In Florida’s bustling traffic, drivers and bicyclists navigate a shared space – but many on the road are from out of state and aren’t familiar with their surroundings. Misunderstandings and misjudgments can quickly result in accidents with severe consequences. Today, we want to offer practical tips for a motorist and a bicyclist to foster a safer coexistence on the road.
Guidance for Drivers
Florida’s roads mandate mutual respect between drivers and bicyclists, as both have equal rights to travel. Drivers should adhere to the safe passing distance rule, ensuring at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle. This buffer zone is a nice courtesy, but it is also enshrined in Florida law as a critical safety measure to prevent collisions.
Drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and consistently check mirrors and blind spots for bicyclists. This practice becomes even more vital when executing turns or lane changes, as bicycles are smaller and less visible than cars. Thorough scanning of the surroundings should be a habit that every driver on Florida roads adopts.
“Dooring,” a term for incidents where a driver opens their car door into an oncoming cyclist’s path, can cause severe injury and lead to larger accidents if the victim falls into oncoming traffic. To prevent this, experts recommend the “Dutch reach” method. This technique involves using the hand farthest from the door to open it, which naturally turns the body to look over the shoulder, allowing for a clear view of any approaching bicyclists.
Advice for Bicyclists
Visibility is the first line of defense when biking on Florida roads. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel – common tactics like bright clothing and reflective lights increase your safety by making you more noticeable to drivers, especially during dawn, dusk, or nighttime. But once you are seen, there is more work to be done.
Effective communication with drivers involves knowledge and clear signaling. Use hand signals to indicate when and where you will turn and stop, and always position yourself in a part of the lane where you are most visible and where it’s legal and safe. Avoid a driver’s blind spot and ride where you can see a driver’s mirrors, ensuring they can see you.
Protective gear is another crucial piece of the puzzle to plan for any eventuality. Helmets dramatically decrease the risk of head injuries in the event of an accident, and ad additional gear like gloves, knee pads, and proper footwear contribute to your safety and comfort no matter what happens.
Just as defensive driving can help car owners, defensive riding is an active approach to predict and react to the actions of others that can pay off big time. Anticipate the actions of drivers, stay alert at intersections, and be prepared for sudden stops. However, even if you prepare, accidents can still happen, and that’s where a personal injury attorney can step in to help.
Accidents with Bicyclists – The Role of an Attorney
An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can provide much-needed assistance to injured bicyclists after an accident. Their expertise is pivotal in ensuring that the rights of the cyclist are not overshadowed by insurance company tactics that aim to reduce their financial liability.
The attorney’s role begins with the meticulous gathering of evidence – obtaining witness statements, securing traffic camera footage, and compiling police reports – anything that can help build a solid legal case. Beyond just corroborating your story, an attorney should be working to build an airtight legal argument that maximizes the amount of compensation you receive to rebuild your life. Expert testimonies can also play a strategic role in your case, as expert input can be instrumental in quantifying the extent of the injuries and their impact on the cyclist’s quality of life.
When reaching out to a lawyer, engage them with any questions you have and make sure you feel comfortable moving forward. Your future is at stake. The personal injury attorneys at Probinsky & Cole can guide you through the process. Call today to speak to our team and begin your journey.
