Bicycle Accidents

Let The Villages Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You Recover Compensation

Injuries suffered in a bicycle accident can be traumatic. You could be facing spinal cord trauma, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), broken bones, fractures, torn ligaments, severed limbs, joint damage, broken collarbones, and numerous other injuries. Your treatment plan could take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the severity of your injuries. This is where The Villages bicycle accident attorneys at Whittel & Melton come in.

We can work with medical professionals and insurance providers to make sure you receive the medical care that your injuries warrant. We want to make sure the full scope of your injuries are covered both now and in the future, if necessary. Whether you live in The Villages, Bushnell, Tavares, Ocala, or elsewhere in Marion, Sumter, or Lake County, we can pour over the details of your accident and work to get your medical, financial, and legal matters all taken care of in a timely fashion.

The Risk of Bicycle Accidents in Florida is Alarmingly High

Bicycle accidents are far too common in Florida, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the top causes: falls and collisions with motor vehicles. No matter the cause, all cyclists share the same goal—staying safe and avoiding tragedy.

The good news? There are proactive steps cyclists can take to reduce their risk. The first step is understanding key bicycle safety facts:

• Evening hours are the most dangerous. Most bike-related accidents occur between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., regardless of the season.
• Urban areas see more fatalities. Statistics show that bicycle deaths are more frequent in cities than in rural areas.
• Men are at a higher risk. Studies reveal that 86% of cyclists killed and 81% of those injured in accidents are male.
• Alcohol plays a significant role. In 2020 of the 930 crashes resulting in a bicyclist fatality, 125 of those crashes involved an alcohol-impaired motor vehicle driver (NCSA, 2022).

Riders can better protect themselves on Florida’s roads by staying aware of these risks and practicing safe cycling habits.

The key takeaway here is to ride responsibly on the roadway. In Florida and every other state, cyclists must follow the same rules and responsibilities on the road as all other motorists.

Breaking Down Bicycle Crash Statistics in Florida

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recently released 2019 data for bicycle accidents. Here is the breakdown for The Villages and the surrounding areas:

• Marion County
  • 76 Bicycle Accidents
  • 1 Fatality
  • 71 Injuries

• Lake County
  • 57 Bicycle Accidents
  • 1 Fatality
  • 54 Injuries

• Sumter County
  • 15 Bicycle Accidents
  • 1 Fatality
  • 14 Injuries

Stay Safe on the Road: Tips for Defensive Biking in The Villages

Defensive biking means being focused and alert to others sharing the road with you. You want to try and predict what others will do, before they do it because the sooner you anticipate a risk, the sooner you can avoid a potential crash. What are some ways you can avoid a bike crash?

1. Just like a car, obey all traffic signs and signals.
2. Ride with the flow of traffic, which means travelling in the same direction as traffic.
3. Always assume other drivers cannot see you
4. Keep an eye out for any potential hazards that could cause you to fall, such as potholes, gravel, trash, grates, or even train tracks.
5. Do not use your cell phone or other devices while biking. Texting, talking, or listening to music are all distractions that can take your ears and eyes away from the road, which can ultimately result in a tragic accident.

Even if you follow all the rules, an accident may be beyond your control. No matter if you were partially to blame or not, a consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer will help you determine your next steps.

Learn Your Legal Options by Scheduling a Free Consultation With The Villages Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Our Firm

At Whittel & Melton, our personal injury attorneys are here to help any cyclists that were injured or wrongfully killed in accidents that were the result of someone else’s negligence. If another person’s negligence is to blame for your cycling injury, we want to help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve for your suffering. On that same note, if you lost a loved one in a bicycle fatality caused by another driver or a poorly maintained path or road, we want to help you fight for any monetary compensation that may be available.

The Villages bicycle accident lawyer will fully investigate the accident and determine liability. We can then fight aggressively on your behalf to recover the true value of your accident case, either through negotiations or in court. You can reach us today online or by calling toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529) or call 352-369-5334.