Bicycle Accident Attorneys in St. Augustine

Tragically, bicycle accidents with cars or trucks often result in catastrophic injury or death to the bicyclist. St. Johns County, with its many rural roadways, is a popular place for long road bicycling and, as a result, it has more than its fair share of bike accidents. Our lawyers represent people injured in St. Johns County and St. Augustine when struck by a car or truck while bicycling.

For one reason or another, there have been a large number of fatal bike accidents on US 1 in St. Johns County, just north of St. Augustine. Along such lines, the section of A1A that stretches from Vilano to Ponte Vedra Beach is popular for long distance bicyclists; however, there is not a designated bicycle lane resulting in very unfortunate accidents causing serious injuries. State Road 207, on the other hand, has a separate bicycle path that allows for safe long distance biking, which results in far fewer accidents.

In Florida, bicycles are considered “vehicles” and, as such, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the roadways as persons operating vehicles.

In designated bike lanes, motorists must look out for, and yield to, bicyclists. In roadways without bicycle lanes, the bicyclist is required to ride as close to the right side of the road as possible. If there is room, a motorist can pass to the left of the bicyclist. Sufficient room to pass in the same lane requires three feel of clearance. If there is not sufficient room, the motorist cannot pass, unless he or she can do so in an adjacent or oncoming lane.

One of the most common types of incidents that our bike accident attorneys in St. Augustine see are situations where the bicyclist is driving the wrong way on a road or sidewalk approaching an intersection when a vehicle driver intends to take a right turn. Often, the driver of the car will look to his or her left for oncoming traffic before turning right. A bicyclist passing in front of the car can be struck resulting in serious injury or death.

Persons under 16 years of age are required to wear helmets when operating a bike in a roadway. Bicycles being operated at night must have a head and a rear lamp. Contrary to common misperception, bicycles are allowed to operate on sidewalks.

If the driver of a car or truck is at fault for injuring a bicyclist, the damages that can be recovered include: past medical bills; future medical bills; loss of wages; disability; pain; suffering; mental anguish; and inconvenience. It is important to hire an attorney experienced in bicycle accidents in order to maximize each of these categories of recovery.

First and foremost, is making sure you get the medical care you need. If you have your own car insurance, the no-fault or personal injury protection coverage, will pay the first $10,000.00 of your medical bills at the rate of 80%. However, not all medical providers will accept personal injury protection coverage. This is, at least partly, because some doctors do not want to get involved in an injury case in which the doctor might need to provide testimony. Making sure you see a doctor who is willing to accept your personal injury protection coverage – and who is willing and able to testify if need be – is extremely important. Our lawyers can help you find doctors and other medical providers in St. Augustine or St. Johns County who will do so.

If we accept your bicycle accident case, you will not have to ever pay us anything out of pocket. Rather, we only get paid if we recovery money for you. Consultations are always free and can take place over the phone or in person at a place convenient to you. We have offices in Jacksonville and St. Augustine; however, we can also meet at, or somewhere close to, your home.