West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyers
The West Palm Beach, Florida bicycle accident lawyers at Smith & Vanture are here to help if you have been injured in a bike accident. Bike riders are incredibly vulnerable road users. Not only do riders not have the protective chassis of a vehicle, but they also generally are not insured like vehicles, even though they are legally considered vehicles in the state of Florida. This means that when riders are seriously injured in West Palm Beach, Florida bike accidents, their only way to make an insurance claim would be by pursuing a claim with the driver negligent for the accident. Unfortunately, all it takes is one little error on the part of a driver for a bicyclist to be seriously injured. If the impact occurred at higher speeds, then injuries can be serious, life-altering, or result in wrongful death. The West Palm Beach, Florida bike accident lawyers at Smith & Vanture defend the rights of injured bicyclists. If you were hurt as a bicyclist in West Palm Beach, Florida, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The West Palm Beach, Florida bike accident lawyers at Smith & Vanture are here to help you.
Florida Bicycle Laws
Bicycles are considered a vehicle in the state of Florida. This means that bicycle riders have the same rights to the road as any other driver. However, there are some basic rules that bike riders have to follow in order to keep themselves safe. Bicycle riders are required to obey all traffic rules. 
They are also required to keep at least one hand on the handlebar at all times. Additionally, a bicycle rider is responsible for maintaining their bike and ensuring that it is safe to ride.
The reality is that even when bike riders obey all traffic laws, drivers still make mistakes. Distracted driving, drunk driving, reckless driving, and situations where drivers break the law can have major consequences for bicyclists. Because bike riders are required to follow the rules of the road, there have sometimes been situations where police bias or biased reports failed to take into account the fact that drivers broke the law or made critical mistakes. If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident, you need a bike accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida who can cut through the bias. You are not alone and don’t have to fight your case by yourself. If you were injured in a bike accident in West Palm Beach, Florida reach out to Smith & Vanture today. We are here to help.
Bicycle Accident Injuries in West Palm Beach, Florida
Regardless of how good of a bike rider you are, you can easily be involved in an accident. In many cases, the bike rider is injured due to the fault of a car driver. Head injuries are among the most common bicycle accident injuries. However, this is one of the most preventable injuries.
The best thing that you can do in order to prevent yourself from suffering a serious head injury is to wear a helmet. In fact, studies have shown that bike riders who wear helmets can reduce their risk of suffering a serious head injury by up to 70 percent. Neck injuries are another one of the most common bicycle accident injuries. You can reduce your risk of a serious neck injury by up to 65 percent by wearing a helmet.
Broken bones are also common in people who get into a bicycle accident. A person can have a simple fracture or a compound fracture. A simple fracture does not pierce the skin. A compound fracture causes the bone to stick out of the skin.
Because bike riders don’t have the protective chassis of a vehicle, it is more likely that they might get tossed into the road. This can result in road rash injuries, serious internal injuries, and more. Road rash injuries can result in disfigurement, pain, and a long road to recovery. In many ways, road rash injuries are similar to severe burns and can require a similar course of rehabilitation. Bike injuries can result in spinal cord injury, amputations, and other permanent life-altering injuries. These injuries can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in rehabilitation expenses and change a victim’s life forever.
Other injuries may not be so readily visible. Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from a serious bike accident can affect riders’ mental health. Bicyclists may struggle to get back on the road and may have difficulty riding again. They may experience depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and other mood changes. Some experience insomnia as a result of a serious bike accident, and struggle to perform regular life activities. Individuals may miss time from work or struggle to enjoy life.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a bike accident and suffered serious or life-altering injuries, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. The bike accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida at Smith & Vanture may be able to help you. Our bicycle accident attorneys work closely with victims and families, fighting for justice by holding negligent drivers accountable.
Call Smith & Vanture, Bicycle Accident Attorneys in West Palm Beach Today!
How Bike Accident Claims Differ from Car Accident Claims
Bike accident claims can differ from car accident claims in significant ways. Unlike car accident claims that involve two motorists, bicycle accident claims involve a situation where one road user is more vulnerable and where one road user may have access to insurance to cover losses while the other may not have these benefits. Bike riders are typically not insured when they are struck by a motor vehicle. In the aftermath of a car accident involving two motor vehicles, typically both insurance companies will consult and negotiate with one another to determine which was the negligent party, determine who should pay what, and offer a settlement. While it can be helpful to have a personal injury lawyer in this case, there might be situations where both motorists are happy with the settlement their car insurance companies offer and are able to move forward with their lives following an accident, with minimal help from a personal injury lawyer, and in some cases with no assistance at all if the accident was minor. With a bike accident, one party is not covered by insurance, making it even more crucial that victims seek the assistance of a personal injury lawyer. The bike accident lawyers in West Palm Beach, Florida at Smith & Vanture work closely with individuals who have been hurt in car accidents. We can review your case and fight for your interests when negotiating with the driver’s insurance company.
Bike accidents can also result in much more serious injuries for bike riders. Injuries can be far more severe than typical motor vehicle accidents. The larger the claim an insurance company might need to pay out, the harder pushback victims might be likely to receive. A bike accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida at Smith & Vanture can review your case, estimate the value of your claim, and fight for your rights either inside or outside court.
Contact a Bike Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida Today
You need a bicycle accident attorney in West Palm Beach if you have been injured in an accident. A West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer will review your claim and determine who is at fault for the accident. They can also help you get compensation. Contact us today.