At The Malhotra Law Firm, we take pride in working to make the community a safer place for everyone. By helping our clients take legal action against people who cause accidents, we hold those parties accountable. Cyclists have all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, but drivers frequently cause accidents by ignoring bicycles and refusing to share the road. If a negligent driver has injured you or a family member, then a personal injury lawyer from our firm wants to meet with you to discuss the situation and determine whether you have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
While the majority of bicycle accidents are caused by automobiles, crashes may also be caused by other cyclists, or unsafe terrain. When a cyclist is hit by a car, it most often happens at an intersection. Cyclists are considered vehicles, and share the rights to the road, but drivers are not always on the lookout for bicycles. In other instances, cyclists who travel in large compact groups may not be paying attention to their surroundings, or fail to brake, which can cause a major accident. The cyclists are in close proximity to each other, and therefore it is more difficult to avoid hazards. Lastly, a bike accident could occur as a result of a cyclist who loses control of his bike because of unsafe riding conditions or defective parts. This type of accident would fall under premises liability or defective product, both of which our lawyers are experienced in handling.
By demonstrating that the accident was caused by the driver’s careless or reckless actions, it may be possible to recover full compensation to offset the economic impact of the accident. This compensation can include all of your costs for medical treatment and your lost income, as well as monetary damages for your pain and suffering. Whether you have suffered a broken collarbone, road rash, or a catastrophic injury such as a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, our goal is to see you receive a large enough insurance settlement or jury verdict so that you are not forced to pay the price for the driver’s actions.
Tampa Bay is actively working to make the city fully accessible to cyclists, both for recreational riding and as alternative transportation for commuting to work. Even with such programs in place, many drivers continue to cause accidents, such as by turning at intersections without looking or by denying the cyclist’s right of way. Our bicycle accident attorney from our firm can come to meet with you at the hospital or in your home and will be able to answer your questions and help you determine how much your claim may be worth.