Florida Bicycle Helmet Laws

Bicycle helmet laws are mandated by states to protect children and adults in some states. In Florida, if you are older than 16, the decision to wear a helmet is yours. However, we are advocates of wearing a helmet at any age. As Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers, we see what happens up close when people do not wear helmets and are the unfortunate victims of a wreck.

It only makes sense that if the head is protected when it hits a hard surface, the risk for a serious injury or even death is decreased. A comprehensive bicycle safety study done in New York showed these numbers in regards to helmet protection:

• Almost three-quarters of fatal crashes (74%) involved a head injury.
• Nearly all bicyclists who died (97%) were not wearing a helmet.
• Helmet use among those bicyclists with serious injuries was low (13%), but it was even lower among bicyclists killed (3%).

Although these numbers are particular to New York, the same kind of statistics is found in studies across the nation. The numbers are a convincing argument for wearing bicycle helmets.

In addition to wearing helmets, it is important to practice all the necessary safety measures when riding a bike in Florida. One of the key safety practices in addition to helmets is to ride the roads as if you are in a motor vehicle, following all the same rules of the road. It goes without saying that bikes are vulnerable on roadways with motor vehicles – most serious accidents involve motor vehicles.

If you or a family member has been injured in a Florida bike accident that results in an injury or even death of a loved one that is caused by another driver, you should not be held responsible for the damage(s) done.

By filing a personal injury claim against this negligent driver, you and your family may be able to earn financial compensation for your medical bills, ongoing care or physical therapy, lost wages from missed time at work and even very real instances of pain and emotional suffering.

To recover damages from a bicycle accident, it is advised that you contact a lawyer first. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can fight against the insurance companies to earn you the compensation you deserve.

To learn more about these types of cases, call the Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers of Chalik & Chalik today for a free consultation about your case. You can reach us by calling toll free (888) 539-5297 or by filling out the form on this page.