Bicycle riders in Cocoa, Florida, should be able to ride their bikes safely without worrying about getting into an accident with a vehicle. Some people ride their bicycles for exercise or simply to enjoy the outdoors, while others commonly use a bicycle as a method of transportation. Either way, they should not have to be fearful of being struck by a vehicle.
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents happen all too often in Cocoa, Florida. In fact, roughly 18 people are involved in bicycle crashes in Florida each and every day. Florida even leads the nation in the number of bicycle deaths each year.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you need an experienced Cocoa bicycle accident attorney who knows how to get you the compensation you deserve. Injuries resulting from these accidents can be severe, so you need an attorney who knows how to properly value your case. Contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law today at (321) 517-2079 to schedule a free consultation with a Cocoa bicycle accident lawyer.
How Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Cocoa
Dealing with the aftermath of a bicycle accident in Cocoa, Florida, can be tough. Victims of these accidents often have severe injuries, and medical bills can start to pile up. The situation is even more difficult when you are unable to work due to your injuries.
The team at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law is ready to help you. We have over 75 years of combined experience helping injured clients, and we have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injury victims.
Some of the ways our Cocoa personal injury lawyers can help with your bicycle accident case include:
- Performing a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault
- Handling all communications with the insurance company
- Connecting you with quality healthcare providers
- Assessing all your medical records to accurately estimate the damages in your case
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement for your claim
- Fighting aggressively for you in court when the situation requires it
Our Coco personal injury attorneys have the experience you need on your side after a bicycle accident. We can help you get the compensation to which you are legally entitled. Schedule a free consultation with us today to speak with an experienced Cocoa bicycle accident lawyer.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
It is fairly obvious that bicycles are no match for a vehicle in an accident. For that reason, bicycle accidents often result in devastating or catastrophic injuries. The value of your bicycle accident claim depends heavily upon the nature and extent of your injuries.
Bicycle accidents involving more severe injuries will be worth more than those with only minor injuries.
Similar to car accident case values, bicycle accidents with catastrophic injuries can be worth much more, especially when wrongful death is involved. Contact the experienced team at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to let us help you accurately estimate the value of your claim.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Bicycle accident victims are entitled to be compensated for all their losses resulting from the accident. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate the victim for the financial losses suffered because of the accident. Proving the value of these damages is usually quite easy because there are receipts or other documentation that show specific dollar amounts.
Some common examples of economic damages in bicycle accident cases include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Physical therapy expenses
- Property damage
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate victims for the pain and suffering they endured as a result of the accident. This can include both physical and mental or emotional pain and suffering.
Some common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
In some limited circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are reserved for cases that involve malicious or grossly negligent conduct. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their behavior in order to deter similar behavior in the future.
The experienced team at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can perform a full case evaluation for you to determine all the damages for which you are owed compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
The good news is that hiring a bicycle accident lawyer usually requires no money upfront. Most bicycle accident lawyers charge a contingency fee. When using a contingency fee agreement, the lawyer takes their fee as a percentage of any compensation awarded to the client.
A contingency fee may range from 25% to 45% of the total recovery. For instance, imagine you are injured in a bicycle accident and agree to a 30% contingency fee with your attorney. If your attorney negotiates a settlement of $10,000, they will receive a $3,000 fee. You will receive the remaining $7,000. When using a contingency fee, your attorney does not get paid unless they win money in your case.
There are also a few other expenses often associated with bicycle accident cases, such as court costs, filing fees, and administrative expenses. The client may also be responsible for paying these fees from the proceeds of the settlement or award. Contingency fee agreements should be in writing, and you should make sure you fully understand the details before signing the agreement.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
Generally, yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being blamed for your bicycle accident. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation for your injuries.
If you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Suppose you were found to have $10,000 in damages resulting from the accident, but you were also found to be 20% at fault for the accident. In that case, your recovery would be reduced by $2,000. Thus, you would be entitled to recover $8,000.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents often result in significant injuries. You need an experienced attorney who knows how to get you compensated for all the injuries you sustained from the accident.
Some common types of injuries suffered in these accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact the team at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law today. We will fight tirelessly to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for all your injuries.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Cocoa, Florida?
Most bicycle accidents in Cocoa, Florida, are caused by driver error. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Florida, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents. Some common distractions include texting, adjusting vehicle settings, eating or drinking, and interacting with passengers.
Some other causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Excessive speed
- Poor lighting or visibility
- Equipment or mechanical failure
- Failure to yield or allow a safe distance
While bicycle riders are responsible for some accidents, most bicycle accidents are the fault of motor vehicle drivers. Contact Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to let us help you investigate your accident and determine which party was at fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for bicycle accident cases with only a few limited exceptions. This means that you have two years from the time of the accident to file a claim for damages. Missing this deadline can completely prohibit you from recovering any compensation.
Two years may seem like an eternity, but it can go by in the blink of an eye. This is especially true when you are recovering from injuries and trying to deal with an aggressive insurance company. Seek the help of an experienced attorney to make sure that you do not miss the filing deadline and lose your chance to recover compensation.
Contact Our Cocoa Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Bicycle riders in Cocoa, Florida, may be extremely careful, but the sad reality is that accidents sometimes still happen. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you need an experienced Cocoa bicycle accident lawyer on your side who knows how to handle these types of cases. Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law has over 75 years of combined experience, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to let us learn more about your situation. We will handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on getting back on your feet. Call us today to get started.