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With cycling lanes, bike trails, and bike racks throughout our beachside communities and bustling downtown, Tampa city officials have made a concerted effort to encourage this mode of transportation; it leads the nation for bike-friendly businesses. However, it is also trending for more concerning statistics. Tampa Bay is the fourth deadliest region in the country for pedestrians and cyclists. Last year alone, there were nearly 500 bicycle crashes across Hillsborough County.
If you sustained serious injuries in a biking accident caused by a negligent driver, Kogan & DiSalvo can help. We know that it can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys explore every legal remedy available to recover compensation for your losses. Schedule a free consultation today.
While several cities across the Tampa Bay area have taken steps to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, the American Automobile Association (AAA) still named the region as one of the most dangerous.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents in Tampa and across the region include the following:
As a tourist destination, Tampa roads are flooded with motorists who are unfamiliar with the area. If they are distracted by their GPS navigation screens or looking for traffic signs and exits, they are often oblivious to bicyclists sharing the road beside them. If they turn without looking or signaling, bicyclists may not have time to react and avoid a collision.
Aside from a helmet and pads, nothing else can protect bicyclists from the impact of motor vehicles, structures, or road surfaces.
Bicycle accident injuries range in severity from superficial cuts and bruises to more severe conditions like road rash, strains, sprains, and broken bones. Facial injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, amputations, and damage to internal organs are examples of non-fatal catastrophic injuries resulting from bicycle crashes.
Physical rehabilitation after a bike crash can be a demanding, time-intensive process. Accident victims may require hospitalization, surgery, and physical therapy to restore mobility and function.
After an accident, the first step is to assessthe scene to determine if anyone is hurt. When there are injuries or property damage, everyone involved must remain at the scene and wait for police to arrive.
Exchange information with the driver. If there are witnesses, ask them to provide their name, phone number, or email. Do not admit fault. Instead, allow the police, attorneys, and insurance companies to investigate and gather the facts.
If you can, take photos, including damage to your bicycle. Write down any details exactly as you recall them. For example, describe what happened, the road conditions, weather, and other bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists who were present.
It can be helpful to draw a map to illustrate the position and direction of everyone involved. Share these details with the police when they take your report. Be sure to note the number of the report so you can obtain a copy.
Even if you don’t have pain or signs of an injury, it is still essential to seekmedical attention. Bicycle accidents often result in delayed onset injuries, which usually don’t have immediate and obvious symptoms but can develop or worsen over time.
A consultation with a Tampa bicycle accident lawyer should be your next step. Representation from an experienced and skilled attorney is essential to protect your interests and pursue the maximum compensation possible based on your injuries and other losses.
These accidents happen quickly, so it is difficult to determine who or what caused them. Our team of Tampa injury lawyers has the resources to obtain critical evidence, such as CCTV video footage, and thoroughly investigate your case to determine if you have grounds to bring a personal injury claim.
We caution clients who have been hurt in bicycle accidents against negotiating with insurance companies without the guidance of an attorney. While they may offer you a quick settlement, it may not be fair or reasonable.
Our legal team can thoroughly assess your losses, including how the accident has impacted your physical and emotional health and well-being. We do this to calculate your damages, which could include past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage.
In March 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 837 into law. The Civil Remedies Act directly impacts plaintiffs and their personal injury claims in key ways.
First, Florida is now a modified comparative negligence jurisdiction, barring claims in which the plaintiff is determined (by a judge or jury) to be more than 50 percent at fault. However, if the plaintiff is found 50 percent or less at fault, their recovery is reduced proportionally to their fault. For example, if you were deemed 10 percent at fault for your bicycle accident and received $100,000 in damages, your compensation would be reduced to $90,000.
It’s important to remember that everyone traveling on Florida roadways has a duty to act with care and follow traffic laws to help prevent accidents and keep themselves and others safe. Bicyclists should wear helmets, bright clothing, reflectors, and lights at night. They should also know and obey traffic signs and laws, observing the right of way and using hand signals to alert drivers to their impending movements.
The Civil Remedies Act also lowered the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from four to two years. It’s worth noting because of the time and resources required to prove fault in Florida, where outcomes depend on the evidence and assignment of liability for each party. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident, contact a Tampa personal injury attorney to initiate the claim process as soon as possible.
Florida is a no-fault state. Drivers must carry personal injury protection (PIP). So, if you are a cyclist hurt in a motor vehicle collision, you can use your PIP insurance to cover your damages and losses. If you don’t carry PIP, you can apply for coverage under someone in your home or the driver who hit you.
However, PIP only covers up to 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages. For individuals with severe or catastrophic injuries, the costs of medical care can present a significant financial burden. You can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver in that case.
A successful bike accident claim can potentially result in the following types of compensation:
Personal injury claims are resolved in two ways: negotiating a satisfactory settlement or litigating your case in court if you cannot resolve it. Our team is ready to take your case as far as necessary to reach a fair outcome.
Bicycle accident claims are challenging. It takes a skilled and dedicated lawyer to build a compelling case. At Kogan & DiSalvo, we leverage our extensive resources to fight for your right to fair and reasonable compensation because bicycle accident injuries can be life-changing.
Having a compassionate Tampa personal injury lawyer on your side can make a big difference in reaching a favorable outcome. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation case review today. We work on a contingency basis, so there are no upfront legal fees.
Total reviews: 1204 |
Average rating: 4.9
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Michele Shapiro
George Bakalar is an exceptional hardworking attorney. He always kept me informed. Macy is wonderful, and all the other people working there are very kind and treat a client with respect.
Carol Chapman
Three years ago I had an injury while away on vacation and contacted Kogan and DiSalvo the next day. Their entire team were absolutely great from my initial call and intake, to trial date and settlement.
My attorney, George, helped me through every step of the process. He always kept me informed on the progress of the case and always responded to any questions I had.
I highly recommend Kogan & DiSalvo, a law firm that truly cares about their clients.
Brenda Sacco
The personal care that this office gave me was impeccable and I couldn’t be more appreciative
David Delcid
(Translated by Google) Excellent work they did in the representation of the house, blessings to God 👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇹
(Original)
Excelente Trabajo q icieron en la reprecentacion del casa bendiciones a Dios 👍👍🇺🇸🇬🇹
mirian godinez
Kohan Desalvo is an exemplary professional whose commitment to guiding clients is truly commendable.
Goldyn CEO
The firm was great with my case.
Karen Clarke
I had the pleasure of working with Todd Baker and, more closely, Paul Sylvestri on my case. From the very beginning, Paul was not only thorough and knowledgeable, but also made me feel truly supported. He handled every step with urgency and care, ensuring that the process moved forward efficiently, far faster than I expected, given how long cases like mine can often drag on.
What stood out most was how genuinely I felt treated as a person, not just another case file. I quickly learned that most personal injury law firms make clients feel like they’re just part of a revolving door. That was never the case here. Paul and his team prioritized my well-being and worked hard to ensure I was fairly and fully compensated for my suffering.
Their professionalism, compassion, and commitment made an overwhelming situation much more manageable. I’m incredibly grateful for the outcome and the way I was treated throughout the process. I couldn’t have asked for a better team.
Brent Arnold
Jennifer was amazing throughout the whole process.
carol rodriguez
I was fortunate to be represented by this amazing law firm after a car accident, and I have nothing but gratitude for their work. From the very first contact, they demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and a genuine commitment to resolving my case in the best possible way.
I want to especially highlight Stephany Herrera, who was my first point of contact. From the beginning, she was open, attentive, and truly listened to me. Thanks to her, I was connected with attorney Paul Silvestri, who, along with the entire team, handled my case with excellence, keeping me informed every step of the way.
Thanks to their dedication and hard work, my case was successfully resolved. I highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thank you again to the entire team for your support and commitment.
Rachel Wilson
The number one characteristic I liked about this firm was the communication. Every member of team was pleasant to talk to. Having access virtually was awesome with all video explanations about the process. The team worked well together to settle my case. I wish I knew every team members name. Thank You team for your hard work and effort. I can say my medical bills are paid and my case settled. Thanks Again for being a reputable organization.
James Pinto
Absolutely astonishing to work with. Not only has every question I’ve asked been answered, everyone has made everything in the process very pleasing!
Scott Solomon
My wife and I were in a major accident. After the accident one of our big worries was our medical bills. Sam at Kogan and DiSalvo coordinated with our Drs to assure coverage and put our minds at rest. I had to have surgery which thankfully went well. I was very happy to not have any unanswered concerns during that time. The person who hit us blamed us for the accident but our dash camera showed them at fault. Tiffany our Rockstar of a lawyer proved them at fault and leveraged the insurance for the maximum settlement. She then went after our under/uninsured coverage and fought for a settlement that we could never have dreamed of. Never a doubt Tiffany and the team of Kogan and DiSalvo are the lawyers that you want on your side. Thank you again.
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Juan
I appreciate the great service. the 100% professional Di Salvo lawyers provided me, Monica. Thank you for being of great help to me. Thank you for the Service provided to me. 300%%% Recommendation..Una ves mas Gracias Monica y demas.Staf Att Juan
Dawn M.
Trust the Process – Outstanding Team, Remarkable Results
Working with Kogan & DiSalvo was one of the best decisions I could’ve made—and a huge part of that was thanks to Tiffany Fanelli. From start to finish, she and the team were knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping me through every step of the legal process.
You really have to trust the process. It can be slow, and at times, it might feel like nothing is happening—but behind the scenes, your team is working hard. If you have questions, ask. If you’re not sure what to do, ask. That open communication made all the difference for me, and it helped me stay informed and confident the entire way through.
I can’t thank Tiffany and the firm enough for their hard work and support. Their patience, professionalism, and attention to detail led to an outcome that exceeded my expectations.
One more thing—if you don’t have UM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage, get it. Too many drivers out there are uninsured, and protecting yourself with UM coverage is essential. I’ve learned how crucial it is, and I hope others will too.
Highly recommend Kogan & DiSalvo, and especially Tiffany Fanelli, for anyone needing a reliable and compassionate legal team. Thank you all for All your hard work.
Titus Travis
Rachel and Leslie are great awesome lawyers they went every step of the way
with me from the first step to the last and to the bank thank you Leslie and Richard for all your hard work!!
david Riggsby
They are great I’m so glad that I called them. Also I can’t believe that they settled my case so quickly. I would highly recommend them and I will use them in the future.
Debra Cuevas
My Attorney at Kogan and DiSalvo were exceptional in my accident case. They were very straightforward about the possible outcomes and always seemed to be one step ahead in planning and strategizing for the next step. The paralegal staff was also courteous and prompt in their responses and kept me up to date. I am grateful for their services.
Steve Hacker
This firm , the attorneys and paralegals epitomize professionalism, ethics and intelligence.
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