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Bicycle riders in West Palm Beach have the same duties and rights as motorists under Florida law, but drivers sometimes are not looking for bicycles on the road, and a crash happens.
In that case, the rider needs to retain the services of a skilled West Palm Beach injury lawyer experienced handling bicycle accidents in order to be compensated for expenses and losses resulting from the event.
Bicyclists also should know the laws specific to bicycles so that the rider can avoid bearing some fault in the crash, which would reduce the amount awarded for damages. Florida has adopted the modified comparative negligence doctrine which limits the award by the percentage of fault. A West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer can help fight for their client’s rights to compensation.
Florida’s bicycle statutes cover a range of responsibilities, from requiring a proper seat to brakes that can stop a bicycle traveling at 10 mph in 25 feet in ideal conditions.
The following includes some of the laws cyclists need to know to prevent accidents and have a strong legal case should a West Palm Beach bike accident occurs.
Negligence, which could best be described as “fault,” assigns liability to a party in a lawsuit. A particular formula establishes negligence in court: duty, breach, injury, and causation:
Speak with a West Palm Beach personal injury attorney if you are injured in South Florida. We can help you understand your case’s value before you begin negotiating with the defendant’s insurance company to discharge their liability.
Although every accident has unique fact patterns, some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in the state of Florida include the following:
Some of the most common causes of these types of accidents include:
The type of injuries from bicycle accidents varies. For example, a cyclist attacked by a dog will have bite injuries in proportion to the size and power of the animal, whereas a cyclist who falls and skids on cement will have severe road rash. The most common injuries include:
In any negligence case, the two most common forms of damages (or monetary value of losses) can be collected—economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are measurable objective amounts that are easily quantified by bills. This can include:
Non-economic damages are subjective and therefore not as easily quantifiable, requiring specialists like expert witnesses to establish the value of the harm suffered. Non-economic damages can include:
In a wrongful death case, damages will cover medical bills as well as:
The State of Florida is a modified comparative negligence jurisdiction. This means that a plaintiff’s award of damages at trial will be reduced in proportion to the amount of responsibility they bear for the accident, up to 50%. If the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault for their accident they are barred from recovery entirely.
For example, a cyclist, distracted by their phone, rode through a red light and was struck by a driver–who was similarly distracted. Because the cyclist broke the rules by going through a red light, they are found to be 75% negligent. However, the driver had enough time to see the cyclist and apply the brakes–making them 25% negligent. In this case, the cyclist would be barred from any recovery.
In straightforward cases, a settlement may be finalized within a few months, whereas more complicated cases can take up to two years.
Some of the factors that are central to how long the case will take to conclude are:
The statute of limitations on negligence lawsuits–Florida Statutes Section 95.11(3)(a)–is two years from the date of the accident.
If a death results from the injuries of the accident, the personal representative of the estate may file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent’s survivors. Wrongful death suits also have a statute of limitations of two years. There are factors that can affect the statute of limitations.
Because motorists commonly do not look for bicycles they do not see them, a cyclist must take responsibility to avoid being hit by paying attention to what is going on along the roadway. Riders should continually look ahead and to the side, have a rearview mirror and use it.
Others on the road need to know what a cyclist is going to do, so using hand signals for turning is crucial. West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyers would recommend riders travel with the traffic, not against it, wear highly visible clothing colors and reflectors, use a light while biking after dark, obey all traffic signs, and not take risks.
Because a bicycle offers no protection in a collision, chances are, the cyclist will be the only person injured if struck by a car or truck, and the injuries can be significant.
Cyclists who are hit by a vehicle should promptly call a West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer for advice. The attorney can explain your rights and legal options and evaluate the strength of your case.
If the accident was the result of another person’s negligence in South Florida, a personal injury lawyer in West Palm Beach could work to prove that and take the necessary steps to build a timely, strong case and achieve the compensation their client deserves.
Total reviews: 1043 |
Average rating: 4.9
10/10 law firm definitely recommending.
After my car accident, I was not sure where to turn, but the incredible team at Kogan & DiSalvo turned what felt like a nightmare into a smooth process. Each team member went above and beyond to make me feel supported, and confident that my case was in the best hands possible.
My paralegal Sam was an absolute superstar. She handled my case with precision and care. Any time I had a question, she was just a phone call away, ready to provide clear, detailed answers and updates. Her attention to detail and commitment to helping me was very reassuring.
Angelica was the friendly face and welcoming voice that made every interaction with the firm feel personal and comforting. From the first phone call, she treated me like a priority, always greeting me warmly and ensuring I was connected to the right person promptly. Her professionalism and genuine kindness made every visit to the office a positive experience, even during stressful times.
My amazing attorney Rachel took the time to explain every step, ensuring I understood my options. Her dedication to securing the best outcome for me was evident in every decision they made. Ultimately, their hard work resulted in a settlement that exceeded my expectations, giving me the support I needed to move forward.
I’m beyond grateful for their efforts and would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation.
I’m very glad I decided to go with Coogan and Salvo. They’re very professional and they’re ahead of the curve of other firms using apps to follow up on doctors visits and case progress which makes it easier to follow. I definitely recommend
Coogan & Salvo you’ll be glad you did.
After 4 years and 9 months, our case has finally been settled out of court thanks to Todd Baker and his team: Debra, Lesley, and Amahnia. Before Todd Baker took over our suit, we had almost given up on our case. Todd and his team came highly recommended. After meeting with Todd, we decided to put our trust in him to pursue our case. We are thankful that we did. Without Todd Baker, we know we wouldn’t have gotten the settlement we did. We would highly recommend only working with Todd Baker and his team.
Kogan & DiSavo did an excellent job in handing my personal injury case. I found their staff to be caring and knowledgeable and would definitely recommend
Outstanding Legal Services by Todd L. Baker, Esq., and Team
I had the pleasure of working with Todd L. Baker, Esq., and his exceptional team, including Debra Tejada and Leslie Hernandez, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From the very first consultation, Todd’s professionalism, deep legal expertise, and attention to detail were evident.
Debra Tejada, Todd’s assistant, was incredibly organized and always kept me informed throughout the process. Her communication skills and efficiency made a potentially stressful situation much easier to navigate.
Leslie Hernandez also stood out with her friendly demeanor and ability to handle complex tasks seamlessly. Her support and dedication were invaluable.
Together, they make a wonderful team, going above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome for my case. If you’re looking for a lawyer who truly cares about their clients and a team that delivers top-notch service, Todd L. Baker, Esq., and his staff are the way to go.
My husband slipped and fell in a store due to a leaky ceiling. He immediately called Kogan & DiSalvo. He spoke to someone right away and they were on his case. He went to the doctor that they provided and was diagnosed. The attention that he received from the staff and lawyers was just amazing. All of his questions were answered, and we had complete satisfaction with the way this case was handled even though it was a very small case. We appreciate everything that was done for him, and I would definitely recommend Kogan & DiSalvo for anyone that has had a slip or fall. Thank you again!
Great Professional Team!
The number one injury attorneys in Florida!!
In September of 2024 , I was in an accident and hired a well known attorney in the state to which refused to return my calls and was very disappointed which ended in their representation of myself!
I then hired Kogan and DiSalvo,, and was VERY satisfied with them!
They returned EVERY call and answered my questions and concerns… to which ended in a settlement in 4 weeks!!
I would recommend Kogan and DiSalvo to those frustrated with misleading information… they are on top of their game!!
Thank you… Paul and team.
Joseph Z.
After my accident, Gisselle and Jay helped me immensely. They took care of everything I needed and were incredibly responsive to my questions and concerns. I feel incredibly well taken care of and cannot recommend them enough!! Thank you Jay and Gisselle for your hard work and effort with my case! 🙂
The best lawyers that I ever had to deal with they were right on point. They got their job done quick and fast. I didn’t have to wait that long and they got more than what I expected to get. They are good lawyers. They are very good lawyers. I would use them and I will recommend them to anybody
Tiffany, Maria and Michelle were easy to work with, knowledgeable and kind. It was a long process but I was kept informed along the way. Thank you for getting me what I deserved.
I was injured in a bicycle accident with an automobile in which I accumulated thousands of dollars in medical bills. I contacted Kogan & DiSalvo to see how to handle these bills, they explained the whole process and that I wouldn’t have to pay them any upfront money. I was assigned an attorney and a paralegal who explained every step of the process as it progressed. I dealt with Amanda who answered every question I had and I had a lot of them. They got all of my bills paid.I received payment for a new bicycle as well as a settlement from the accident. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of help.Lastly I would like to thank Amanda who was super helpful throughout this case.
They were absolutely phenomenal!
I am so happy I chose to come to Kogan & Disalvo they welcome me in like family when you go in ask for Jay London and Jess the best they keep me informed on everything excellent service I thank y’all so much keep up the amazing work.
I was injured while shopping at the largest corporate stores in the US. Numerous attorneys at Kogan and DiSalvo helped settle my case with a positive outcome. They set a new standard for case review of unusual elements involving the injuries I sustain ed. After continual delays by the defendants,Tiffani held fast and resolved the issues through mediation. Kogan and DiSalvo came highly recommended by friends in the business. I would also like to recommend this group for your litigation needs.
We were very impressed with the way Rachel and her team handled my mother’s case. They were not only very detailed and professional, but were always available to answer questions and concerns.
I had the pleasure of having Amanda as my paralegal over my case and she made my experience a lot smoother. She was attentive and compassionate when speaking with me and explained the legal jargon seamlessly. Now that my case has finally wrapped up I can say that I would recommend Kogan & DiSalvo to anyone in need of personal injury representation. Yes they are a giant of a legal team but with a great team that feels personal to you.
If you’re reading this, in search of representation, I wish you the best and hope you choose a team that will passionately represent you.
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..
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