Pompano Beach is a haven for bicycle riders, boasting warm weather and plentiful bike trails and paths. Unfortunately, cyclists face challenges from motorists who don’t follow the rules to safely share the road, resulting in bicycle crashes.
When a heavy car or truck collides with a bicycle, catastrophic injuries and even wrongful death can result.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a bicycle accident, you may have a personal injury claim. The Pompano Beach bicycle accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello are skilled at handling bicycle accident claims to secure fair compensation for injuries and losses.
We have over 20 years of combined experience in representing clients in bicycle accident claims and are committed to achieving positive outcomes for our clients.
Call us today at (844) 877-8679.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello for Your Pompano Beach Bicycle Accident Claim?
The Pompano Beach bicycle accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello understand the physical and emotional toll that a bicycle accident can have on your life. Our compassionate legal team will support you every step of the way, providing guidance and assistance during this challenging time.
We will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and tailor our legal strategy to achieve the best possible outcome for your bicycle accident claim.
Our Broward County office serves clients throughout South Florida, including Pompano Beach. We know the local laws, courts, and procedures. This local knowledge can help your case.
There is no cost or obligation to talk to one of our personal injury attorneys.
Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
Our Pompano Beach Office Location and Headquarters
Kaiser Romanello P.A. is located at 11555 Heron Bay Boulevard in Broward County, Florida, approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. You can call us at (844) 877-8679 to meet with one of our personal injury attorneys to discuss your claim
Pompano Beach Bicycle Accident Statistics
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) keeps a record of accident statistics on its Florida Crash Dashboard. The most recent report tallied 276,492 crashes in the state, which accounted for 2,331 deaths and 176,029 injuries. Broward County reported 28,249 crashes with 135 fatalities and 17,264 injuries.
FLHSMV reports 5,714 reported annual bicycle crashes in Florida, with 151 bicycle fatalities. In Broward County, there were 506 bicycle crashes with seven reported bicyclist deaths.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its most recent report said cyclist fatalities accounted for 5 percent of the total 29,945 traffic deaths in Florida. There were 197 pedacyclist fatalities in Florida out of a total of 3,738 traffic fatalities, accounting for 5.3 percent of the total fatalities. Florida had a 12.7 percent increase in overall fatalities on the road in 2021, according to NHTSA.
NHTSA also reported that bicyclists were most often in traffic crashes involving passenger cars, followed by SUVs and pickup trucks. Crashes with light trucks (vans) and large trucks were the next most common types of vehicles involved in bicycle crashes nationwide.
In Florida, NHTSA reported 73 bicycle fatalities from single-vehicle crashes involving passenger cars, followed by 38 from pickup trucks and 32 from SUVs. The agency reported that 25 percent of fatal bicycle crashes happened at intersections, and most bicycle accidents with fatalities, 60 percent, occurred when it was dark.
Hazardous Locations for Pompano Beach Bicycle Accidents
When traveling in Pompano Beach, bicyclists can face increased risks in certain traffic situations and locations.
Some of the most dangerous places for bicyclists in traffic include:
- Intersections: Intersections are often high-risk areas for cyclists, as they involve complex traffic interactions. Collisions can occur when vehicles turn left or right without noticing or yielding to cyclists.
- Driveways and Alleys: Drivers may not always check for cyclists when entering or exiting driveways or alleys, leading to potential accidents.
- Narrow Roads: Roads with narrow lanes may not provide enough space for both vehicles and bicycles to safely share the road. This can increase the risk of close encounters and collisions.
- High-Speed Roads: Roads with higher speed limits can be especially dangerous for cyclists, as the speed differential between vehicles and bicycles increases the severity of accidents.
- Roads With No Bike Lanes or Shoulders: Roads without designated bike lanes or shoulders force cyclists to share the same lane as vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents, particularly in areas with heavy traffic.
- Vehicle Blind Spots: Cyclists can end up in a vehicle’s blind spot, making them less visible to drivers and increasing the risk of being hit during lane changes or turns.
- Heavy Traffic: Areas with heavy traffic can create more opportunities for conflicts between vehicles and cyclists.
- Door Zones: Parking lanes along the side of the road can pose a risk to cyclists. Dooring accidents occur when a parked vehicle’s door opens into the path of an oncoming cyclist.
- Poorly Lit Areas: Riding in poorly lit areas or during nighttime can reduce a cyclist’s visibility to drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Construction Zones: Construction zones can create unexpected obstacles and hazards for cyclists, such as uneven road surfaces, debris, and changes in traffic patterns.
Types of Bicycle Collisions
Most of the locations where bicycle accidents occur have common factors that lead to a crash.
Typical collisions include:
- Right-Hook Collisions: This occurs when a motor vehicle, typically making a right turn at an intersection or driveway, fails to notice a cyclist traveling in the same direction on the right side of the road. The vehicle turns across the cyclist’s path, leading to a collision.
- Left-Turn Collisions: In this scenario, a motorist making a left turn at an intersection or driveway may not see an oncoming cyclist, leading to a collision when the cyclist continues straight through the intersection.
- Dooring Incidents: Doorings happen when a driver or passenger in a parked vehicle opens their car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, causing a collision.
- Rear-End Collisions: A cyclist stopped at an intersection or slowed down in traffic can be vulnerable to a motorist who doesn’t notice them and rear-ends the bicycle.
- Unsafe Overtaking: Motorists passing cyclists without providing a safe distance (often referred to as buzzing) can result in collisions if the vehicle gets too close or cuts off the cyclist.
- Impaired or Distracted Driving: Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or distracted by activities like texting are more likely to fail to notice cyclists on the road.
- Poor Road Conditions: Uneven road surfaces, potholes, debris, or inadequate signage can contribute to bicycle accidents.
- Speeding: Motorists driving at excessive speeds have less time to react to cyclists or may misjudge the cyclist’s speed, leading to accidents.
Drivers must also be aware of their surroundings, exercise caution around cyclists, and yield the right-of-way when necessary to ensure everyone’s safety on the road.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
When a bicycle rider is struck by a car or another heavy vehicle, the injuries can vary in severity, ranging from minor to life-threatening.
Some common injuries that may result from such accidents include:
- Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet. These injuries can range from concussions to severe brain damage and may lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments. No head injury should be considered minor.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact with a vehicle can cause spinal cord injuries, which may result in paralysis or loss of motor function.
- Broken Bones: Cyclists are at risk of fractures, particularly to the arms, legs, wrists, and collarbone, due to the impact with the vehicle or the road.
- Road Rash: When a cyclist is thrown from their bike, they may slide on the road, leading to abrasions, known as road rash. These injuries can vary in severity, from minor scrapes to deep wounds.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a collision can cause internal injuries, such as damage to organs, internal bleeding, or fractured ribs.
- Facial Injuries: Facial injuries, including fractures, lacerations, and dental damage, can occur when a cyclist’s face makes contact with the vehicle or the road.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are common in bicycle accidents, affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Abrasions and Contusions: Bruises, cuts, and scrapes may require medical attention, especially if they become infected.
- Psychological Trauma: Bicycle accidents can lead to psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, which may require therapy or counseling.
- Amputations: Severe injuries may require amputations of limbs or digits.
- Wrongful Death: Tragically, bicycle accidents involving vehicles can result in fatal injuries for the cyclist.
The severity of injuries can depend on the speed of the vehicle, the point of impact, helmet use, and the overall health and age of the cyclist. In any case, seek immediate medical attention after a bicycle accident, even if injuries appear minor, as some injuries may not manifest symptoms right away.
Seeing a doctor right after a bicycle accident also is important in establishing an official record connecting the injuries to the accident, which can help in pursuing a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit. Your attorney will explore legal options for compensation and provide support after such an accident.
Florida Bicycle Laws
Florida has specific laws and regulations related to bicycle accidents and the use of bicycles on public roadways. In Florida, bicycles are legally considered vehicles, so cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. Vehicle drivers also have certain obligations when interacting with bicycles and bike lanes to ensure the safety of cyclists.
While Florida does not have a statewide helmet law for adults, it does require helmets for cyclists under the age of 16. Bicycles used at night require a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector or light visible from 600 feet.
Florida has designated bike lanes in many areas. Cyclists should use these lanes when available, and motorists should respect these lanes and give cyclists space. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to bicycles in bike lanes and at intersections. Drivers also should not enter a bike lane except when making a lawful turn or crossing a bike lane to enter or exit a driveway or parking lot.
Motorists are required to maintain a safe distance when passing bicycles, typically a minimum of three feet. If the road is too narrow to pass safely, drivers should wait until it is safe to do so.
Cyclists should ride as far to the right as practicable but the law doesn’t require them to ride on the shoulder or the edge of the road if it’s unsafe. Drivers should not overtake a bicycle if it could injure the cyclist.
Cyclists may ride at a slower pace, and drivers must give them space and not rush or engage in aggressive driving behaviors. It is illegal for drivers to harass, taunt, or throw objects at cyclists. Cyclists have the same legal right to use the road as motorists.
Drivers need to uphold these responsibilities and exercise caution and courtesy when sharing the road with bicycles. Failure to do so can result in accidents and legal consequences. Additionally, understanding and respecting the rights of cyclists contributes to overall road safety.
If you have questions about a bicycle accident in Pompano Beach, consult with a local attorney who specializes in personal injury and bicycle accident cases. Your lawyer will know the specific laws and regulations in Pompano Beach, Florida, and will know about any changes or local ordinances that may affect your personal injury claim.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Bicycle Accident?
Hiring a lawyer for your bicycle accident claim can significantly improve your chances of obtaining fair compensation and protect your rights during the legal process.
Personal injury lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding bicycle accident cases.
They can navigate the legal system, assess the strength of your case, and guide you through the entire process.
- Investigation: Lawyers can thoroughly investigate the accident. This includes gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with accident reconstruction experts to establish liability.
- Case Evaluation: A lawyer can evaluate the merits of your case and determine if you have a valid claim. They will consider liability, damages, and insurance coverage to provide you with realistic expectations.
- Maximizing Compensation: Lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries. They know how to calculate damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future expenses, to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Time and Efficiency: Legal processes can be time-consuming and complex. Lawyers can streamline the process and ensure deadlines are met, preventing unnecessary delays. In Florida, the statute of limitations for a personal injury or wrongful death claim is typically two years. If you don’t file your claim within the required timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Your lawyer will advise you about the statute of limitations as it applies to your claim.
- Negotiation Skills: Experienced attorneys are skilled negotiators who can engage with insurance companies on your behalf. They will work to reach a fair settlement without the need for a lengthy and stressful court battle.
If your case does go to court, you need a lawyer. They will represent you, present evidence, and argue your case in front of a judge and jury. Lawyers can use their knowledge of relevant laws and regulations, including traffic laws and local ordinances, to build a strong case in your favor.
A lawyer can relieve you of much of the stress associated with legal and insurance matters, allowing you to focus on recovery. Knowing that you have a knowledgeable advocate on your side can provide peace of mind during a challenging time. You can trust that your lawyer is working in your best interests.
How Much Does a Pompano Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney Cost?
Kaiser Romanello works with clients on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs to you. The attorney only gets paid if we obtain a favorable settlement or win the case in court.
Contingency fee arrangements level the playing field, making it possible for individuals to obtain fair compensation from a big insurance company and its team of lawyers.
Contact Kaiser Romanello Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury after a bicycle accident, or if someone tragically died in this type of accident, contact the experienced team of Pompano Beach personal injury lawyers at Kaiser Romanello today.
Bicycle accidents may result in catastrophic physical and emotional injuries, medical costs, chronic pain, reduced quality of life, lost income, or even wrongful death. We have 20 years of experience and know what to look for in establishing liability for your bicycle accident claim.
Our offices are located in Broward County. We know the area and understand the traffic laws and regulations that may affect your claim.
Talk to us. Kaiser Romanello P.A. offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our lawyers to evaluate your potential claim.
Call us today at (844) 877-8679 to set up a free consultation or fill out the contact form on our website. Our legal team will fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one.
