Fort Pierce Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a bicycle accident in Fort Pierce, FL?

At Tuttle Larsen Injury Attorneys, we have recovered as much as $1,250,000 for a client injured in a bicycle accident.

If you were hit by a car or truck and injured on a bicycle in Fort Pierce, you have the right to pursue compensation from the negligent driver. Our Fort Pierce, FL bicycle accident lawyer documents how the collision happened and presents your claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Our attorneys have handled injury claims for a combined total of more than 55 years, including claims for cyclists struck by cars and trucks. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee. Call us to schedule a free consultation.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Fort Pierce, FL

A bicycle accident lawyer represents cyclists who were injured by negligent drivers, and the lawyer’s first task is to prove that the driver was at fault. Insurers often claim that the cyclist was hard to see or was riding in the wrong place. The lawyer answers those claims with evidence and then proves the full cost of the injuries.

An average of 883 bicyclists were killed each year in U.S. traffic crashes from 2017 to 2021, according to NHTSA bicycle data. Many more cyclists survive crashes with fractures, head injuries, and long recoveries. A Fort Pierce bicycle accident attorney at our firm represents injured cyclists and the families of cyclists who were killed.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Fort Pierce, FL

Most bicycle injury claims involve a driver who did not see a cyclist or did not yield to one. Our Fort Pierce bicycle accident lawyers handle the case types below.

• Right-turn collisions. A driver who turns right across a cyclist’s path has failed to yield. Drivers frequently say they did not see the cyclist, and physical evidence tests that account. We use the points of impact on the car and the bicycle to show the direction each was traveling.
• Left-turn collisions. Oncoming bicycles have the right of way over a vehicle that is turning left. Witness statements and intersection video establish who had the right of way.
• Dooring accidents. A person who opens a car door into a cyclist’s path is responsible for the resulting crash. The claim is made against the insurance policy that covers the parked vehicle. Injuries in these crashes include fractures of the collarbone, wrist, and hip.
• Rear-end and passing collisions. Drivers must pass cyclists at a safe distance and speed. We prove unsafe passing with vehicle damage, photographs of the scene, and the driver’s own statements.
• Driveway and parking lot collisions. Drivers who are backing out of spaces and driveways are required to check for cyclists. These claims proceed in the same way as crashes on a public road.
• Hit and run accidents. A cyclist’s own auto policy can provide uninsured motorist coverage after a hit and run, even though the cyclist was not driving. We review the policy and present the claim.
• Road hazard claims. Potholes, debris, and uneven pavement injure cyclists more easily than drivers. The party responsible for the road or a construction site can be liable. We will investigate who controlled the area and how long the hazard was present.
• Pedestrian accidents. The driver errors that injure cyclists also injure people on foot. We represent pedestrians who were struck by vehicles in Fort Pierce.
• Truck accidents. A cyclist struck by a delivery vehicle or a commercial truck has a claim against the driver’s employer as well as the driver. We pursue the employer’s commercial insurance for the cyclist’s losses.
• Car accidents. Most bike crashes involve a passenger vehicle. Speeding, distracted driving, and failing to yield or give adequate passing space are common causes.
• Wrongful death. A fatal bicycle crash gives the cyclist’s family a claim for lost support, funeral costs, and their own loss. We bring that claim on the family’s behalf.

Why Choose Tuttle Larsen Injury Attorneys as my Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL?

Recoveries for Injured Cyclists

Our recoveries for clients total millions of dollars, and the bicycle accident cases below are part of that total.

• One bicycle accident case resolved for $1,250,000.
• A second cyclist recovered $350,000.
• Two other bicycle accident clients recovered $250,000 and $220,000.

The value of a bicycle accident claim depends on the injuries and the available insurance, not on results in earlier cases.

Representation in St. Lucie County

A personal injury lawyer in Fort Pierce, FL represents an injured cyclist against the driver’s insurance company and, when a lawsuit is needed, in the St. Lucie County courts. Jesse H. Larsen has practiced law in Florida since 2010 and holds a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. He focuses on injury cases that involve cars, trucks, and other vehicles, and he is the president of the Indian River County Bar Association.

We tell you at the outset how fault will be argued and what evidence supports your side. A bicycle accident lawyer at our firm handles the insurance claim, the medical documentation, and any lawsuit. Bicycle accident cases are accepted on a contingency fee. We charge nothing for the first consultation.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Cases

What Is The Bicycle Accident Case Timeline?

A bicycle accident claim begins with medical care and an investigation of the crash. We collect the police report, photographs, and video while you are treated. We also arrange for the bicycle and helmet to be kept in their damaged condition. A bicycle accident attorney handles communication with the insurer during this period, so you are not asked for statements directly.

We send a demand to the driver’s insurer once your doctors have described your recovery and any lasting limitations. Most claims settle during the negotiation that follows. If the insurer disputes fault or undervalues the injuries, the claim goes to court in St. Lucie County. The lawsuit involves discovery, mediation, and a trial if the case does not settle.

What Are Important Aspects of a Bicycle Accident Case?

A cyclist’s claim depends on the same four elements as any negligence claim, and several issues are specific to bicycle cases.

• Visibility is the insurer’s most common argument. Lights, reflectors, and clothing are relevant evidence, and so is the driver’s attention.
• The damaged bicycle and helmet are physical proof of how the collision occurred. They should not be repaired or thrown away.
• Many cyclists have auto insurance of their own, and that policy can add coverage to the claim.
• Head injuries are common even when a helmet is worn. Complete medical records are needed to prove the injuries and connect them to the crash.
• Florida’s two-year limitations period applies to a negligence lawsuit against the driver.

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Bicycle Accident Cases

The driver who caused the crash is liable for the cyclist’s losses, and the driver’s auto insurance pays the claim. An employer is also liable when its driver was on the clock at the time.

Insurers frequently argue that the cyclist shares the blame. Florida’s fault-apportionment statute reduces a cyclist’s compensation by the cyclist’s percentage of fault, and it bars recovery when that percentage is greater than 50.

• The cost of emergency care, hospital stays, and therapy is recoverable.
• Wages lost during recovery are recoverable, along with any lasting reduction in earnings.
• Noneconomic damages address pain, scarring, and the activities the cyclist can no longer do.
• The value of the bicycle, the helmet, and other equipment is part of the claim.

Serious injuries can also require future surgery or long-term therapy, and those costs are included.

What Should You Bring to Your Bicycle Accident Consultation?

The following items allow our attorneys to evaluate fault and damages at the first meeting.

• A copy of the crash report names the driver and the insurer.
• Photographs show the scene, the vehicle, and the bicycle.
• Treatment records and bills establish your injuries and what they have cost.
• The bicycle and helmet, or photographs of them, show the damage.
• Your own auto insurance policy shows whether you have coverage that applies.

A bicycle accident attorney explains how fault is evaluated and what the claim includes. The consultation is provided at no cost..

Most Dangerous Locations for Bicycle Accidents in Fort Pierce, FL

Cyclists in Fort Pierce share the roads below with cars and commercial vehicles. Each description notes the conditions that affect cyclists.

Streets

• Orange Avenue runs east to west through the center of Fort Pierce and carries commercial traffic.
• Virginia Avenue is a multi-lane road that connects U.S. Highway 1 to the western part of the city.
• Indian River Drive is a narrow two-lane road along the lagoon that is used by recreational cyclists.
• Seaway Drive leads to the beaches on Hutchinson Island and passes marinas and restaurants.

Highways

• U.S. Highway 1 passes through Fort Pierce as a commercial corridor with frequent driveways and intersections.
• Okeechobee Road (State Road 70) carries traffic between downtown, Interstate 95, and Florida’s Turnpike.
• State Road A1A crosses the causeways to North and South Hutchinson Island.

The St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization plans bicycle and pedestrian projects for these and other roads in the county.

Reach Out to Tuttle Larsen Injury Attorneys to Schedule a Consultation

The bicycle, your helmet, and photographs of the scene are evidence, and a free consultation is the place to start organizing them. Our bicycle accident attorneys handle these claims on a contingency fee. We answer inquiries from cyclists promptly. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Pierce, FL bicycle accident attorney.