St. Petersburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bike accidents commonly result in injuries to the face, head, neck, and internal organs that can send victims into recovery for months on end if they don’t result in death. The financial, physical, and perhaps emotional struggle bike accident victims face could never be planned for, but with an injury attorney on your side, you can recover the money you need to pull through.

If you or a loved one were injured in a bike crash in Pinellas County, Florida, a St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers is equipped to fight for you. We offer accident victims the chance to explore their legal options during a free case evaluation with our legal team.

How Much Will a Lawyer at Your St. Petersburg Injury Law Firm Cost?

Our attorneys work for a contingency fee; we don’t seek any legal fees for our services unless we win your bicycle accident case. We represent our injury clients in St. Petersburg at no upfront cost. Our law firm only requires payment after a settlement or court award has been given. If we cannot win for you, you do not owe us any money for our legal help. This payment arrangement enables us to begin work on your case immediately and removes financial obstacles out of the way of justice.

What Can I Recover in a St. Petersburg Bike Accident Case?

The law in Florida allows bicycle accident victims to claim compensation for injuries and expenses caused by the accident. If a motor vehicle driver acted negligently and caused your injuries, they are responsible for paying any damages that arise.

Damages in your bike accident may include economic, non-economic, and in rarer cases, punitive damages.

Economic Damages Explained

Economic damages provide payment for financial losses associated with or resulting from your injuries or accident as a whole. You can generally calculate the total amount of money you can receive from economic damages using documentation like bills and receipts. Economic damages cover expenses like:

• Lost wages
• Reduced earning ability if you’ve suffered temporary or permanent disability
• Medical bills
• Damage to or total destruction of your bike
• Transportation to doctor appointments or normal everyday travel required since you cannot get yourself there
• Replacement services
• Physical therapy
• Accessibility equipment like a wheelchair or crutches

Non-economic Damages Explained

Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering you experience due to the bicycle accident. You might be going through organ trauma or depression, neither of which can be measured in money. These intangible losses still deeply affect your health and future. Consequently, they impact your financial compensation in a bicycle accident claim. You can be compensated for non-financial losses, such as:

• Depression
• PTSD
• Fear or anxiety caused by the accident
• Loss of quality of life
• Inconvenience
• Internal injuries
• Back injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Acute or chronic pain
• Loss of function of body parts
• Burns
• Scars or disfigurement

Punitive Damages in Bicycle Accidents

Punitive damages can be awarded in cases where the at-fault driver acted in a way that is consistent with intentional misconduct or gross negligence, per Florida Statute § 768.72. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drag racing, or speeding in a school zone are actions that would fall into one of these two categories. Your St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer can pursue punitive damages in an effort to punish the defendant for their wrong actions and to prevent others from doing the same.

Our Law Firm Serving St. Petersburg Can Handle Your Entire Bike Accident Case

On top of not having the physical capability, you also may not have the mental energy to pursue such a demanding course of action as an insurance claim. Our law firm serving St. Petersburg will step in to handle the details of your bicycle accident case so that you can focus your time and energy on your recovery.

One of the most important parts of seeking compensation is investigating the accident. Your injury lawyer will look for any evidence of negligence from the driver who struck you. We’ll uncover evidence that establishes four crucial facts in your bike accident:

1. The driver who hit you should have been driving carefully.
2. The driver did not drive carefully due to some act of negligence.
3. The driver’s negligent actions directly caused the accident.
4. You sustained injuries and related damages because of the bike accident.

Bicycle Accidents Caused by Traffic Violations

Violating state or local laws can lead to a traffic accident. If the at-fault driver failed to follow laws intended to protect bike riders, negligence can be more easily established. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), some of these laws include:

• Drivers must provide bicyclists at least three feet of clearance when driving beside them or overtaking them.
• Drivers must yield to bicyclists when turning and complete their turn behind the bike.
• Drivers are to refrain from using high beam headlights when they see a bicyclist approaching.
• Drivers should check for bicyclists who may be approaching from behind prior to opening any doors.

Four Years Is Not as Much Time as You Think

Per Florida Statute § 95.11, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident, so you may want to get in contact with an injury lawyer to initiate your claim as soon as possible. Your St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer will need to properly investigate, gather evidence, and enter talks with the insurance company to successfully resolve your bike accident claim. If an agreement cannot be reached, we may need to file a lawsuit, but that is not typically the first course of action. Therefore, you’ll need time to build a strong case that’s ready for court.

Compensable Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bike riders who are struck by motor vehicles often experience injuries to the head that can result in death or long-term disability. Common and serious injuries bicycle riders sustain when involved in a collision with a motor vehicle include:

• Back and spinal injury
• Head injuries including traumatic brain injury
• Neck injury
• Facial and dental injuries
• Broken bones and dislocations
• Damaged abdominal organs like the spleen or pancreas
• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, bruises, lacerations, scraped skin/flesh)

If you’ve sustained any of these or other injuries after being hit by a car or another motor vehicle, you could be facing uncertainty in both your health and financial future. An injury lawyer with our firm will dedicate themselves to correcting that and providing you financial stability in this challenging time.

Contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for Attentive and Personal Legal Service

A St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer at our firm can take on your case and fight for the compensation you need and deserve. You’ll receive the personal time and attention of Jason and Debi Chalik, our founding partners. They see to each case directly, ensuring you always feel like a priority. Contact us today for a free case review.