Although many cities have enacted bicycle and pedestrian lanes on heavily traveled roads, drivers still owe a duty to drive in a way that does not present unreasonable risk to others. Some common kinds of driver negligence that can result in bicycle or pedestrian accidents include the following:
DWI/DUI
Distracted driving
Failure to signal a turn
Speeding
Texting while driving
Failure to account for weather conditions
Opening a door into an oncoming bike
Turning without looking
Turning right into an oncoming bicyclist
Side-swiping a bicyclist or pedestrian
These are just a few of the ways in which a driver could negligently cause a bicycle or pedestrian accident. When pedestrians and cyclists are involved in accidents involving motor vehicles, the results can be devastating. The injuries that cyclists and pedestrians can sustain in accidents involving motor vehicles can be very severe, and may result in medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of quality of life, etc. Florida law allows people who are injured due to the negligence of others to recover damages (money) through a personal injury claim.
In order to determine whether you have a claim, call our office immediately at (904) 432-1219 (Jacksonville) | (407) 843-9088 (Orlando) | (352) 562-7999 (Gainesville/Ocala) for a free consultation.