Bicycle Accidents

St. Petersburg offers great weather for cyclists all year, and many residents choose bicycles for recreation, exercise, and commuting. Unfortunately, bicycle riders face constant risk from unsafe road conditions and negligent or reckless motorists. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in St. Petersburg, you have the right to seek full compensation for the cost of your injuries, including medical treatment and missed work. Don’t let medical bills pile up without speaking to an attorney. A St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the financial recovery and justice that you deserve.

Bicycle accident lawyers McQuaid & Douglas stands ready to help you recover as much as possible after a bicycle accident in St. Petersburg. Our attorneys always fight for maximum compensation, whether that comes in the form of a bicycle accident settlement or a verdict. Insurance companies know us as top litigators with a proven track record of success, including securing over $145 million in compensation for our clients.

We offer personalized service with an empathetic approach. We take the time to get to know you and help however we can if you face difficulties during your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how our firm can assist you in pursuing your St. Petersburg bike accident claim.
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Do I Have a Bicycle Accident Claim?

You might have a claim for financial compensation for your injuries if another party caused your bicycle accident. In most cases, this involves initiating a bicycle accident claim against a motorist who hit you while driving carelessly or recklessly. Examples of reckless driving include speeding, running a red light or stop sign, and cutting in front of a bicyclist without signaling.

You might also have a bicycle accident claim if you crashed your bike due to an unsafe or defective roadway. Sometimes, an unsafe intersection design increases the risk of collisions or poor road maintenance poses a hazard to bicyclists.

No matter what caused your crash, you should speak with a St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Why Should You Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in St. Petersburg?

Bike and auto accident collision cases can be complicated. There is a plethora of legal matters to understand and daunting insurance companies to battle. A bicycle accident lawyer can remove the pressure placed on you, allowing you to focus on recovering, returning to work, and spending time with your family. You won’t receive any stressful phone calls from the insurance companies, and you can relax knowing that you’re in safe hands.

At Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas, we know the damages you’ve suffered. When you are focused on your current medical bills, you may not be thinking about lost wages, psychological distress, future medical costs, diminished ability to perform activities of daily living, and all the other ways your life is affected by your crash. Our attorneys explore all avenues of recourse for you in your claim.

We ensure evidence is preserved correctly. Evidence can be lost in a matter of days or even hours. Our team will work to make sure it is secured.
We know which evidence will support your case. Under Florida law this is crucial, as recovering compensation is only possible if it is established that another person’s legal negligence caused the accident.
Insurance companies will exploit the stress you’re going through and your lack of knowledge, often pushing you into admitting a mistake. We make sure you are protected and fight aggressively for the best results.
An attorney can get to work straight away without the huge mental distractions you’ll likely have following a bicycle wreck. Taking action immediately will give you the upper hand.
A bicycle accident lawyer can typically deliver vastly greater results victims who choose to handle a claim without an attorney.
We’ll be your advocate throughout the entire process of your bicycle accident claim. Our team will effectively handle all the legal work and take your case all the way to verdict, if necessary.

Demanding Fair Compensation after a Bicycle Accident in St. Petersburg

If you were injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by someone else, you have the right to demand fair compensation for expenses incurred due to your injuries, including:

Medical treatment for your injuries, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medical procedures, physical and occupational rehab, prescription pain medications, and other expenses such as purchases of medical equipment

Long-term care services if you’re disabled due to your injuries

Lost income if you missed work while treating your injuries and undergoing rehabilitation

Lost earning potential due to permanent disabilities that affect your ability to return to work

Lost quality of life caused by significant scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disabilities

Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident, your injuries, treatment, and recovery

Punitive damages, if the at-fault driver’s wanton or reckless behavior caused the crash

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in St. Petersburg

Many bicycle accidents in St. Petersburg result from careless or reckless motorists who fail to share the road with riders. Some of the most frequent ways drivers cause bike accidents include:

Speeding
Tailgating
Failing to leave enough room when passing a bicyclist
Running red lights and stop signs
Distracted driving, including texting and driving, eating, drinking, reaching around the passenger cabin, grooming, and applying makeup in the mirror

Driving under the influence
Driving while drowsy or fatigued
Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors and blind spots
Failing to yield to an oncoming bicycle when making a left turn
Opening doors in front of oncoming bicycles

Other causes of bicycle accidents in St. Petersburg include:

Unsafe road or intersection designs

Poor road conditions, including broken pavement, potholes, and slick road surfaces

Poor road lighting

Common Injuries Caused by Bike Accidents

Even when wearing a helmet, a bicycle rider has little protection from a collision with a motor vehicle. For that reason, bike accidents tend to result in serious and even life-threatening injuries. Injuries commonly suffered by riders in bicycle accidents include:

Lacerations, abrasion, and road rash
Burns
Broken bones
Soft-tissue injuries, including ligament sprains, tendon/muscle strains, and tears
Neck and back injuries, including whiplash injuries
Herniated spinal discs