St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Our fantastic year-round weather here in St. Petersburg makes for perfect bike riding weather. Unfortunately, riding a bike is becoming increasingly dangerous due to distracted and aggressive drivers. Whether you were hit by a car while commuting to work, riding for fun or fitness, or just cruising around the block, you deserve to be fully compensated by the at-fault driver who caused the crash. Here at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely, our St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyers assist injured bicyclists by proving fault, establishing the severity of the victim’s damages, and holding the negligent party’s insurance company accountable for maximum damages.
Why Cyclist Fatalities and Injuries are Rising in Staggering Numbers
Between 800 and 900 cyclists are killed every year, according to the NHTSA, while tens of thousands are seriously injured. Pedestrian and bicyclist injuries increased by 50.7 percent from 2008 to 2019 (according to Ped Bike Info), far outpacing the modest increase in fatalities of motor vehicle occupants. Much of the blame is distracted driving, which is at an all time high. Drivers are using cell phones, GPS devices, and infotainment screens like never before. Speeding is on the rise, as are many speed limits in general across the state and country. Combined with distracted driving and speeding, road rage is also on the rise, making the roads extremely dangerous for cyclists. Another underlying issue is the complete lack of planning and consideration of cyclists when it comes to road design and infrastructure. St. Petersburg and Florida roads are often designed only for drivers, prioritizing speed at the cost of safety and ease of use of cyclists and pedestrians.
How Many Bike Vs. Car Crashes Happen
- Driver passes too close;
- Driver hits cyclist from behind;
- Driver cuts off cyclist from a side road;
- Driver cuts off cyclists while making a right turn (this is called a “right hook”);
- Driver or passenger of a parked car opens the door into a cyclist’s lane of traffic (this is called “dooring”); and
- Driver honks to scare the cyclist, resulting in the cyclist losing control of their bike.
When the Driver is at Fault
Whether the driver was cited with a ticket at the scene or not, chances are that they are at fault for causing your crash. The following types of driver misbehavior ends up causing most bike crashes:
- Speeding;
- Aggressive driving, including honking buzzing, or intentionally trying to cause the cyclist to crash;
- Distracted driving;
- Drunk driving; and
- Impatient driving, such as passing too close or failure to yield and pulling out in front of the cyclist.
Call Our Experienced St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Sadly, many drivers take out their aggression on cyclists by intentionally coming too close, honking, throwing objects, or intimidating the cyclist. Other drivers are off in their own world, staring at their phones or speeding along without a care in the world for others. No matter how the crash happened, you deserve to be fully compensated for your damages. Call the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely today at (727) 550-8800 to schedule a free case evaluation.
