All Florida residents enjoy the year-round sunshine, but none so much as those who spend the majority of their time outdoors. Walking, running, kayaking and biking are all common no matter the time of year. In fact, bicyclists are an increasingly common sight on our roadways. Unfortunately, even with additional bike lanes and increased awareness, bicycle accidents are a fact of life in the Sarasota and Tampa areas.

No matter how attentive a bicyclist may be, they share the road with motorists they cannot control. Bicycle accidents can be quite serious and even deadly. If there is an accident between a car and a bike, who is at fault?

Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the last decade there have been over 8,000 bicycle deaths and more than 700,000 bicycle injuries related to traffic incidents.

Bicyclists between the ages of 20 and 24 experience the highest rate of injury in accidents
Bicyclists between the ages of 55 and 59 years represent the highest rate of fatal accidents
68% of serious bicycle accidents happen in urban areas where bikes and automobiles compete for space on the road
32% of bicycle accidents happen in rural areas
500,000 people are treated annually in emergency rooms following a bicycle accident

When a motorist is negligent, an accident can cause serious injury or even death to someone on a bicycle. What may be a minor accident between two motorists is much more serious for someone on a bike.

Bicyclists are largely unprotected against the impact of a collision, making them more vulnerable to greater injury. These injuries can range from minor cuts and sprains to multiple fractures, loss of limbs, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and head and brain injuries. Victims of a bicycle accident may wonder if they have the option to pursue a case, injury claim or lawsuit. Hiring an experienced attorney is essential to understanding your rights and possible courses of action.

Bicycle accidents can be the result of many different things, but many of the most common causes are listed below. If a bicyclist is injured and the other driver is proven to be at fault, they likely can pursue a successful claim or suit.

negligent drivers
drivers who fail or refuse to recognize bicyclists with whom they share the road
drivers who are inattentive or distracted by cell phones, passengers, or heavy traffic
drivers whose vision may be compromised by sun glare or large vehicles which obstruct their view
drivers who are exceeding the speed limit or in violation of other traffic laws
drunk drivers

Additional Causes of Accidents

Accidents are not always the fault of the motorists or even the bicyclist. They may be the result of:

defective auto parts (failed brakes, for instance) or defective bicycles or parts
poor road conditions or deferred maintenance
defective signage or traffic control signals

In the above scenarios, fault may lie with someone other than the motorist, such as auto manufacturers or government agencies. Identifying responsible parties and pursuing payment for your injuries and damages is the job of an experienced personal injury attorney. Bicyclists should follow the same process after an accident if they think they will have a case: get the medical help you need, try to take photos of the scene, keep police and doctors documentation, and call a personal injury attorney. Remember, there is a statute of limitations for these types of cases, so don’t delay.

Call Probinsky & Cole today. We help Sarasota area residents get obtain the compensation they deserve.