Gainesville Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Serving Gainesville, Lake City, Live Oak & all of North Florida
If a driver injured you while you were riding your bicycle, the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC in Gainesville, Florida, wants to help.
If you have been injured, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault motorist’s bodily injury liability coverage. The first thing to do is see a doctor. If you have car insurance of your own, you can (and should) use your own PIP coverage to pay for your medical expenses. There are several other things to consider if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident while riding your bike.
What to Do
If you are hit by a car, truck, motorcycle or any other type of vehicle, it’s important to do certain things to ensure that you protect your rights under Florida law and receive the best treatment for your injuries.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, do the following:
- Try to remain calm and assess what your injuries are.
- Call 911 to report the accident.
- Record the accident scene with your phone camera or video recorder, if you have one.
- Give the police the most detailed description of the accident you can.
- Get names and contact info for anyone that saw the accident.
- Cooperate with the ambulance crew and go to the hospital if you need to.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss insurance coverage and your potential for success in a case against the at-fault party.
Following these steps will help you receive compensation for your injuries and put you in a stronger position against the insurance company in your bicycle accident case.
Bicycle Riders are at Risk
The Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC has success and experience in helping people who have sustained injuries in bicycle accidents. Severe injuries are very common in bicycle accidents, as bicyclists are in a similar position to motorcycle riders.
Just like motorcyclists, bicycle riders are extremely vulnerable because they usually have no protection other than a helmet. It is also very common for motorists to not even see a bicyclist. Not seeing the bicyclist is a common cause of bike accidents because distracted, tired, careless, inattentive drivers often do not see the bicycle rider until it is too late. Injuries suffered by bicycle riders are often very similar to those suffered by motorcycle riders.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents can lead to virtually any type of orthopedic or neurological injury. The risk of death is also far greater in a bicycle accident due to the bicycle rider’s lack of protection. As a result, bicyclists should engage in defensive driving whenever they are in traffic.
The most serious injuries suffered by bicyclists are usually concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Usually mild concussions will heal on their own. However, it is important to listen to your doctor if you have sustained even a mild concussion. If you become physically active before your doctor says you are ready, you may wind up losing the progress you have made. Concussion symptoms include dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, confusion and memory loss.
TBIs typically involve swelling of the brain and hemorrhaging with blood leaking into the brain. TBIs are extremely serious injuries that can lead to death or permanent disability. Recovery from a TBI usually takes a long time. TBI symptoms are similar to the symptoms of concussions, but are much more serious and long lasting.
Of course, bicycle injuries also include back and spinal injuries, fractures to bones, severe cuts, bruises and facial injuries. Back and neck injuries can result in paralysis. Given the unprotected nature of bicycle riding, serious internal injuries are also common in bike accidents. Psychological trauma or PTSD can also result from the experience of the accident and the pain of dealing with physical injuries. Psychological trauma could include changes in mood and personality, increased anxiety, depression, decreased concentration and difficulty sleeping. Many bicycle accidents require lifetime care for physical and mental injuries which never completely heal.
Insurance Considerations
Under Florida law, if you are injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you must see a doctor within 14 days of the accident or you risk losing valuable insurance coverage. “Involving a motor vehicle” means any accident in which a car or truck was involved, even if you were not in a car or truck yourself. Under Florida law, if you were in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you must see a doctor within 14 days of your accident, or you will lose your PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage, which pays for medical expenses regardless of who was at fault.
Even if you think your injuries will heal on their own, the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC recommends that you see a doctor immediately after your bicycle accident to document your symptoms and to record that they were the result of a motor vehicle accident. If you don’t, you could lose the opportunity to have your medical expenses paid for by PIP, which in turn, could hurt your ability to pursue your case against the party responsible for the accident.
Help from a Gainesville Accident Attorney
Gainesville, Florida bicycle accident lawyer, Christopher J. Annis, has the knowledge, experience, and record of success to represent you in your bicycle accident case. Mr. Annis will meet with you personally to discuss your claim and come up with the best plan to combat the at-fault party and their insurance company.
We will work with you to devise an effective strategy and perform whatever research or investigation is needed to obtain a successful result in your case. Of course, we will also contact the at-fault party’s lawyer and insurance company to try to negotiate a fair settlement before going to trial. In many cases, we can save you time and stress by settling your case versus going to trial.
However, if we cannot settle your case out of court, the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in Florida, you may be awarded compensation for medical expenses, lost income, loss of future income, pain, suffering, mental anguish and future medical expenses.
Contact the Gainesville Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and have questions about medical expenses, lost wages or your potential for success in a lawsuit, contact the Law Office of Christopher J. Annis, LLC in Gainesville, Florida, right away. Contact us online or at 352-264-1910.
We can set up a free consultation where Mr. Annis will talk to you about your accident, assess the strengths of your case, and determine a plan of action to pursue your personal injury claim. We will keep in contact with you throughout your case, as we work to achieve compensation for your injuries, expenses and damages.
