Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Zephyrhills

Zephyrhills in Pasco County is a suburb of the bustling metropolitan area of Tampa. The weather is perfect for bicyclists to get out and enjoy the sunshine. However, there are also many risks—including being hit by a driver of a car, bus, or truck. While there are steps that bicyclists can take to help prevent collisions, these accidents can still happen and often result in serious injuries.

At Kogan & DiSalvo, we have extensive experience handling bicycle accident claims for people in Zephyrhills and throughout the state of Florida. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses and damages. Schedule a free consultation today.

An Overview of Bicycle Accidents in Florida

As of February 2024, Florida dominates the list of the most hazardous places to ride a bicycle in the U.S. The worst is Pasco County, which ranks as the most dangerous in Florida. There were 40 cycling deaths in Pasco County during the study period of 2017 to 2021, equaling 7.12 deaths for every 100,000 residents. By contrast, the next highest among Florida counties was Sarasota County, with 24 deaths.

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “the number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has been steadily trending upwards since 2010. From 2010 to 2021, bicyclist fatalities ranged from 623 to a high of 966 with a yearly average of 800.” The reasons it cites include the lack of dedicated bike lanes, trails, or paths, so bicyclists may be required to operate foot or low-powered electric bicycles on the roadway with vehicles.

Why Is Pasco County So Dangerous for Cyclists?

In Pasco County, outdated infrastructure funnels motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians into the same roads and intersections, creating hazardous congestion. The number of people who commute by bike to nearby Tampa, Lakeland, and Clearwater may also contribute to the dangerous conditions.

Government officials are taking measures to improve bicycle safety in Pasco County, such as building wider, multi-use roads with dedicated bicycle lanes. We applaud these efforts while continuing to serve as a trusted legal champion for injured bicyclists and those who have lost loved ones.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Negligent actions by motorists that cause bicycle accidents in Pasco County include the following:

• Distracted driving—A few seconds spent looking at a text message or taking a call impairs their ability to react to bicycles sharing the road with them.
• Lane violations—Negligent motorists can force cyclists into roadside hazards or push them off the shoulder of the road.
• Driving in bicycle lanes—Dedicated bicycle lanes, when available, are intended for bikes only. When drivers drive in or through these lanes, they violate the law and risk lives.
• Opening car doors—Careless drivers can injure bicyclists even when their vehicles are parked. Opening the door in the path of an oncoming bicyclist, or “dooring,” creates a serious hazard.

A Zephyrhills personal injury lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo can analyze the circumstances involved in your accident to determine who is liable for your damages and identify a course of legal action designed to help you achieve the maximum financial recovery.

Compensable Damages in a Bike Accident Case

Bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that leave the cyclist with ongoing challenges. Even those outfitted with protective gear are unprotected from an impact with a passenger vehicle. Severe injuries to the brain, spinal cord, arms, legs, and internal organs are common.

Damages after a bicycle crash may include the following:

• Medical bills—including all care and treatment arising from your accident.
• Lost wages—including wages you have already missed out on and lost earning potential you may face in the future.
• Property damage—if your bike was totaled in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for its replacement.
• Pain and suffering—This includes emotional trauma, scarring and disfigurement, and diminished quality of life.

Note that injured plaintiffs bear the burden of proving that a defendant’s negligence was the cause of their accident. This may mean demonstrating that the defendant violated a traffic law. If a cyclist proves that a defendant’s failure to follow the law contributed to their crash, this may be strong evidence in a claim for damages.

How a Lawyer Can Help You

A  Zephyrhills bicycle accident attorney can help you with your claim in many ways. Three of the most important things we can do for you include:

• Skilled representation: The process of bringing a bicycle accident lawsuit is complex. Your attorney can advocate for your rights, file necessary court documents, and handle all communications with insurance companies.
• Investigate the accident: To meet the burden of proof required to prove negligence, your lawyer can thoroughly investigate your bicycle accident, gathering evidence such as police and medical reports. We can also speak with witnesses, obtain traffic camera footage, or work with accident reconstructionists to help build a claim.
• Negotiate on your behalf: Armed with facts and evidence, your attorney can negotiate from a position of strength. Insurance companies are more likely to offer a fair settlement when they know their opponent is prepared and will not back down.

You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim in Florida before the statute of limitations expires. You can assume that your legal opponent is already building their case against you. The sooner you enlist the services of our team, the sooner we can level the playing field.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Kogan & DiSalvo

Unfortunately, many bicycle accidents that result in serious injuries leave victims and their loved ones with life-long complications and financial hardships. They must contend with the pain of recovery and mounting medical bills. Trust our Zephyrhills bicycle accident lawyers to fight for your right to recover compensation for all your damages and losses. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your bicycle accident in Pasco County.

Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay any attorney’s fees unless we win compensation for your injuries.