Miami Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Miami Beach is a bike-friendly city. With miles of green bicycle lanes, running errands or getting to work on your bike is easy. Plus, Miami Beach offers some spectacular views for cyclists. Enjoy the palm trees, colorful homes, and eclectic architecture as you bike down Ocean Drive. Or experience that ocean views as you cruise by Indian Beach.
Even with dedicated bike lanes, accidents can happen. Drivers who speed, ignore the rules of the road, or are distracted can cause grave harm if they swerve into a bike lane or hit a cyclist on the street or sidewalk. Cyclists can be seriously hurt if they are struck by a moving vehicle or swerve to avoid a crash.
If you have suffered severe injuries in a Miami Beach biking accident, you should take immediate steps to find out what legal options you may have to recover compensation for your loss. Since 1963, Wolfson & Leon has defended people seriously hurt in bicycle, pedestrian, and automobile accidents. We offer a free consultation, so it costs you nothing to discover what legal rights you may have in a Miami Beach bicycle accident.
Call 305-285-1115 today to speak with a Miami Beach bicycle crash lawyer.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Miami-Dade CountyMiami-Dade County reported 918 bicycle accidents in 2022, which resulted in 17 fatalities and 844 injuries. Nearly 92% of bicycle crashes resulted in injury, and 2% resulted in death. As more people rely on bicycles to get around, cycle-related accidents are rising. The number of bicycle-related accidents and injuries rose over 15% from 2021 to 2022 in Miami-Dade County.
In comparison, Miami-Dade County experienced 59,623 passenger vehicle crashes in 2022, resulting in 161 deaths and 25,599 injuries. With a sturdy car frame and other safety devices, the fatality rate was far lower at .2% and the injury rate at 43%. The percentage of crashes in 2021 resulting in injury or death was slightly higher at 44% and .3%.
Why are Miami Beach Bicycle Accidents So Dangerous?As a cyclist, you trust drivers will operate their cars safely and carefully. When drivers neglect this responsibility, it can cause considerable harm to everyone on the road. Bike riders don’t have steel frames, seat belts, or heavy doors to protect them from harm. If hit, a cyclist’s body absorbs the impact of the crash. Or the crash could have thrown a cyclist onto the hard pavement. In some cases, a bike rider could be run over by a passing car.
Some of the most common causes of Miami Beach bicycle accidents are caused when drivers:
- Run red lights or stop signs.
- Don’t yield to oncoming bike traffic when making turns.
- Back out of driveways or parking spots without looking for bicycles traveling behind them.
- Open their car doors into the path of a bike.
- Swerve or drive in bike lanes.
- Fail to pay attention when driving.
- Follow too closely behind a bicycle.
- Switch lanes without checking their blind spots.
- Hit cyclists in crosswalks.
- Pull out into traffic before looking for oncoming bikes.
- Operate their vehicles when impaired or tired.
Bicycle accidents can result in severe injuries. A cyclist who hits their head on the pavement, curb, or vehicle could experience a traumatic brain injury, such as a brain hemorrhage or concussion.
A bike rider could suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, torn muscles, sprained ligaments, road burns, and deep cuts or lacerations.
If you have suffered severe injury in a Miami Beach bicycle accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries don’t seem all that serious, a visit to the doctor is still necessary. You may not realize you have hit your head or injured your neck or back until a few hours or days later. Even if the accident seems minor, seeking medical care may help you avoid further injury.
What If I Can’t Afford Legal Help If Hurt in a Miami Beach Bicycle Accident?You have a lot to lose when you get hurt in a Miami Beach bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault. Serious bicycle crash injuries can affect your way of life. You may be in immense pain. The damage might be so severe that you might need extensive medical care, surgeries, and hospitalization. Some injuries may require continuing care and in-home help. You may not be able to return to work until you have recovered from your Miami Beach bicycle accident. If you have suffered extensive damage in the crash, your ability to earn a living in the future may be affected.
For all these reasons, talking with a best Miami Beach bike injury accident lawyer is critical to help you understand your legal rights. But what if you cannot afford to make that call? Or you don’t have the money to pay an attorney to represent your rights?
Wolfson & Leon offers a free consultation. Ask questions, gather information, and find out what legal rights you might have when severely hurt. Should you have a Miami Beach bicycle accident case, you don’t need to stress about paying our legal fees. We work on a contingency basis, so you only pay for our legal services when we settle your case.
Since 1963, the Law Offices of Wolfson & Leon have vigorously defended people gravely hurt in a Miami Beach bicycle crash. The process of pursuing damages can be overwhelming when you are badly hurt. So, when we represent you, our Miami Beach accident lawyers handle such areas of your case, including filing paperwork, making phone calls, and negotiating a settlement.
Were you injured in a Miami Beach bike crash and want to know your legal rights? Call Wolfson & Leon today at 305-285-1115.