Trinity Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Cyclist Injury Attorneys

Many motor vehicle drivers believe that bicycles should not belong on public roads. After all, Trinity is home to many purpose-built bike trails like the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail and the Starkey Wilderness Park Trail. There’s no reason for bikers to be on roads, right? Actually, cyclists enjoy the same rights to use public roads as motor vehicles. Unfortunately, many drivers are ignorant of the rights of cyclists and don’t expect to share the road. Unfortunately, accidents can happen as a result.

If a bicycle accident injured you, you have every right to seek compensation from those responsible. The seasoned legal team at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys has long advocated for the rights of cyclists and has extensive experience dealing with bicycle accidents in and around Trinity. Don’t hesitate to call us for your free case evaluation. A Trinity bicycle accident lawyer is standing by to help you seek the justice you deserve.

About Perenich Law Injury Attorneys

Since its founding in 2009, Perenich Law Injury Attorneys has represented thousands of accident victims and claimed compensation for many whose lives would have otherwise been devastated by sky-high medical bills and trauma. Led by brothers Timothy, Gregory, and Terence, Perenich Law Injury Attorneys is committed to advocating for the rights of the wrongfully injured, even if that means going to trial.

As civil trial attorneys, the firm offers the distinct advantage of experience and even comfort going beyond the basic steps of settlement negotiation. Negotiation is hard; going to court is harder. And fighting the hardest battles is what we do.

Our Case Results Speak Volumes

Every Trinity bicycle accident is unique in all its intricacies, and we can make no promises about the outcome we will be able to achieve on your behalf. However, the case results we’ve achieved in the past can act as a marker for the types of cases we have successfully handled.

As you’ll see, we focus on personal injury law and cover a wide range of practice areas from bicycle accidents to medical malpractice.

$2.15 million settlement for auto accident DUI resulting in the death of a 12-year old
$1.23 million verdict and settlement for auto accident DUI resulting in multiple catastrophic injuries
$700,000 jury verdict in the case of a pedestrian accident
$300,000 settlement in a wrongful death case involving a child who died due to shaken baby syndrome

These are just a few of the cases we have recently handled. Visit our verdicts and settlements page or our client reviews page for additional information.

How We Work

Having a knowledgeable Trinity bicycle accident attorney by your side can make the difference between getting full compensation or a lowball settlement offer undercutting you.

With Perenich Law Injury Lawyers by your side, you won’t have to worry about how to handle the insurance companies’ calls or the wording of negligent parties. With our experience, we can negotiate on your behalf, calculate the value of your claim, and investigate the circumstances around your accident.

Here’s how we can help you:

Once we’ve evaluated your claim, we will get straight to work. Taking quick action is vital. The sooner we can take action, the better. Not only has the clock on the statute of limitations started to tick down, but evidence could disappear if we don’t take immediate action.
Our experienced bike crash lawyers in Trinity will look for the evidence that supports your case and ensure that you’re getting the proper assistance by working with medical experts and accident experts.
We can negotiate with the insurance company for you. Many insurance companies will try to devalue your claim or deny it altogether. Remember this; insurance companies are only interested in making money. They will play hardball and try many tactics to try and get you to accept a settlement that is less than you deserve. We can offer guidance through this process.
We will stay by your side and be available to answer questions and explain each step of the process. If things don’t go our way, we’re prepared to go to court. Our ultimate goal is client satisfaction and happiness.

Living through a bicycle accident is a horrific experience we can only imagine. We want you to feel supported every step of the way so you can focus on recovery.

7 Top Causes of Bicycle Accidents

You need to know the specific causes of your bicycle accident to hold the at-fault parties accountable. You need to prove that the at-fault party was negligent in a collision. So, how do you prove that a specific person or party was responsible for your losses? Here are some of the common causes of bicycle accidents in Trinity that can help you.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver’s attention. It includes talking or texting from your phone, talking to people, and fiddling with the stereo or navigation system. These activities can easily cause a bicycle accident since the driver isn’t focused on the road and may not notice cyclists.

Following Too Closely

Drivers who follow too closely at less than three feet to a cyclist leave fewer options to avoid a collision or hit a cyclist.

Speeding

Speeding increases a driver’s stopping time and limits the amount of time to make decisions while on the road. Low speeds can also cause an accident, even though many accidents result from high speed. Bicycle accidents caused by speeding can lead to severe injuries.

Weaving Through Traffic

Drivers weaving through traffic cannot easily see cyclists on the road. They are also less likely to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision.

Unsafe Changing of Lanes

Even when a driver isn’t weaving, a single lane change can also be dangerous. This can result in a bicycle accident when a driver makes an unsafe lane change without considering the presence of a cyclist.

Turning without Looking

Drivers should check for cyclists and pedestrians when at an intersection. Turning without checking for bicyclists can cause a bicycle accident.

Running a Stop Sign or a Red Light

Drivers should stop at a red light. However, this is not the case in many neighborhoods or suburban areas. Failure to stop at a stop sign creates a more significant risk when a driver doesn’t lookout for a cyclist with the right of way.

How to Seek Compensation for a Bicycle Collision

You have the right to seek compensation after sustaining an injury in a bicycle wreck in Trinity. The main factor in a compensation claim is proving that the other party is at-fault for your accident. Here are the steps to take when seeking compensation for a bicycle accident:

Prove That the Other Motorist Had a Duty of Care to You

Duty of care refers to a motorist’s responsibility to other road users. Therefore, they must drive reasonably to protect cyclists and pedestrians. Once a driver breaches these duties, they are negligent and should be held accountable for their actions. Here are various aspects that show a motorist’s duty of care:

Driving at a Reasonable Speed

Every motorist has the legal responsibility of driving safely and reasonably. You may think that driving at the posted maximum speed is safe, but you might still breach your duty of care if that speed is not safe. This situation applies when unsafe conditions such as low visibility, traffic conditions, or road conditions require drivers to drive at a slower speed.

Being on the Lookout

Every driver should be aware of their surroundings. This includes the presence of cyclists and potential hazards that might comfort them and other road users. In a bicycle accident, investigators will check whether the defendant’s actions lacked the actions of a reasonably prudent person to determine if the defendant was at fault in the accident.

For instance, a driver should be on the lookout while driving close to a school zone. Therefore, if the accident occurs in a school zone, it’s easier to prove that the driver breached their duty of care since they were probably not on the lookout.

Duty to Control the Vehicle

All drivers should control their vehicles by paying attention to cyclists and stopping their vehicles.

Duty to Observe Traffic Laws

Drivers should observe traffic laws as long as they are on the road. This includes stopping at a red light, yielding to road users with the right of way, and maintaining their lane. Anything done contrary to these regulations is considered a breach of duty.

Prove that the At-fault Party Breached their Duty of Care

The next step in your bicycle accident compensation claim is proving that the at-fault party breached their duty of care. This means they acted carelessly or recklessly, leading to a bicycle accident.

Breach of duty includes the factors described above, and:

Driving while under the influence
Failing to look out for cyclists when opening the door while on the streets
Driving while fatigued
Failing to make signals when turning or changing lanes
Failure to maintain their vehicle
Driving aggressively

Prove That the At-fault Party Breached of Duty Caused Your Injuries

It’s not enough to prove that a defendant was negligent in your bicycle accident compensation claim. You must also prove that the defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries. Here are pieces of evidence that can help you prove that the driver’s breach of duty caused your injuries:

Evidence From the Accident Scene

You should call the police and report your bicycle accident, regardless of the injuries sustained in the bicycle accident. The police report is crucial in ascertaining that the defendant was at fault in the accident.

Apart from that, you should gather pertinent evidence from the scene of the accident, including:

Pictures of the accident scene
The name, address, license number, and vehicle registration plate number of the at-fault driver
Traffic footage of the accident
Names and contact information of any eyewitnesses
The condition of the vehicle involved and signs such as vehicle debris and skid marks
Witness testimonies

Medical Records

After a bicycle wreck, you should visit a doctor, whether you sustained minor or severe injuries. This will help you gather medical evidence proving that you sustained injuries due to the defendant’s breach of duty of care.

Here are medical records that you can use as evidence:

Doctor’s records

These are the initial records obtained during your emergency treatment and records obtained during your follow-up care. These records detail what caused the injuries and how they continued to affect you after your treatment.

Medical Records

You need to seek evidence proving your treatment for the injuries sustained in the bicycle accident, whether it’s a minor dressing of a wound or extensive surgery. Medical records will also document the nature of injuries sustained and the type of treatment that you need.

Independent medical assessment report

It’s advisable to seek an independent medical review apart from the one received throughout your treatment. This is a more detailed assessment since it aims at checking your injuries and evaluating their impact. After assessing you, the doctor will write a report for all parties involved in the claim.

Now that you know what evidence you need for your claim, it’s essential to know which type of injuries you can sustain to ensure that your evidence is accurate and reflects the injuries sustained in the accident.

Here are seven common injuries you can sustain in a Trinity bicycle crash:

Head injuries
Soft tissues injuries
Leg injuries
Facial and dental injuries
Fractured or broken collarbone
Back and spinal injuries
Whiplash
Sprain and fractures

Please note these injuries vary according to the severity of the accident. Severe bicycle accidents might lead to severe injuries like Traumatic Brain Injury and spinal cord injury. In contrast, a minor accident can lead to minor injuries like fractures and soft tissues injuries.

Prove That You Incurred Damages in the Accident

This is the last step in a bicycle accident compensation claim. In this step, you must prove that you incurred damages due to the injuries sustained from the accident. Damages refer to the sum of money imposed on a defendant for the injuries sustained from their negligent action. You can recover the following damages in your compensation claim:

Special or Economic Damages

These damages refer to damages with tangible documentation. Medical expenses, lost earning capacity, lost wages, and property damages.

General or Non-Economic Damages

These damages refer to damages without tangible documentation. They include loss of consortium, pain, and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The point of seeking these damages is to compensate cyclists who cannot recover their regular life experiences due to the injuries sustained from an accident.

So, how do you prove your damages in a bicycle accident?

Here are five pieces of evidence you need to prove your damages in a bicycle accident:

Medical bills showing your treatment and medication expenses
Letter from your employee showing your lost time at work
Reports from psychologists proving that you suffered emotional damages from the accident
A copy of your journal detailing your experience as a result of the accident
Testimonies from your spouse proving loss of consortium and enjoyment of life

By proving these facts, you’re in a better position to recover compensation for the damages incurred in the accident. However, you have much to consider. For instance, you must calculate the actual dollar value of your damages, negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company adjuster, and probably file a lawsuit. It’s much easier to go through these steps through the intervention of an attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Your actions after a bicycle accident matter a lot in your compensation claim.

Ensure that following a bicycle accident you:

Wait for the police to arrive
Avoid negotiating with the at-fault party about compensation
Obtain the driver’s contact information
Document the accident
Seek medical attention
Seek advice from an attorney

When Can You Sue After a Bicycle Accident?

Anytime, as long as you’re a victim of an accident. However, your knowledgeable Trinity bicycle accident attorney should advise you on the best time to file a lawsuit. In most cases, the process starts with negotiating an out-of-court settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer. You should only consider filing a lawsuit if the negotiations don’t bear any results.

Can a Cyclist Cause a Bicycle Accident?

Yes. A cyclist could be at fault in a bicycle accident if their actions breached their duty of care to themselves and other road users. For instance, failing to yield, riding against traffic, and failing to use their designated lanes can make a cyclist liable for their accident.

You should note that cyclists can share liability in a bicycle accident, especially if their actions don’t entirely contribute to the accident. In this case, the modified-comparative negligence principle applies. In this principle, a cyclist who is more than 50% at fault for their own injuries cannot recover damages

How Much Can You Recover From a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit?

The value of your bicycle accident claim depends on the total amount of your damages. As mentioned earlier, there are both economic and non-economic damages in a bicycle accident compensation claim. It’s easier to determine your economic damages, but determining your non-economic damages can be challenging. Our well-practiced Trinity bicycle collision lawyers should help you calculate and decide the correct dollar value for your damages.

What Are the Benefits of Filing a Lawsuit Compared With Out-of-Court Settlement?

Out-of-court settlement can be the right decision for your bicycle accident compensation claim, but not in all cases.

The advantages of a trial include:

You might recover more money
It allows you to settle things that seem wrong and raise public awareness

Your experienced Trinity cyclist injury lawyer can walk you through the pros and cons of settling your case or going to trial, depending on the facts of your specific claim.

Speak With a Trinity Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

Dealing with bicycle accident cases can be complicated and devastating. With a wide range of legal issues involved, it becomes nearly impossible for a normal person to walk into a case and win without the help of a Trinity bicycle accident lawyer.

The team at Perenich Law Injury Attorneys is standing by to provide a free case evaluation and give you peace of mind. We will take quick action, work with medical experts, investigate the incident, collect evidence, and provide additional support to represent you, whether in or out of court. Don’t wait. Contact us now. We are always here, day or night, to help you.