Have you been injured in a bicycle accident in Orlando, FL? If so, an Orlando bicycle accident lawyer from Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help you fight for compensation for your losses. Call us at (407) 801-3000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
We have over 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law and have recovered over $89 million for our clients. Our Orlando injury law firm is here to support you and protect your legal rights.
Why Should I Hire Norden Leacox After a Bicycle Accident in Orlando, Florida?
Bicycle accidents often pose unique challenges that make hiring an attorney especially important. Unlike car accidents, bicyclists are more often subjected to severe injuries and face unfair blame. Evidence, such as helmet laws, traffic camera footage, and bike position, can be disregarded if legal action is not taken.
An Orlando bicycle accident lawyer from Norden Leacox can account for these biases, preserve critical evidence, and ensure that you are treated fairly during your legal proceedings. Our personal injury attorneys have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
You can trust us to handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents In Orlando, FL?
Orlando, FL, is in Orange County. In 2023, there were 534 bicycle crashes in Orange County, 13 of which caused fatalities and 514 injuries.
The number of crashes and subsequent injuries highlights how dangerous bike riding can be in Orlando.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth in Florida?
An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you understand the value of your case. Every case value is different depending on the circumstances. Some factors that may increase the value of your case are:
- Severe and permanent injuries
- Inability to work or earn an income
- Emotional trauma
- Property damage
- Expensive medical treatment
Once we know the value of your case, we can begin negotiating a settlement. If we can’t settle for a fair amount, our lawyers will go to trial to get what you deserve.
What Kind of Damages Are Available To Bicycle Victims?
Bicycle accident victims are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases, they might claim punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are actual financial losses. These losses happen because of an accident or subsequent injury. In other words, they are expenses that are directly related to the crash.
In a bicycle accident case, economic damages might include:
- Emergency medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Cost of surgery
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Nursing home care
- Cost of medicine
- Property damage
- Alternative transportation
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
They may also include other out-of-pocket expenses, like increased childcare costs or remodeling a home to accommodate a disability.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are non-financial losses. They can be more valuable than economic damages, especially if you have a severe injury.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Mental illness
We can help you estimate the value of your non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
Unlike the other types of damages, punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for their behavior. You are not entitled to punitive damages except in certain cases.
We can request punitive damages if we show that the defendant has engaged in intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
How Can a Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
You may not know what to do after a bicycle accident. It’s normal to have a lot of questions. An Orlando personal injury lawyer at Norden Leacox can help answer those questions.
When you hire us after a bicycle accident in Orlando, Florida, our attorneys will:
- Investigate the cause of your bicycle accident
- Find out who is responsible
- Review your medical records
- Consult with expert witnesses
- Calculate your damages
- Negotiate with the insurance company and the defendant on your behalf
- Take your case to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Call our office to learn more about your legal rights during a free consultation with our Orlando bicycle accident attorneys.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
The cost of your bicycle accident lawyer will depend on the amount of damages that you win in your case. Bicycle accident attorneys are a subset of personal injury lawyers. They usually charge a contingency fee.
This means that you will pay the lawyer at the end of the case. If you lose your case, you don’t need to pay your lawyer anything. If you win, you will pay a percentage of the damages. You and your attorney will agree on the percentage at the beginning of the case.
A contingency fee arrangement is beneficial for most personal injury clients who are already struggling to pay bills. You won’t have to pay anything out of pocket, and your attorney will work hard knowing that if they lose, they won’t get paid.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident In Florida?
Yes, you can recover money if you are blamed for a bicycle accident in Florida. This remains true as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for causing the accident. This is called modified comparative fault.
If the court determines that you are more than 50% responsible, then you can’t recover anything at all. If you are less than 51% responsible, then your damages are reduced by your share of responsibility.
It’s best to strongly fight against any allegations that you are at fault in your case. Defendants and their insurance companies will try to blame you to avoid paying for your full damages.
By speaking with a lawyer soon after your accident, you can make sure that you position yourself to recover everything that you are entitled to.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, many bicycle accidents cause catastrophic injuries and even death.
We will fight to get you compensation no matter the type of injury, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Crush injuries
- Blindness or partial loss of eyesight
- Hearing loss
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal organ damage
Our lawyers will review your medical records and speak with doctors to understand the full extent of your injuries. We will also consult with expert witnesses who may be valuable for your case.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents In Orlando, Florida?
Most bicycle accidents in Orlando, Florida, are caused by negligence. Sometimes, it is a negligent bicyclist, and sometimes it is a negligent driver or pedestrian on the road.
Some of the common causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe or a lack of bike lanes
- Traffic
- Obstructions in the road
- Lack of visibility
- Failure to yield
- Opening a door
- Defects or bicycle maintenance issues
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving (like tailgating)
We will investigate the crash to determine what caused it and who is responsible. This will give you time to focus on healing.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident In Florida?
Someone is negligent when they fail to use reasonable care. Reasonable care is the care that an ordinary person uses when going about their daily life. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to avoid foreseeable accidents.
There are four elements in a negligence claim:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Your lawyer will work to prove each element by a preponderance of the evidence. This can be through witness testimony, records, photographs, video, or other forms of evidence. If you successfully prove each element, you can win your negligence case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident In Florida?
You only have two years to file a bicycle accident claim in Florida. This is called the statute of limitations. Two years may seem like a long time, but it will go by quickly. If you miss the deadline, then you will lose your right to ask for damages.
A lawyer will help you track deadlines, like the statute of limitations. Before filing a lawsuit, they may need to perform other legal work like collecting evidence, negotiating with the defendant, or filing insurance claims.
Make sure you have enough time for your lawyer to work on your case before this deadline to maximize your chances of recovery.
Contact Our Orlando Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you are ready to speak with an Orlando bicycle accident lawyer, call our office to set up a free consultation. We are available to explain your rights and get started on your case right away.
The sooner you reach out after a bicycle accident in Orlando, FL, the sooner you will recover the money you need to move forward.
For more information, please contact Norden Leacox to schedule a free consultation. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Orlando, Palm Bay, Melbourne, Cocoa, and Titusville.