By F. Scott Pauzar, III, Collier County Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the benefits of living in a moderate, sunny climate with beautiful views in southwest Florida is being outdoors. Whether you live in a walkable or bikeable community or like to take your bike down to one of our many historic areas in the city or on our many bike trails, cycling is a popular pastime in Florida.
Unfortunately, due to heavy bike traffic from residents and tourists alike, Florida is ranked among the highest in bicycle accidents. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida is among one of the worst places to be a cyclist in terms of safety, with an annual death toll of almost 200 persons, not to mention the thousands of injuries resulting in hospitalizations or in long-term medical care. Therefore, practicing bicycle safety and knowing Florida biking laws is very important. For information on bicycle safety, visit Florida’s Pedestrian & Bicycle Focused Initiative at https://www.alerttodayflorida.com/Bicycle.
On Marco Island and in Naples, dozens of bike accidents happen each year. A bicycle accident lawyer at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo (WPL) can review what happened to see if you have a case for a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, you may. Similarly, bike accidents are quite common due to our many beautiful biking areas.
Why Do Florida Bike Collisions Occur?
One of the reasons for a bicycle accident in Naples or Marco Island is a defective bike. There could be a critical product defect in the bike manufacturing that may not be visible in the beginning but may cause a crash when it finally fails. Some bikes have been recalled due to unsafe handlebars, spokes, cables, or suspension forks. Should this be the case, a personal injury attorney will help you calculate a claim from the bike maker.
Additionally, should you collide with a moving vehicle, the accident could be the driver’s responsibility. Often the driver reports they did not see the bicyclist, but this is no excuse and not valid regarding liability for an unfortunate accident.
A third possible reason for a bicycle accident is unsafe or undermaintained property. Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property in a reasonably safe condition, including lighting, fencing, proper signage, and keeping the property in good order. Proper evaluation of your case by a bicycle accident attorney will help sort out the Florida legal issues surrounding the crash and help with the best settlement or trial outcome.
What Could I Gain by Having a Florida Bicycle Lawyer Review My Case?
The personal injury lawyers at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo in Marco Island and Naples are here to help you with a potential claim for damages should you sustain a bicycle injury due to no fault of your own. For example, if an intoxicated or otherwise distracted or reckless driver crashed into a cyclist.
Economic or monetary damages you could recover are medical bills, lost earnings, and therapy bills. However, you will need help from a bicycle accident attorney and their medical and economic experts in Florida to prove these damages and ensure you are receiving the maximum amount due.
Other losses come into play after an accident, such as emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment and consortium, and pain and suffering. An attorney can help you calculate the actual value of your non-economic losses and show the court how the accident affected your life enjoyment and mental health.
Lastly, if there is an accident situation where both parties may be at fault, a Florida court could award you a partial amount relative to fault percentages if you are partially responsible for the bicycle accident. Contact WPL today for a complimentary case evaluation.
About the Author
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo’s Naples area personal injury attorney, F. Scott Pauzar, III, is a dynamic, principled, and results-driven attorney, combining impressive courtroom experience with unparalleled attention to detail. Mr. Pauzar has a broad base of legal knowledge and skills cultivated through over 17 years of experience as a litigator in complex litigation in both state and federal courts. Mr. Pauzar has conducted over 30 jury trials in Florida State Courts.
Mr. Pauzar takes the time to truly understand his client’s needs when facing a complex injury and traumatic situation. He ensures every client gets personalized service directly with him and our team of paralegals, providing advice and representation that is always in the best interests of our clients.
Previously, Mr. Pauzar served as an insurance defense attorney, where his practice was focused on litigation of complex cases and catastrophic injuries. He now combines his jury trial and defense experience to successfully represent his clients in personal injury matters in Collier, Lee and Charlotte County. Mr. Pauzar served as an Assistant State Attorney in Lee County, Florida, for over five years. Mr. Pauzar is a military veteran, having served on active duty for four years with the United States Air Force.
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo P.A.
Naples Office:
3200 Tamiami Trail N, Ste 200
Naples, FL 34103
239-649-6555
Marco Island Office:
606 Bald Eagle Dr, Ste 500
Marco Island, Fl 34145
239-394-5161