The dedicated bicycle accident attorneys The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., have spent decades helping injured Floridians recover monetary damages after Florida traffic accidents. Whether an accident was caused by a swerving buzzed or distracted driver, a reckless driver blowing through a stop sign or accelerating late on a yellow light, a driver failing to properly yield to a cyclist, or a dangerous intersection that should have been designed with better safety measures, our Florida bike accident lawyers are ready to help you and your family recover the damages you are owed for the injuries you have suffered.
What Causes Florida Bike Accidents?
A variety of factors impact the high number of bike crashes on Florida roadways each year. A lot of bicycles are on the road at any given time, and bicyclists must share the road with drivers who are not always on the lookout for hard-to-see cyclists. The number of bikes on the road comes in large part from the state’s massive tourism, great weather, beautiful attractions, and bike-friendly communities. Not all drivers are as eager to share the roads with cyclists, however, and many fail to take the precautions necessary to keep Florida roadways safe for everyone else.
The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., have investigated numerous bike accident claims on behalf of our clients in Lee County. These accidents resulted from a wide range of causes, the majority of which involved some kind of human error. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Florida include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding and other aggressive driving maneuvers
- Failing to signal before turning or changing lanes
- Failing to check blind spots and otherwise take note of everyone on the road
Florida Helmet Laws
Not everyone in Florida is required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle on a public roadway. Florida law requires anyone under 16 years of age to wear a properly fitted and properly fastened bicycle helmet while riding a bike. Passengers, including children riding in a trailer or semi-trailer attached to a bicycle, are subject to the same rules and regulations. For a helmet to be proper under Florida law, it must meet federal safety standards.
At The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., our bike injury legal team strongly recommends wearing a helmet whenever you plan to ride on a public road in Florida. Helmets can prevent or mitigate the most severe head trauma and brain damage, and they may be the difference between a recoverable injury and death. Even if the law does not require a helmet, it is generally a good practice to wear one. That being said, the damages award for a cyclist injured by a negligent driver should not be reduced merely because the rider was not wearing a helmet. Helmets are not required by law for adult riders, and negligent drivers must be held accountable for the full extent of any injuries they cause. Our bike accident injury team will vigorously pursue a claim for damages or wrongful death on behalf of you and your family if you were hurt by a negligent driver on a Florida road.
Call For Help After a Fort Myers Bike Accident
If you or a loved one has been hurt or killed in a bicycle accident in Fort Myers, Orlando, or throughout Florida, reach out to a dedicated Fort Myers bicycle injury lawyer for advice and representation. Contact the passionate and talented Florida bicycle crash legal team at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A., at 239-649-8050 today for a free consultation.
