Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycles offer many advantages over other modes of transportation. They allow riders to work out nearly every part of their bodies while enjoying fresh air and beautiful scenery. Unlike motor vehicles, they don’t pollute the environment or require the consumption of gasoline. Especially in a community as vibrant as Daytona Beach, the appeal of riding a bicycle is easy to understand.
Unfortunately, the primary drawback of bicycles is a potentially deadly one. When bicycles are involved in collisions with other vehicles, they offer no real protection to riders. While bicyclists can take measures to reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an accident, such as wearing helmets, pads, and reflective clothing at night, it is nearly impossible to avoid injury in the case of a serious collision. Sadly, many serious bicycle accidents could be avoided if motorists would simply be more vigilant and willing to share the road.
If you or a member of your family has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, or if someone you love has been killed in such an accident, our Daytona Beach bicycle accident attorneys can help. You have rights, and we can help to ensure that they are protected.
Your Rights as a Bicyclist
As a bicyclist, you are obligated to observe the laws of the road just as any other vehicle operator. You have to obey street signs and traffic signals, and you have to be courteous to and conscious of other drivers. Likewise, drivers of cars, trucks, motorcyclists, and other motor vehicles owe you a duty of care. They must not cross a solid line to enter a designated bike lane, and they have to watch out for bicycle traffic when making right turns. When motor vehicle operators fail to uphold their duty of care and a bicyclist is injured or killed as a result, our Daytona Beach personal injury attorneys can file a lawsuit seeking damages.
Damages in Bike Accident Cases
Damages that are awarded to injured bicyclists vary from case to case, but often include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Other losses and expenses related to the accident
If a bicyclist is killed in an accident, his or her family may be further entitled to compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Future lost wages and benefits
- Loss of support
- Loss of consortium
- Other losses and expenses that can be reasonably projected into the future.
In cases in which the operator of the motor vehicle behaved with extreme negligence, the victim or the victim’s family may also be awarded punitive damages. These damages are awarded to punish the defendant for the instance of extreme negligence, above and beyond the actual losses and expenses suffered by the victim.
Whatever the circumstances surrounding your case, you can rest assured that our experienced Daytona Beach auto accident attorneys will aggressively pursue the full measure of compensation to which you are entitled by constructing the strongest, most compelling case possible on your behalf.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
For further information about bicycle accident litigation, or to schedule a case evaluation with our Daytona Beach attorneys, please contact the law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau today.