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With the perfect climate, beautiful scenery, and high gas prices, it is not surprising that cycling is one of the most popular ways for residents to get around Fort Lauderdale. It is an environmentally friendly, economical mode of transportation, and outdoor exercise has physical and mental health benefits that many have come to appreciate even more when indoor and group activities are less available
Cyclists must share the road with other motor vehicles such as cars and trucks at times, which can lead to bicycle accidents. When they happen, those involved need to speak to a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyer right away. An experienced injury lawyer in Ft. Lauderdale can mount a claim to help maximize the compensation you may be entitled to.
A knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Kogan & DiSalvo can advise and help you make more informed decisions at critical times, from choosing a specialist medical provider and help with diagnosis, documentation, and treatment, to bringing an experience-informed opinion to the table on whether a settlement figure is commensurate with your damages and right for you.
Car and bike accidents are unfortunately fairly common, with carinsurance.org placing Fort Lauderdale on the 20 deadliest cities to bike in due to the high number of accidents involving fatalities. This reflects the higher danger faced in Florida on the roads in general, with states like California that have far more bicyclists still having fewer yearly deaths. In fact, the AAA has an article on their website titled Florida has the Most Bicycle Deaths in the U.S. Here, it highlights that, despite only having around 6% of the US population, a disproportionate 16% of bicyclist fatalities occurred in our state.
If you or a loved one were injured on a bicycle in Fort Lauderdale, you are certainly not alone. Partially because of this unfortunate prevalence of accidents in Florida, the attorneys at Kogan & DiSalvo have obtained years of experience litigating exactly these types of cases.
There are several common causes of bicycle accidents in Florida. The four most common are:
There are many driver errors that may cause bicycle accidents. Because bicycles are much smaller in size than automobiles, drivers do not always see cyclists and may crash into them. This is especially true when cyclists are traveling straight and cars make a right-hand turn onto another roadway.
Dooring, the act of opening a car door into the path of a cyclist, is also very common in Ft. Lauderdale, and it is against the law. Dooring can cause severe injuries in cyclists, including causing the cyclist to be thrown into traffic, potentially causing them to be hit by another car. When this happens, one or more drivers can be found at fault.
Hazardous roadways such as large potholes that have not been fixed, broken sidewalks, or other hazards can cause a bicycle accident. In cases such as these, the City of Fort Lauderdale or the property owner may be held responsible for any injuries caused. This can include factors such as whether there were previous accidents or other events involving the property that should have provided notice of the hazardous condition.
Bikes can also be struck by buses, other cyclists, and trucks. Cyclist injuries can also result from poor road conditions, lack of or poorly designed bike lanes, or uncleared debris from an accident left in the street.
There are also instances in which a bicycle can be defective and cause an accident. This can include brake failure, defective carbon frames, or failure to meet safety standards, to name just a few. In these cases, the bicycle manufacturer may be found at fault for the accident and may be sued under a few different causes of action depending on the circumstances. When a bicycle accident occurs due to one of these causes, and the cyclist has suffered injuries as a result of it, it is imperative that injured parties call a bicycle accident lawyer in Ft. Lauderdale.
Although every accident has its own unique facts, there are several common types of bicycle accidents:
Though some of these accidents have factors that are inherently more severe, they can all happen at high speeds and involve injuries from the fall.
Even when helmets are worn, additional safety equipment is utilized, and all traffic laws are obeyed by cyclists, accidents still happen. Injuries suffered after a bicycle accident can be catastrophic, with the severity of the accident depending on many factors. Without a large metal frame surrounding them, and nothing between them and the road or curb if they happen to fall, cyclists have little protection. With reasonable experience, they can be traveling as fast as 20 mph at the time of the accident. The most common injuries suffered due to bicycle accidents are:
TBIs can be a particularly bad type of injury, and that is why the first piece of safety equipment recommended for biking is a helmet. TBIs include concussions, contusions, hemorrhages, hematomas, and other injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, TBI symptoms include:
These injuries can significantly affect a victim as they can change what they are cognitively and physically capable of, as well as their mental state. This can affect their lifetime earning potential and lifestyle, inflicting changes that are often permanent and difficult for victims and their families to cope with. As with other severe injuries from cycling accidents, this can lead to the death of the injured party.
No matter the injury suffered, an individual should contact a bicycle accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale to help them substantiate a claim.
When it comes to insurance, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that, should a motor vehicle get into an accident, injured parties must go through their own insurance company for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits to cover up to the first $10,000 in medical care costs. Cyclists will use their own PIP if they have an automobile policy. A local personal injury lawyer can help an individual recover such compensation.
In order to claim compensation, the cyclist must be able to show that:
These can be complicated questions of fact and law depending on the circumstances of the accident, such as the apportionment of fault between the parties and damages suffered. The payments resulting from these injuries also include several factors. A few examples are the details of insurance policy limits, requirements of each party’s insurance policy, and how the damage to a victim’s lifestyle and earning potential can be calculated.
Under Florida law, a wrongful death lawsuit requires that a person or entity cause someone’s death by a wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty. A wrongful death lawsuit will allow survivors to recover for:
These damages, however, must typically be named in the complaint. This document is filed at the beginning of a lawsuit.
Additionally, Florida is a modified comparative negligence state. Under Florida negligence law, this means that if an injured party is partially at fault for the accident that they are basing the lawsuit on, their recovery for damages will be reduced in proportion to their fault up to 50%. If the injured party is found to be 51% or more at fault for their injuries, they will be barred from recovery entirely.
Which party bears fault and what the damages are can be complicated questions. Bringing in an experienced attorney early on is strongly advised, and our bike accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale at Kogan & DiSalvo can help.
For a typical bicycle accident, as in other negligence causes of action like many car accidents, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. In the tragic event of a fatality from the accident, the statute of limitations is also two years from the death of the victim for a wrongful death lawsuit. However, these statutes are subject to factors that can reduce the time period.
A wrongful death or negligence lawsuit will require proving fault by a “preponderance of the evidence,” essentially meaning “more likely than not” an action or inaction by another party caused the injury, damages, or death. As suggested, this will include a court considering the evidence gathered and submitted for the case. Because proving fault in these lawsuits can get complex, it is advisable to begin documenting evidence early before memories fade, witnesses move, or evidence becomes unavailable.
To make a claim with an insurance company or prove fault in a negligence or wrongful death lawsuit, evidence will be needed. This will be used to demonstrate fault and damages to the insurance adjuster, judge, and/or jury.
Because opportunities to document evidence – such as conversing with witnesses, taking photos of conditions of the road, and even writing your own account while your memory is fresh – may only be available for a limited amount of time, it is highly recommended that you begin documenting evidence as soon as immediate concerns such as getting to safety, reporting the accident to the police, and administering first aid have been completed. Many of the following evidence-gathering steps can be done with your phone immediately following the bike accident, such as:
It is often worth returning to the scene to follow up with an additional investigation, which can include documenting the size of the bike lane, the angle of the road, and other issues that could have been a factor in the accident. This can also include research into whether an individual, business, or government body should have been aware of and taken action to address a dangerous condition that caused an accident.
A wrongful death case similarly requires investigating facts and documenting evidence to prove fault. This will often involve a more detailed police investigation and report as law enforcement becomes more involved with an accident that involves a fatality that could lead to serious criminal charges.
In addition to documenting evidence of damages, some other steps recommended by experienced experts are not posting on social media about the accident and speaking with an attorney before having a conversation with an insurance representative. Posting on social media can offer evidence to an opposing side’s attorney or insurance agent.
When you speak with an insurance company, they may be quick to offer a settlement worth far less than an injured party could recover to discharge liability for damages that may not yet be fully known. An experienced attorney can provide an estimate of what can be recovered and follow up should injuries be revealed that were not immediately apparent.
While safety equipment cannot prevent or lessen every accident, it can reduce the likelihood and the severity of injuries. A few things for cyclists to consider to make their leisure activity or commute safer are:
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident and you would like to discuss your legal options to receive compensation for any injuries, pain, or damage to property sustained as a result, you can speak to a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyer that can help right away. Our firm practices only personal injury law, allowing our attorneys to deepen their expertise on the complex legal issues surrounding cases like bicycle accidents.
A knowledgeable, experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale can spot potential issues in a case and make sure that all of your potential claims are included early in a lawsuit as required by Florida law. Perhaps most importantly, even a brief consultation can offer context to help inform your decisions on how to proceed, and let you know when you can expect a settlement to be reached, considering the damages suffered, details of your case, and evidence. Call us today for a FREE, no-obligation case review!
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From the moment I googled injury lawyers, the first name that appeared was Kogan & DiSalvo. I’ve seeing them painted in the back of the cross many times instantly felt a sense of relief that all that right away. Boy am I glad I trusted my instincts. From the initial phone call that I made at the time of my injury I was guided over the phone what to do. It was almost like having a family and solo me through a rather traumatic situation. My attorney Ted DiSalvo has been amazing, however I did most of my correspondence with Amanda Hudson (she was like a big sister) guiding me and reassuring me an answering every question that I had throughout this long process.
Kogan and DiSalvo they treated me like family from day one. If you are ever in a position that you need a great injury firm that pays closer attention to you then your own family; Kogan & DiSalvo is who you need to call. They will make sure that you do not get shorchanged . They will get you the money that you deserve.
Lastly I know I sound like a broken record but Amanda Hudson was amazing “you rock Amanda” You made this a truly great experience..
My neighbor used Kogan & DiSalvo twice and had such a positive experience that after I was involved in a car accident she told me that I really should call them, so I did. After I filled out the form online someone called me within 3 minutes. She was very kind, compassionate and very sympathetic to my situation. From the beginning she let me know that she needed to speak with the attorney and find out some more info before she could say if they could even help me. The honesty from her was very appreciated. Although I’m not finished with my case I am very very happy with how things are going and even more so with the treatment I recieve from everyone I have dealt with. I am treated like a person, not a number, which is unfortunately very rare. They honestly do care and do truly want to help. I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs a personal injury attorney.
Kogan & disalvo are literally the best lawyers to ever work with ! They cared tremendously and always kept me in the loop with me and my daughter’s case. They fought hard to get us a great compensation in just under 9 months . I would recommend them to anyone thanks again yall rock!
Great firm great attorneys very punctual very kind and very helpful. Always willing to help 24/7 willing to answer any doubts or questions.
I am truly appreciative for what this firm has done for me. All I can say is from the bottom of my heart, thank you all and God bless. 🙏
Really nice and friendly people to work with
Samantha was extremely helpful and attentive to my case! Thank you so much for all your hard work and effort!
Samantha was amazing to work with, detailed me throughout every step of the process and was extremely helpful and extremely friendly throughout my entire case, I recommend her and this firm
Thank you (Paul!!)and the rest of the team By far the best experience ive had with a law firm they genuinely care about their client (Like family)and their well-being and they’re all about doing what’s best for the client they gave me their word and stood behind it with their actions in helping me settle my case.I would HIGHLY recommend Kogan&DiSalvo personal injury lawfirm To anyone lookin for top notch quality service, thank you guys so much i really appreciate the hard work you guys put in for me!
Very great and didn’t forget about us thank you so much
Client: Charles Seitter ; Stephanie , Samantha and Paul. Your goto personal injury attorneys and company.
Everyone was very professional and nice
Unfortunately I was involved in an accident, for which I didn’t see the need for an attorney. But I am happy I took the advice to get the help of the team at Kogan & Disalvo. They made sure my medical bills are paid.
Thank you
My wife and I were hit in the rear by an 18 wheeler, that was loaded with bricks. Fortunately we were able to walk away, but I sustained damage to my back and neck. I can’t thank this law firm enough for the advice they gave me. It took quite a while to finally settle the case. Tiffany did a great job preparing me for my disposition, and I was very pleased the way she handled the eventual arbitration.
Thank you Tiffany, and the entire staff for their professionalism. I have no hesitation in recommending them to others in need of legal advice.
I highly recommend hiring Kogan & DiSalvo! They worked very efficiently and diligently to settle my case. There were a few setbacks and delays but Amanda Hudson conquered them without hesitation! If I ever need an injury lawyer I will only trust Kogan & DiSalvo!
Brian Andino was an outstanding lawyer who, along with his hard-working team, handled my personal injury case with professionalism and care. I was injured in a parking lot that was not maintained properly, and Brian, supported by his diligent staff, helped me navigate a complicated legal process with ease. His team was always responsive, organized, and ensured that I stayed informed at every stage of the case.
Brian’s expertise was evident in the way he built a strong case, and his team’s attention to detail made a significant difference. Together, they fought hard to secure a fair settlement for my injuries, holding the negligent parties accountable. I always felt like Brian and his team genuinely cared about my recovery and well-being.
I highly recommend Brian Andino and his dedicated team to anyone in need of skilled, compassionate, and thorough legal representation.
We would like to thank the team at Kogan and DiSalvo and wish them all a wonderful Thanksgiving. When my wife and I were involved in a small crash in 2021, we met with Ted DiSalvo at the Boca Raton office. Ted was so helpful and made us feel like he really cared about us and took our case even though it was minor. In 2022, we were rear-ended by a commercial plumbing truck that caused major injuries to my wife and I. We naturally called Kogan and DiSalvo back. We knew that they would take care of us again. Tiffany Fanelli was assigned to our case, and, Wow! For over 2 years, we worked with the team at Kogan and DiSalvo. There were times that we had doubts about what our future looked like, but Tiffany always encouraged and reassured us that she was working hard to resolve this case. Recently, Tiffany put together the most impressive presentation we have ever seen in our professional careers and Tiffany won our case in a big way. We are so thankful for what Tiffany was able to accomplish. And equally grateful to the entire team at Kogan and DiSalvo. We highly recommend them if you have to deal with a similar situation. To everyone at Kogan and DiSalvo, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season.
Our attorneys were very professional and efficient.
They communicated frequently and were very patient answering our questions and or concerns. In addition, they negotiated settlements with medical providers which reduced our expenses resulting in larger settlement proceeds.
In closing they did a fantastic job, and I would strongly recommend them.
Jessica and jay the best attorneys that can handle your case
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