Lutz Bicycle Accident Attorney
Year after year, Florida has the first or second most bicycle accidents nationwide. The state sees more bicycle crashes than California and more than as many as Texas and other states. Florida also has the highest rate of bicycle fatalities per capita, with a rate that is more than double the national average.
Unquestionably, bicycle riders in Lutz face significant risks. While Lutz is known for its scenic routes and quiet suburban neighborhoods, the area is not immune to the dangers cyclists face throughout Hillsborough County, where nearly 97% of collisions between automobiles and bicycles result in injury or death to the bicycle rider.
Cyclists in Lutz enjoy biking for exercise, recreation, and even commuting, but their safety often depends on the actions of drivers. Negligent, speeding, drunk, or distracted drivers frequently fail to notice bicycles until it’s too late or exhibit reckless behavior around cyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Lutz, contact an experienced Lutz bicycle accident attorney at Moore Law for skilled legal assistance.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lutz
Bicycle accident injuries range from minor scrapes and bruises to life-altering injuries such as broken bones or traumatic brain injuries. With virtually no protection beyond an optional bicycle helmet, cyclists are vulnerable to ferocious impacts due to the relative size and speed of motor vehicles and can suffer severe harm in various scenarios, including:
- Being struck from behind.
- Side-swiped by a vehicle.
- A car pulling out from a driveway, parking lot, or alleyway into the cyclist’s path.
- A driver making a left turn into an oncoming bike’s path.
- Right-turn collisions, where the driver cuts off or strikes the cyclist.
- A cyclist being forced off the road or into traffic by an aggressive driver.
- A parked driver opening a car door into the path of a cyclist, often called “dooring.”
These common causes underscore the risks cyclists face on Lutz’s roads, even when taking every precaution.
Florida Laws for Bicycle Riders in Lutz
In Florida, bicycles are classified as vehicles under traffic laws. This means that cyclists in Lutz must follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles, except where those rules by their nature only apply to motorized vehicles. For example, cyclists are required to:
- Stop at stop signs and obey traffic signals.
- Signal before turning or changing lanes.
- Ride in the direction of traffic when using the road or bike lanes.
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, while pedestrians must yield to cyclists when crossing outside of crosswalks.
Additionally, Florida law imposes specific requirements for cyclists, including using a white headlamp when riding at night, equipping their bicycles with red rear reflectors, riding in designated bike lanes where available, and riding as far to the right as practicable when no bike lane exists, except when passing, turning left, or avoiding hazards.
When it comes to specific laws for motorists regarding bicycles, Florida’s “three feet for safety” law requires drivers to maintain a minimum of three feet of distance when passing a cyclist, providing critical protection on Lutz’s roads.
How Moore Law Can Help After a Lutz Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, injured cyclists can turn to their no-fault insurance coverage, also known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), for immediate assistance. If the cyclist does not have PIP coverage, they may access benefits through a family member’s policy or the at-fault driver’s coverage. However, PIP benefits only cover 80% of reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 60% of lost wages, up to $2,500 or $10,000, depending on policy limits and the presence of an emergency medical condition.
In cases involving serious injuries, cyclists can step outside Florida’s no-fault system to sue the at-fault driver for negligence. This allows victims to recover full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and other damages.
While offering a greater financial recovery, pursuing a civil claim requires proving the driver’s negligence caused the accident and the extent of the damages. Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto cyclists to reduce their liability. At the head of Moore Law, Eric Moore is an experienced personal injury attorney who understands these tactics and knows how to build a compelling case to hold negligent drivers accountable. We work tirelessly to help our clients secure the compensation they need to recover and move forward.
Contact Moore Law for Help After a Bicycle Accident in Lutz
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Lutz, Moore Law is here to help. Call us at 813-510-5400 for a free case evaluation. We’ll provide the support and legal guidance you need to ensure you receive the care and compensation you deserve after being injured by a reckless or negligent driver.
