COVID-19 caught most US citizens and employers off guard. Many businesses scaled back on employee hours, while others were forced to lay workers off. As such, a lot of households across the nation are struggling to pay their bills these days. That has left folks with no other choice but to reduce their spending and cut expenses down to the bare minimum. One way of doing so is to walk or ride a bike rather than drive a car.

Even before the healthcare crisis, plenty of bicyclists and pedestrians shared the roadways with motorists in Florida. However, with no financial relief in sight, there could be even more of them before long.

Let’s start by saying there is nothing wrong with using a bike or your feet to get around. Walking and cycling are excellent ways to exercise and get in shape. Those activities are also good for the environment as they cut down on harmful gases being released into the atmosphere. We are talking about the substances that contribute to global warming and seem to be making hurricanes stronger each year.

Riding bikes and walking from one place to another help people save money as well. They don’t have to purchase fuel or insurance like with cars. Due to the high volume of traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the Sunshine State, it is not uncommon for cyclists, walkers, or joggers to get struck by vehicles. Just take a look at these recent headlines for the area:

• Patch – Pedestrian Killed In Ruskin Crash: Florida Highway Patrol
• Patch – Pedestrian Killed In 66th St. N In St. Pete: Police
• Patch – Bicyclist In Critical Condition From Hit-And-Run In Frostproof
• WKRG News – FHP: Bicyclist Dies In Santa Rosa County Accident

These Incidents Cause Severe And Fatal Injuries

Bicycles do not provide the same protections as vehicles, nor does the human body. Bike frames, skin, and bones are no match for cars, trucks, or SUVs. In turn, when motor vehicles hit bicyclists and pedestrians, the victims often sustain severe and lasting injuries. Those tend to include anything from fracture and broken bones to burns and paralysis. However, as anyone can see from the headlines above, these incidents also claim lives.

Should You Contact A Personal Injury Attorney Following A Bicycle Or Pedestrian Crash?

The short answer to this question is yes, you should contact a lawyer after a pedestrian or bike crash. When a driver’s negligence is the reason the incident occurred, you may be entitled to fair compensation for your wounds. The same is true for families that lose their loved ones in such tragedies. Proving that the other party was, in fact, negligent can be a time-consuming and stressful task. That is where having top-notch legal representation comes in handy.

Personal injury lawyers use different pieces of evidence to build strong cases and prove that negligence happened. Some of the typical types of proof utilized in these cases include but are not limited to:

• Cell Phone Records
• Witness Statements
• Surveillance Camera Footage
• Police Reports

Choosing the right firm to handle your case can make all the difference in the world. We answer client phone calls and emails promptly. That means you can expect your questions or concerns to be addressed as soon as possible, and you do not have to wait by your phone for days on end. Our team members also treat people as they should be treated—with courtesy and respect.

The initial case review is free, so Floridians do not have to break their banks to see where their claims stand. Additionally, clients only pay if compensation is recovered. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian crash, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We will gladly fight on your behalf to recover the compensation that you deserve.