Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale Handled by Legal Professionals

Scenic routes, mild weather, and bike-friendly infrastructure make Fort Lauderdale ideal for bicyclists. Additionally, bike-sharing programs like AvMed Rides are available, and events like Critical Mass occur to promote healthy living and community involvement.

However, there is a concern: with the growing number of cyclists on the roads, the city experiences a higher-than-average rate of cycling accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 676 bicycle crashes have occurred in Broward County as of November 2023. Most of these took place in Fort Lauderdale and left 635 people seriously injured.

Unfortunately, people often encounter challenging times after these accidents. They might not understand their rights, options, and the intricate legal system of Fort Lauderdale. Furthermore, insurance companies try to take advantage of victims’ vulnerabilities by offering low compensation or denying their claims, especially when their medical bills are piling up.

Did you sustain injuries in a bicycle accident in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Florida? If so, contact us. We are a team of dedicated personal injury lawyers, led by Amanda Demanda herself, based in South Florida. We can help you navigate the intricate legal system and recover the compensation you deserve.

The people of Fort Lauderdale have trusted Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers for years.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Laws in Fort Lauderdale

Minor changes keep happening with personal injury laws to keep up with the evolving needs of society.

But recently, there have been significant changes to Florida’s personal injury laws, directly impacting Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents. Thus, you need dependable Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys to pursue your bicycle accident case.

General Bicycle Laws

As per section 316.2065 of Florida Statutes, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. For example, obeying traffic signals, riding with the traffic flow, stopping at stop signs, etc.

Laws that apply specifically to bicyclists are:

• You cannot carry another person on your bike if it only has one seat.
• Your bike must be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front, a red reflector, and a lamp on the rear emitting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear when riding between sunset and sunrise.
• You must give an intention signal before turning during the last 100 feet of the turn.
• Ride in the bike lane when one is available.
• If you’re under 16 years old, you must wear a helmet.
• A vehicle driver must maintain a 3-foot distance while overtaking a cyclist.

Bike Accident Injury Claims Options

Every bicycle accident is unique, but generally, you have options to file your claim with any of the following:

Your Auto Insurance Company

Florida requires all drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance and turn to their insurer in case of auto accident injuries. So, if you own a car and have PIP coverage, it will also cover your bodily injury expenses in bike accidents. If you don’t have PIP but live with a relative who does, their insurer will cover your bodily injury expenses.

However, PIP only covers your bodily injury expenses up to $10,000. Therefore, you need to explore other options if you have sustained a serious injury in a bike accident.

If you have uninsured motorist coverage, you can also file your bicycle accident claim under it. The losses it can cover will depend on your policy limit.

At Fault Party’s Insurance Company

You can file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company if they have a policy of third-party liability coverage.

You also have the option to file your claim with the employer of the at-fault party in some situations. For instance, if an Uber driver hits you, you can take advantage of their 1 million dollar insurance policy. With this option, you can recover non-economic and economic damages.

Your Health Insurance Company

If you have a health insurance policy, it will cover your medical expenses. But, if you exercise other options and can recover compensation for all the damages, your health insurance company will expect you to reimburse them for the medical expenses.

Florida’s New Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Florida used to follow the pure comparative negligence rule where there was no restriction on pursuing a claim to recover damages based on the level of fault. Anyone could pursue a claim to recover damages regardless of their level of fault.

The new rule holds the at-fault party responsible for their percentage of negligence for the bicycle accident. You can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your bike accident; however, your percentage of fault cannot exceed 50%.

For example, if you were 10% at fault for your bicycle accident, you can recover 90% of the compensation award. But if you were more than 50% at fault, you cannot pursue a claim to recover damages.

Statutes of Limitations

These define the time limit for filing your bicycle accident lawsuit. If you don’t file within a particular time frame, the court will not hear your claim. As a result, you will not be able to recover any compensation for your damages.

You have two years to file your bike accident lawsuit from the date your accident occurred. Previously, you had four years before the modifications to Florida’s personal injury laws.

At Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers, we understand bicycle accident laws and stay up-to-date on any modifications to personal injury laws.

The Role of Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident Lawyers

The role of a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyer is crucial and broad. It starts with getting acquainted with your situation and answering your questions to assisting you until you receive the compensation cheque from the at-fault party.

But your attorney’s primary function is to approach your case with a strategy that includes:

• Formulating the best options to recover maximum compensation.
• Building a strong case and negotiating a fair settlement with insurance companies.
• Going to trial if needed to get you the compensation you deserve.

For example, if a Lyft driver caused your injuries, your best option would be to take advantage of its $1 million policy and negotiate your settlement with Lyft rather than the driver.

Dealing With the Insurance Companies and Negotiating a Fair Settlement

It requires extensive experience to negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies.

Insurance companies handle multiple bicycle accident claims in a year. They are for-profit entities, not your friends. You cannot expect them to reduce their profits and assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve.

They use various tactics to deny your claim or lowball your compensation. For instance, their insurance adjuster can ask you to give a recorded statement after the accident to look for inconsistencies.

Our experienced bicycle accident lawyer is well-versed in all their tactics and knows how to negotiate a fair settlement for you.

File a Lawsuit and Go to Trial

Most bicycle accident cases are settled through negotiation.

However, if the insurance company is not ready to settle your case for a fair amount of compensation, a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorney will file your lawsuit and go to trial.

They will represent you and prove the other party’s negligence in court. If successful, the court will grant you compensation for your damages.

We understand the legal community of Fort Lauderdale and the local laws. Entrust us with your case; we can gather all the crucial evidence and represent you effectively at trial.

Why Choose Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers for Your Bicycle Accident Case?

Our founder, Amanda Demanda, established the Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers to help the people of South Florida rebuild their lives after being disrupted by an accident.

Her inspiration to help personal injury victims began when she represented insurance companies and defended their interests. She witnessed the struggles of personal injury victims and their family members; how they had to deal with high medical expenses, legal complexities, and the challenges presented by insurance companies. Therefore, she decided to switch sides and help people instead of the corporations.

So, if you decide to pursue your bike accident case with Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers, you will not be just another client. You will have 24/7 access to the firm, especially to your attorney, for any concerns relating to your case.

Legal directories such as Avvo, National Trial Lawyers, Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice recognize our personal injury law expertise. Recently, she secured a $43 million jury verdict for her client, involved in a drunk driving accident case.

At Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers, we have successfully handled multiple types of Fort Lauderdale bike accidents, including:

• Collision with motor vehicles
• Dooring accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Defective bicycle parts
• Accidents due to unsafe road conditions

Listen to what our past clients have to say:

“Very professional and aggressive. Got me the results I deserved. Highly recommend attorney Amanda, she cared for me like I was family. Thank you, Amanda and your staff!” – Emily

We also offer a free initial consultation service, allowing you to explore your options and get acquainted with our firm.

Don’t hesitate to contact us. We understand the ever-changing bicycle accident laws, the legal community of Fort Lauderdale, and the strategies of insurance companies since our founder worked with them. We’ve helped many injured bicyclists recover the compensation they deserve.

What Compensation Can Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers Recover in Your Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident Case?

Every bicycle accident is unique and demands a bespoke approach. So the compensation you can receive depends on your situation.

Florida law allows for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

These cover the monetary losses that you sustained due to your bicycle accident. They include:

• Damage to your bike
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
•  Future earning ability 

Non-economic Damages

These cover your other losses that don’t have an inherent monetary value. They include:

• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life

As mentioned previously, the role of a bicycle accident lawyer is to examine your situation and identify the best way to get maximum compensation for your claim. Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers has been helping bicycle accident victims for years and can help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.

Our Fee Structure: What We Charge

Amanda Demada Injury Lawyers operates on a contingency basis. This means you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. You pay us nothing until we successfully recover compensation for your bicycle accident case. We will support you throughout the process; from evaluating your case to representing you in court, all at no cost. Our fee will only be 33.33% of your compensation after you receive it.

Don’t Wait—Consult Us About Your Bicycle Accident Case Today

As we have handled many bicycle accident cases, we understand how serious injuries and expensive medical bills make your life difficult. Furthermore, insurance companies and Fort Lauderdale’s complex legal system also pose many challenges in recovering rightful compensation. We can provide you with support in this difficult time. Trust us to be your ally, and let us handle all your legal challenges so you can focus on your recovery.

Schedule a free consultation and let us know about your bicycle accident case. We understand that you might doubt whether we are the right choice for you. Therefore, we offer a free consultation to help you become acquainted with our firm’s supportive environment.

Call us at 305-902-4214 or 844-336-2632, or message us online for a free case review to understand your rights and options. You lose nothing and have everything to gain by discussing your case with us.