Bicycle accidents are all too common in Orlando, Florida, a city that is home to a vibrant cycling culture and a popular tourist destination. While many people choose to cycle in Orlando for exercise, recreation, and transportation, sharing the road with cars, buses, and trucks can be a dangerous and even deadly proposition. In fact, according to a variety of studies, Orlando is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for cyclists. We’ll talk more about bicycle accident statistics below.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando or anywhere else in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation, and there may be an insurance policy available to help you with your medical bills, missed work, and more. If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (321) 352-7588. We offer free legal consultations, and we’re happy to get on the phone with you and discuss your options moving forward.
Orlando Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 417 bicycle crashes in Orange County, which includes Orlando, in 2020. These crashes resulted in 404 injuries and 7 fatalities. In 2019, there were 428 bicycle crashes in Orange County, resulting in 405 injuries and 7 fatalities.
The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area, which includes Orange County, is also one of the most dangerous metro areas in the United States for cyclists. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan area had the highest rate of cyclist deaths per capita of any metro area in the country from 2015 to 2019.
The report also found that Florida had the highest rate of cyclist deaths per capita of any state in the country during that same time period. In 2019, there were 160 cyclist deaths in Florida, accounting for 5.7% of all traffic fatalities in the state.
These statistics highlight the importance of taking steps to protect yourself if you are a cyclist in Orlando. This includes wearing a helmet, following traffic laws, and being aware of your surroundings while cycling. If you are involved in a bicycle accident, it's important to take the right steps to protect your legal rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Bicycle Accident
If you are a cyclist who has been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando, it can be difficult to know what to do next. You may be in pain, facing mounting medical bills, and dealing with the emotional fallout of the accident. However, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention
The first and most important step you should take after a bicycle accident is to seek medical attention. Even if you do not feel hurt right away, some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent. It's essential to get a proper medical evaluation to identify any injuries you may have sustained in the accident.
When seeking medical attention, it's important to be honest with your healthcare provider about what happened. Let them know that you were involved in a bicycle accident and provide as much information about the incident as you can. This can help your doctor properly diagnose any injuries and provide appropriate treatment.
If you do not have health insurance or are worried about the cost of medical treatment, do not let that prevent you from seeking care. There may be other options available for people who have been injured in bicycle accidents and cannot afford medical care. Your personal injury lawyer may be able to provide you with resources and guidance on how to get the medical attention you need.
Step 2: Document the Scene
If you are physically able, you should document the accident scene as soon as possible. Take photos of your bicycle and any vehicles involved, including the license plates. Document any damage to the roadway and take pictures of your injuries. It's also a good idea to obtain contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
The more evidence you can gather, the better. Your personal injury lawyer can use this evidence to build a strong case and establish liability for the accident. If possible, also try to take notes about what happened leading up to the accident, including the time of day, weather conditions, and any other relevant details.
Step 3: Contact the Police
Contact the police and file a report of the accident. The police report can be used as evidence in the early stages of your case during negotiations, and it can help you establish liability for the accident. The responding officer will gather information from all parties involved and any witnesses, as well as document the accident scene. Make sure you obtain a copy of the police report.
It's important to remember that the police report is not the final word on what happened. While the report can be helpful in building your case, it is not necessarily definitive, and it’s not typically admissible in court.
If the police report is against you, it's possible that the officer did not have a clear understanding of what happened or missed important details. This is why it's important to gather as much evidence as possible and work with a skilled and aggressive personal injury lawyer who can help you build a strong case.
Step 4: Do Not Admit Fault
After a bicycle accident, you may be in shock or disoriented, and you may not remember all the details of the accident. Do not admit fault or make any statements to anyone, including the other driver or insurance adjusters. Your statements can be used against you in a legal claim, so it's best to remain silent until you have spoken with an attorney.
It's important to remember that even if you think you may have been partially responsible for the accident, that does not necessarily mean that you cannot recover compensation for your injuries. Florida operates under a pure comparative negligence system, which means that even if you are partially at fault, you may still be able to recover damages. However, it's best to leave the legal analysis to your personal injury lawyer, who can help you understand how Florida's comparative negligence system applies to your case.
Step 5: Contact an Orlando Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando, you should contact a skilled and aggressive personal injury lawyer right away. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and protect your legal rights. Your lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If necessary, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
When choosing a personal injury lawyer, it's important to find someone who has experience representing clients in bicycle accident and pedestrian accident cases. Look for a lawyer who has a track record of success and is willing to take your case to trial if necessary. You should also look for a lawyer who is compassionate and understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a bicycle accident can take on a victim and their family. Most importantly, you need a lawyer who will talk with you when needed, rather than pushing you off to an assistant or a customer service representative.
Damages Potentially Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Orlando, Florida
Bicycle accidents can be devastating, resulting in serious injuries, emotional distress, and financial hardship for the victim and their family. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando, Florida, you may be entitled to recover damages to compensate you for your losses.
Your lawyer can help you pursue compensation for a wide range of damages, including:
Medical Expenses
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical expenses. This includes the cost of medical treatment you have already received, as well as the cost of any future medical treatment you may need as a result of the accident.
Medical expenses can include a wide range of costs, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor's appointments, physical therapy, and prescription medications. If your injuries are severe, you may also need ongoing medical treatment or long-term care, such as in-home nursing or rehabilitation services.
Lost Wages
If you have had to miss work as a result of your bicycle accident injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for lost wages. This includes any income you have lost as a result of being unable to work due to your injuries.
Lost wages can include both the income you have already lost, as well as any future income you may lose if you are unable to return to work or if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future. Your personal injury lawyer can help you calculate the value of your lost wages and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages are intended to compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages you have suffered as a result of the accident. This includes compensation for things like:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Calculating pain and suffering damages can be challenging, as there is no set formula for determining their value. Your personal injury lawyer can help you determine the value of your pain and suffering damages based on the specifics of your case and the severity of your injuries.
Property Damage
If your bicycle or other property was damaged in the accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement. This includes the cost of repairing your bicycle or replacing it if it is beyond repair.
Loss of Consortium
In some cases, the spouse of a bicycle accident victim may be entitled to recover damages for loss of consortium. This includes compensation for the loss of companionship, emotional support, and other benefits of the marital relationship that have been lost as a result of the accident.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, a bicycle accident victim may be entitled to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious conduct, such as drunk driving or other reckless behavior. These damages are not meant to compensate the victim, but rather to deter the at-fault party and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Loss of enjoyment of life is a type of noneconomic damages that may be available to bicycle accident victims who have experienced a loss of the ability to enjoy life as they did before the accident. This can include the inability to participate in activities that they once enjoyed or a loss of independence, such as the inability to work, drive, or perform other activities of daily living.
