Miami Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bicycling is a popular form of transportation in Miami, where the weather is gorgeous most of the year. Bicycling offers the opportunity to travel outdoors, get much-needed exercise and save the environment. However, riding a bike can be risky, especially when there are bigger vehicles sharing the roads with bicycles.
The goal of many cities is to have bicycles and cars coexist harmoniously, but that does not always happen. Drivers know to be cautious around bikes and other smaller vehicles, but many do not want to share the road with a slower vehicle. Road rage often takes over and serious accidents occur.
Florida has the distinction of being the most dangerous state for bicyclists. The state has the highest bicyclist death rate in the country. The nationwide rate is 0.23 per 100,000 people, while Florida’s rate is more than double that, at 0.57 per 100,000. While bicyclist safety has been improving overall across the United States, Florida has only been able to reduce bicyclist deaths by under 10 percent in the past three decades. Still, bicyclists account for just 1 percent of trips but die at a rate that is twice that of motor vehicle occupants.
In 2015, 818 bicyclists were killed in crashes involving motor vehicles. This is a 12 percent increase from 2014. The good news is that injuries decreased from 50,000 to 45,000 over the same time period. Contact our experienced Miami bicycle accident attorneys for more information.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents
There are several main reasons why bicycle accidents occur. Inattention and distractions are common among both motorists and bicyclists. Bicyclists may be paying attention to their smartphone instead of the road and run through an intersection or hit a car or other object. Motorists may not be watching where they are going and hit a bicyclist. That’s why it’s important to focus on the road at all times when driving.
Speeding is another cause of bicycle accidents. While bicycles cannot travel as fast as cars, they still should not speed on the roads. Weather conditions can cause bikes to crash. Speeding applies to motor vehicles as well, and when drivers speed, they may hit bicycles.
Intersections are also tricky for bicyclists. Bikes are small and often cannot be seen easily. Plus, many bicyclists fail to stop at stop signs or traffic signals, causing them to get hit by vehicles that have the right of way.
Hire Experienced Miami Bicycle Accident Attorneys for Your Case
Bicycling can be a great way to get exercise while saving the environment, but it comes with dangers. Bicyclists often have no protection—except for a helmet—in the event of a crash. A crash can eject a bike rider, causing head trauma, back and neck injuries, broken bones and even death.
Have you been involved in a bike accident? If so, you need to preserve your legal rights. Seek legal help right away. The aggressive Miami bicycle accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP will work tirelessly to assess your case and determine your rights to compensation. Contact Pike & Lustig, LLP today at 305-985-5281 to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.
