing certain maneuvers without indicating their intention to do so, proving this can be difficult.

Bicyclist Also Have To Follow The Rules Of The Road

Bicyclist must be aware that they also have to adhere to the rules of the road. Bicyclist must ride their bike in the same direction as traffic, ride in the designated bike lane and grant the right of way to another bicyclist and yes at times even a motor vehicle. If a cyclist fails to do this then they may be found 100% negligent or at least comparatively negligent. 

In Florida, we follow a no-fault insurance system for car accidents. This means that anyone involved in an accident recovers compensation for injury expenses and lost income through their personal insurance policies. Drivers injured in bicycle accidents caused by the bicyclist will generally only be able to file for additional coverage from the bicyclist’s insurance or through a personal injury lawsuit if their injuries reach the “serious injury” threshold, meaning the following occurred:

• significant disfigurement
• permanent limitation of use of a body organ or member
• a significant limitation of use of a body function
• bone fracture
• substantially full disability for 90 days

Don’t wait to get us on your side. You need someone who will get involved right away and represent you every step of the way. To learn more or discuss your case, get a free consultation with a lawyer at the Ledezma Law Firm by calling 561-454-9727 or emailing attorney Renier Ledezma at rledezma@ledezmalawfirm.com