Clearwater Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Our bicycle accident lawyers at Light & Wyatt understand the unique challenges cyclists face on Florida roads. With over 30 years of experience protecting victims’ rights, we are familiar with the games insurance companies play, and we’re here to level the playing field.
Why Hire Us?
- Personal Service: As our client, you are our priority
- Experience: Protecting victims’ rights since 1990
- Track Record: Millions in recoveries for clients
Let us help you get the money you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. As award-winning trial attorneys for victims in Florida, we will help you make the most of your injury claim.
For lawyers who care about your recovery, call Light & Wyatt at 727-499-9900. Initial consultations are free.
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Our Attorneys Won’t Settle for Less Than Your Case Is Worth
Florida law gives cyclists the same rights as motorists, but insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims entirely. Whether your accident was caused by a distracted driver, dangerous road conditions, or vehicle defects, we’ll fight to make sure your recovery is maximized.
We understand what you’re going through. After a suffering a serious injury in a bicycle accident, it’s not uncommon for victims like you to be confused, in pain, and under a lot of financial and emotional stress. Your inability to work, or even go for a walk, only adds to the pressure. It’s understandable how little things, like watching the postal worker arrive with the latest stack of medical bills, can easily become overwhelming.
Unfortunately, it’s during this difficult time that you can expect the insurance company to strike.
With your financial stability on the line, it can be tempting to accept that settlement check. While the money may provide immediate financial relief, however, it isn’t going to be enough to cover your medical bills, let alone replace your lost income, or compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ve been forced to endure.
That’s where Light & Wyatt comes in.
When you hire our law firm to handle your case, we will:
Provide the personalized attention your case deserves:
You are never just a faceless client when you hire Light & Wyatt. You’re like family. We take the time to sit down with you and listen to your side of the story. We answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you achieve your goals. Unlike many attorneys who only show you attention until you sign on the dotted line, our personalized service and dedication to your success continue through every phase of your case.
Uncover crucial details other injury lawyers miss:
At Light & Wyatt, we take the time to investigate your case. We identify all parties who may be liable for your injuries and uncover crucial details that might be missed by other accident lawyers. It’s in these important details that defense strategies are unraveled and complicated cases like yours are won.
Significantly increase your chances of obtaining full financial recovery:
Because our knowledge, dedication, and skill in the courtroom is unsurpassed, hiring our law firm significantly increases your chances of winning the full amount you are entitled to receive. Recent studies reveal that injured victims who hire experienced lawyers to handle their cases recover approximately three times more compensation than people who negotiate with insurance companies on their own.
What Are Common Injuries Suffered in Clearwater Bicycle Accidents?
Victims suffer a wide range of injury types in Florida bike accidents. Because bicycles do not provide the same protections that an enclosed motor vehicle provides, and they are significantly smaller than cars and trucks, most cyclist injuries are severe. The most common types of injuries we see include:
More deadly bike accidents happen in Florida than in any other state in the nation, with 6.2 fatalities per 100,000 residents. In Pinellas County, the bicycle accident fatality rate is the highest per capita than anywhere in the Tampa Bay metro area, which is higher than any metro area in the United States.
Recovering Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries in Florida
Although it stands to reason that the motorist or other party who caused your injuries should pay for your losses, recovering compensation isn’t usually that simple. Insurance companies will go to great lengths, and even try to prove you were at fault for the crash, to get out of paying your claim. To make sure you obtain full financial recovery from all the liable parties, our bicycle injury attorneys will:
Investigate your case:
Our law firm will obtain and examine all relevant records, including your medical records and police reports. He will gather photos and video footage, interview witnesses, and even work with accident reconstructionists to determine the cause of your crash.
Identify all sources of recovery:
When bicycle accidents happen in Florida, it’s not uncommon for multiple sources of recovery to exist. We will track down all insurance companies, third parties, and negligent bicycle or auto parts manufacturers who may be held liable for your injuries.
Negotiate with insurance companies:
Our law firm will handle all communication with the insurance company or companies and other parties involved in your case. By handling negotiations on your behalf, we’ll make sure your rights are protected, and your financial recovery is optimized.
Fight for you in court:
If the insurance companies and/or other parties who are liable for your losses refuse to offer you a fair settlement, we will bring your case to court. We will present evidence to prove liability for your injuries to the jury. Most trials involving serious injuries last anywhere from two days to two weeks. Once both sides have presented their cases, the jury will issue a verdict.
How Much Is Your Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
While we will do our best to provide you with an accurate estimate of the value of your case, we cannot guarantee how much you will recover after filing a bicycle accident claim or lawsuit. To determine the approximate value of your case, our bicycle accident attorneys will consider factors like:
- The severity of your injuries and how they impact your life
- The medical care, surgeries, medications, and medical equipment you will require in the future
- Whether you are expected to fully recover from your injuries
- Whether you will be able to return to your job, or another type of job, in the future
What Damages Can Be Recovered in Bicycle Accident Cases in Florida?
Economic damages and non-economic damages can generally be recovered in Florida bicycle accident cases. Although it’s rare, the jury may also award punitive damages if they determine the at-fault driver’s actions were grossly negligent.
Economic Damages
Your out-of-pocket expenses and financial losses are categorized as economic, or “special” damages in Florida. These types of damages are easily calculated by adding up the total of your medical bills, lost wages, the cost of your medical equipment, expenses to modify your vehicle or home, your property damage, and other financial losses the accident caused.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, also known as “general damages”, include things that are more subjective. Since it is difficult to assign a monetary value to your pain and suffering, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life, we will use your economic damages as a basis when calculating your non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
If the party who caused your bicycle accident acted intentionally, or that party’s actions were especially egregious, the jury may also award punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar acts in the future.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Clearwater
In the days and weeks following your bicycle accident, you’re likely dealing with mounting medical bills, missed work, and the overwhelming realization that your life has been turned upside down. While you’re focused on healing, the insurance companies are already working to minimize what they’ll pay you. Understanding your rights and taking the right legal steps now can make the difference between a fair recovery and being left to struggle with expenses you never should have faced alone.
Don't Let the Insurance Company Take Advantage of Your Situation
Insurance adjusters may seem helpful when they call, but remember: they work for the insurance company, not for you. They’re trained to get you to say things that can be used to reduce or deny your claim entirely. Before you give any recorded statements or sign any documents, consult with an experienced accident attorney. What seems like harmless paperwork could actually be a release that prevents you from seeking additional compensation later.
Preserve Evidence Before It's Too Late
Critical evidence in bicycle accident cases can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses is often deleted after 30 days. Witness memories fade. Your damaged bicyclze and gear are crucial pieces of evidence that should be preserved exactly as they were after the crash. Don’t attempt repairs or throw anything away. These items help prove the severity of impact and support your claim for compensation.
Understand What Your Case Is Really Worth
The settlement offer the insurance company presents may seem substantial, but it’s likely just a fraction of what your case is really worth. In Florida, injured cyclists can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical care, and property damage. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or enjoying activities you once loved, you deserve compensation for those losses, too. An experienced attorney can properly evaluate your case and ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
FAQs About Florida Bicycle Accident Cases
Can I still recover damages if I was partially responsible for my bicycle accident?
Maybe. Florida is a modified comparative negligence state, so as long as you were less than 51% at fault for the accident, you may collect damages. Your award will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
Does PIP insurance cover bicycle accident injuries in Florida?
Yes. If you carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance on your automobile, it extends to cover you while you’re riding a bicycle. Your PIP policy will cover 80% of your accident-related medical bills, and 60% of your lost wages. PIP does not compensate victims for pain and suffering.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer in Florida?
Hiring a lawyer shouldn’t cost you anything until your case is won. Florida bicycle accident lawyers usually accept personal injury cases without charging upfront fees. Since they work on a contingency fee basis, they deduct their fees from your injury award when your case is resolved. If you don’t win, you don’t pay.
How much time do you have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
Generally, Florida bicycle accident victims will have up to two years to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their injuries. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, however. Working with an attorney early on can help ensure you take legal action by the deadline.
If you are looking for a law group that is as much concerned about your health as they are getting you the absolute largest settlement possible, you have found the right firm. I was told by the largest law group in the United States, that my case was not worth pursuing. Jim Magazine immediately took over the case, arranged for an appointment to see his personal neurologist, and in the end settled the case for policy limits. Don’t always believe that the largest is the best. Jim Magazine and his staff will treat you with the care you deserve. You’re in the best hands possible with Jim Magazine.