orlando bicycle accident lawyer

Bicycle accidents can be dangerous for bikers and other drivers on the road in Orlando, Florida. In a crash, bicyclists are often only protected by a helmet and susceptible to serious injuries. 

If you were hurt in a bicycle crash in Orlando, FL, an Orlando bicycle accident lawyer can help. You might be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma from the crash. 

The Orlando bicycle accident attorneys at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law are available for a free consultation. We have over 75 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Our team will fight for your right to compensation after getting hurt in a bicycle accident. Contact our law offices at 470-801-3000.

How Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Can Help After a Bicycle Accident In Orlando

How Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Can Help After a Bicycle Accident In Orlando

You may not know what to do after a bicycle accident. It’s normal to have a lot of questions. A personal injury lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help answer those questions.  

Our lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollars since opening in 2020. This money has helped our clients pay off significant medical debt, reimburse them for lost wages, and recognize their pain and suffering. 

When you hire us after a bicycle accident in Orlando, FL, our Orlando motorcycle accident attorneys will: 

  • Investigate the cause of the accident
  • Find out who is responsible
  • Review your medical records
  • Consult with expert witnesses
  • Calculate your damages
  • File an insurance claim, if applicable
  • Negotiate with insurance companies and the defendant on your behalf 
  • File a personal injury lawsuit 
  • Stand up for you at trial 

Call our office to learn more about your legal rights during a free consultation.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents In Orlando, FL?

Orlando, FL sits in Orange County. There were 523 bicycle crashes in Orange County in 2023. These crashes caused nine fatalities and 507 injuries. 

The number of crashes and subsequent injuries highlights how dangerous bike riding can be in the Orlando area.

What Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?

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 your case value are:

  • Severe and permanent injuries
  • Inability to work or earn income 
  • Emotional trauma
  • Property damage
  • Expensive medical treatment 

Once we know how much your case is worth, we can begin to negotiate for 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 

It 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. This is usually called pain and suffering. Non-economic damages can be more valuable than economic damages, especially if you have a severe injury. 

We can request payment for emotional damages like:

  • 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. 

In a bicycle accident case, this may be a road rage situation where a driver intentionally pursues a bicyclist and then causes a crash. This situation is far worse than a driver who merely makes a mistake while merging. Both are responsible for economic and non-economic damages, but the first driver may deserve extra punishment to deter them in the future.

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 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 get out of 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 that 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 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. The lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law 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.