South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A recent bicycle accident in West Palm Beach seriously injured a 55-year-old rider. The accident happened on Military Trail when the bicyclist was struck by a van, according to The Palm Beach Post News.

The Traffic Homicide Unit of the sheriff's office reports that the bicyclist was thrown from his bike during the accident and was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

Our Boca Raton bicycle accident attorneys understand Florida is the deadliest state in the nation when it comes to bicycle accidents. And Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties report more fatal accidents that any other area in the state. As we head into the holiday season and we start to see more tourists on our roadways, we can expect these horrible accidents to increase. We ask all bicyclists and motorists to travel cautiously and compassionately to help save lives.

"Florida needs to add bicycle awareness to its Florida drivers license exam," said Miriam Gallet, of the North Florida Bicycle Club.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were more than 700 bicyclists killed 2008. Nearly 55,000 additional riders were injured during this time. One in every six fatal bicycle accidents happened in Florida that year, where we lost nearly 150 bicyclists. The only other state to report more than 100 bicyclist deaths during this time was California, which saw about 109 fatalities result from bicycle accidents.

With the inflation in gas prices, bicyclists aren't only using this form of transportation to get out and to get some exercise, but to also save money at the pump. Many residents use bicycles as their main form of transportation in the area. Bicycling is much more inexpensive than driving to and from work and school every day, but the risks are very real. We would like to remind cyclists to use extreme caution when opting to ride a bicycle through town.

"I think it is a fact that more people are out riding year round," said Beau Cautens, shop mechanic at Paradise Bicycles in Cape Coral, "and because more people are riding year round, there is going to be more accidents."

Many blame the growth and the popularity of Florida for the number of fatal bicycling accidents we see each year. In 1950 there were less than 3 million residents. Today there are approximately 19 million.

"Florida has developed faster than any other state in the nation," says Louis Malenfant, president of the Center for Education and Research in Safety.

Many of our roadways were designed to handle heavy-flowing and speedy traffic. Officials around the state are working on better roadways for bicyclists, but change comes slowly.

Please do your part and help keep our cycling friends safe.

Continue reading "West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Injures 55-Year-Old Rider" »

Bicycling.com recently announced its top 50 cities for cycling, and two Florida cities made the list.

Our Boca Raton bike accident lawyers know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported more than 100 fatal bike crashes in 2009. We know that bike fatalities are down 12 percent from 2008, but more needs to be done to protect cyclists from tragic Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents.

Gainesville was ranked 16th and Miami came in 44th among cities with smart, savvy bike stores and a diverse bike culture. Ranking criteria included municipal bike racks, segregated bike lanes and bike boulevards.

The bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle in Florida. Riders have the same rights and must obey the same traffic laws as motorists. Riders have to stop for stop signs and red lights, yield the right-of-way when entering a road, ride with the flow of traffic and use lights at night.

Below is a summary of traffic laws pertaining to bicycles:

Bicycle Regulations
-Riders must obey all traffic controls and signals.

-Riders must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.

-No bicycle can be used to carry a passenger.

-One hand must be on the handlebars at all times.

-Parents and guardians should make sure children obey bicycle laws.

-All bicycles must be equipped with properly working brakes. If traveling at 10 miles per hour, the bike must stop within 25 feet.

Sidewalk Riding
-Riders have the same duties and rights as a pedestrian when riding in crosswalks or on sidewalks.

-When riders are in crosswalks or on sidewalks, they must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. An audible signal must be sounded prior to passing.

Lighting
-At a minimum, a bicycle needs to have a white front light visible from 500 feet and a light and red reflector on the back visible from 600 feet.

-Additional lighting is recommended.

Signaling Turns
-A rider must signal a turn at least 100 feet before turning.

-A right turn hand signal can be either extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bike or extending the left hand and arm upward.

Headsets
-A rider cannot wear headphones, a headset or any other listening device (hearing aides are permitted).

Here are some safety tips to avoid a deadly crash:

-Obey all state and local traffic laws.

-Ride with the normal flow of traffic.

-Recognize and understand common bicycle crash situations. Review colorful diagrams at Florida Bicycle Association on how these accidents happen and what to do to prevent them.

-Even if it is not the law, wear a properly fitted helmet.

-Wear bright clothing or reflective material.

-Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

-Keep your bike in good working order. Check of your brakes, tires, lights, seat and handlebars before heading out.

-Know your hand signals. Motorists need to know what you are planning to do. Signal at least 100 feet before you turn.

Continue reading "Cyclists, Motorists Must Know Road Rules to Avoid Bicycle Accidents in Boca Raton, Elsewhere" »

A Boca Raton bicyclist was recently involved in an accident with a box truck on State Road A1A, according to Delray Beach Police.

As the bicyclist attempted to overtake traffic on the right side of the road a box truck, making a right hand turn onto Del Harbor Drive, collided with the 48-year-old cyclist, The Examiner reported. The box truck hit the rider and killed the bicyclist, according to the accident report.

Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers urge motorists and bicyclists to be cautious of one another as the spring time brings out both sets of travelers. Many motorists hit the roads during this time of year to vacation as many bicyclists hit the open road to enjoy the scenery and beautiful weather.

We urge riders to be cautious of motorists as they are often overlooked when sharing the roads with motor vehicles. It is important that both parties do their part to make our roadways safer this spring and attempt to decrease the risks of Boca Raton bicycle accidents.

According to BicyclingInfo.org, more than 600 lives were lost, and an additional 51,000 cyclist were injured, in bicycle/motor vehicle accidents in 2009. That's an average of about 2 people a day dying from these crashes in the United States.

The National Safety Council estimates that roughly $4 billion a year is spent on bicycle injuries. Florida saw more than 100 fatalities resulting from bicycle/motor vehicle accidents in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While the number of bicyclist fatalities in 2009 is 12 percent lower than the 718 bicyclist fatalities reported in 2008, more needs to be done to increase safety measures.

Yield To Life offers these tips to motorists to help keep bicyclists safe when sharing the roads with one another:

-Make sure it's safe to pass a bicycle. Allow plenty of room between you and the bike and avoid tailgating.

-Allow bicyclists extra time to get through intersections.

-Give the bicyclist the right of way. Help them to make sure they make their way to the other side safely.

-Take a second look. Always double check for cyclists when making a turn or passing through an intersection.

-Refrain from unnecessarily honking at cyclists. Your honking may cause a cyclist to lose their bearings and can create a hazardous situation for the both of you.

-Be extra careful when parking, backing up and opening doors. As children on smaller bikes may be harder to see, it is necessary to take that extra moment to double check.

Yield For Life also offers safety tips for bicyclists to allow them to travel safely with motorists on our Florida roads:

-Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. This will ensure that a motorist sees you and will help you to assert your rightful place on the road.

-Be sure to wear bright clothing, especially when riding at night. Equip your bike with proper lights and reflectors so you can make your presence is known in dimly lit areas.

-Just as motorists should check twice for you, you should check twice for them. Always look before crossing roads and intersections.

-Be sure to always have at least one hand on your handlebars. Use hand signals to help alert motorists of your expected movements.

-Be sure to ride along with traffic and not against it.

On our Florida roads, it is inevitable that motorists and cyclists will be traveling together. Make sure that we all do our part to keep our roads as safe and as accident free as possible for everyone.

Continue reading "Spring Brings Increased Risks of Bicycle Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton" »

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that nine bicyclists have been killed in the area in recent months.

Bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton are a common danger through the winter months. As most of the rest of the country puts the bicycles away for the winter, the risk of a bicycle accident in South Florida actually increases with the increasing number of bicycles on the road. Tourists, winter residents and year-around residents all take to the bike trails to enjoy the cool breezes and mild temperatures of winter in South Florida.

In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Florida is the most dangerous state in the nation when it comes to bicycle accidents. In 2008, a total of 125 fatal Florida bicycle accidents were reported, compared to 109 in California, which was the only other state in the nation to report more than 100 deaths. Texas reported the third-highest number of bicycle fatalities, with 53 people killed.

Nationwide, more than 1 in 7 fatal bicycle accidents occurred in Florida. A total of 716 riders were killed in 2008 and 52,000 were injured. And, as cycling's popularity has increased for recreation and fitness, so has the number of older riders, particularly men, who are seriously injured or killed in accidents.

In the latest Tampa accident, a 64-year-old rider was struck and killed by a Jeep on U.S. 41 -- becoming the 9th bicycle fatality in Tampa in little more than three months. The Florida Highway Patrol reports the rider did not have lights and was not wearing a helmet.

The bicyclist was struck from behind and pushed into a power pole. The other riders killed recently have ranged in age from 30 to 52 and all but one has been male.
Safe Florida bicycling tips are available here.

Continue reading "Winter in South Florida a deadly time for bicycle accidents" »

A pair of deaths was reported over the weekend involving bicycle and motorcycle riders -- a reminder to motorists to watch out for our two-wheeled friends as we head into fall and prepare for the start of the tourist season.

A Lake Worth bicycle accident has claimed the life of a Palm Springs man, the Sun-Sentinel reported. The man died of his injuries nearly three weeks after being struck on the sidewalk of 10th Avenue North, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The bike collided with the passenger side of a 2003 Honda Element that was pulling out of a private driveway. The victim died on Saturday at Delray Medical Center.

Also on Saturday, a Coral Springs motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 38-year-old woman. The Sun-Sentinel reported the woman was riding westbound on Royal Palm Boulevard, west of University Drive, when she was involved in an accident with a pickup truck.

Her 44-year-old husband was hospitalized in critical condition. Police say the accident happened when the pickup truck's driver failed to yield while changing lanes.

While the numbers of serious and fatal motorcycle and bicycle accidents have declined, Florida remains among the deadliest states in the nation for riders. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports 100 cyclists were killed last year and 4,376 were injured. Florida motorcycle accidents killed 402 riders and injured more than 8,000.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale area bicycle accident, motorcycle accident, a reminder to motorists" »

More than 235,000 Florida car accidents were reported in 2009, claiming 2,563 lives and injuring more than 197,000 motorists, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle's annual report.

Somewhere in Florida an accident happens every 2 minutes, every day, all year long. While the 2,563 fatalities recorded in 2009 represents a four-year trend of declining traffic deaths, it still means that more than seven motorists a day are killed on Florida roads. A South Florida injury lawyer should be contacted whenever a motorist is involved in a traffic accident. Frequently, injuries resulting from an accident are not readily apparent. Head, back and neck injuries, in particular, can take months or even years to develop. Failure to protect yourself in the wake of a car accident can result in an inability to collect damages for long-term medical problems, loss of work or medical expenses.

A look at the numbers:

Traffic Accidents: 235,778

Fatal Accidents: 2,372

Traffic Fatalities: 2,563

Injuries: 197,214

Alcohol-related Fatalities: 1,004

Pedestrian Accidents: 8,248 crashes killed 482 pedestrians and injured 7,676.

Bicycle Accidents: 4,774 crashes killed 100 riders and injured 4,376.

Motorcycle Accidents: 8,313 accidents killed 402 riders and injured 7,435.

Understanding the factors that cause an accident can help protect a motorist from being involved in one. These statistics make several important points. First and foremost is the issue of Florida drunk driving accidents, which continue to be responsible for more than one-third of fatal accidents in Florida.

And, while motorcycle accidents declined by 25 percent last year, more than 400 riders were killed on the road, accounting for 1 in every 6 traffic fatalities.

The time of day also played a role. Friday at 4 p.m. was the most dangerous time on Florida roads; a total of 2,921 accidents were reported during the four o'clock hour. Sunday during the midnight hour -- Saturday night, in other words -- was the deadliest time on the road; 33 people were killed in accidents shortly after midnight Saturday.

Continue reading "A Florida car accident occurs every other minute, killing more than 7 motorists per day" »

Florida's fatality rate dropped to the lowest level ever recorded last year as the number of serious and fatal accidents declined in many areas of the state, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The news was not all good: The Cape Coral Breeze reported that Lee County saw an increase in fatal crashes, despite a reduction in the overall number of traffic accidents. The number of car accidents in Fort Myers and the surrounding area declined, from 5,188 in 2008 to 4,916 last year. However the number of fatal accidents increased to 80, from 77 in 2008.

But, overall, the number of fatal car accidents in Florida dropped to 2,563 last year, from the 2,983 deaths reported in 2008. The fatality rate (calculated by the number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled) dropped to 1.3, the lowest rate ever reported. Four decades ago, the fatality rate was 5.8.

As we reported earlier this year on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, many experts attribute the decline to the poor economy, less travel and fewer visitors to South Florida. Accident rates may well increase with an economic recovery.

For now, officials are celebrating.

"While multiple factors influence the numbers, the declining trends are a testament to the emphasis that law enforcement agencies, safety advocates and businesses have placed on saving lives on our roadways," Executive Director Julie Jones said. "DHSMV will continue to work with our safety partners to add to the momentum we have gained in recent years so that we continue to see crashes, deaths and injuries decline in years to come."

-Overall traffic fatalities in Florida decreased for the fourth year in a row.

-Drunk driving fatalities fell by 14 percent to 1,004. Those figures still indicate that Florida drunk driving accidents are responsible for approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities.

-Motorcycle accidents declined by 24 percent, from 532 in 2008 to 402 last year.

-Bicycle accidents fell to an even 100, from the 118 that were reported in 2008.

-Pedestrian accidents declined slightly, from 502 in 2008 to 482 last year.

-Fatal accidents involving teenage drivers fell from 193 to 153.

Continue reading "Number of fatal Florida car accidents reach new low" »

Lee County is debuting a new "Share the Road" sign aimed at reducing bicycle accidents in Cape Coral and Fort Myers.

The signs, called "shared lane markings" or "sharrow" were approved late last year by the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Other communities, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm, are expected to follow as authorities continue to combat the dangers of serious and fatal South Florida bicycle accidents.

The aim of the signs is to alert drivers in areas where bike lanes share the road.

"For anyone who cycles here in Lee County, it's a huge leap in the right direction," bicyclist Dan Moser told The News-Press.

Lee County authorities continue to struggle with high numbers of serious and fatal bicycle accidents; 17 Fort Myers bicycle accidents have been reported through May 26, while 15 Cape Coral bicycle accidents have been reported.

A report last year by BikeWalkLee found 190 cyclists were injured in Lee County in 2007; the motorist was at fault in 80 percent of cases.

Fort Myers will debut the pavement signs along a three-quarter-mile stretch of Gladiolus Boulevard between Hagie Drive and Pine Ridge Road.

Nationwide, 716 people were killed in bicycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 52,000 were seriously injured.

Florida leads the nation in fatal bicycle accidents. A total of 125 fatal bike accidents were reported in Florida in 2008. California was the only other state to report more than 100 fatal accidents -- 109 were reported. Tennessee was third with 53.

Still, the League of American Bicyclists moved Florida up 20 places to number 12 on its list of the most bike-friendly states.

As we reported recently on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, officials in Southeast Florida are preparing to debut a bike-sharing plan aimed at providing rental bicycles to residents and tourists in Broward County and throughout the Fort Lauderdale area.

Continue reading "New signs aim to reduce bicycle accidents in Fort Myers, Cape Coral " »

Broward County's plan to become on of the first in the nation to establish a bike-sharing plan highlights the need for continued efforts aimed at reduce Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents and serious and fatal cycling accidents elsewhere in South Florida.

As we reported last week on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, increasing bicycle safety and awareness is a priority among cycling advocates. Florida is the deadliest state in the nation for bicycle accidents -- 125 of the nation's 716 fatal bicycle accidents occurred in Florida in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The proposal in Broward County would establish a bike-sharing system along beaches and downtowns for easy rentals to tourists and residents, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Such bike "libraries" have been popular in Europe for years but are only now catching on in the United States. The popularity of cycling for recreation and fitness has exploded in recent years. Federal statistics show the average age of a cycling accident victim is also on the rise. Men ages 35 to 41 are now the most likely to be involved in a serious or fatal bicycle accident.

A major bike-sharing program will launch this summer in Miami Beach. Denver and Washington, D.C. are also experimenting with new sharing programs and launches are set to debut in Boston and Minneapolis later this year.

Broward County commissioners will vote this summer on a contract with a bicycle supplier. If an agreement is reached, about 200 bikes would be in place by the end of the year with plans to grow to 500 bikes within five years.

Bikes would be placed in locked racks along the beach and throughout downtowns, probably beginning in Fort Lauderdale and then expanding to Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Hillsboro Beach and Deerfield Beach. Riders sign up for a membership, likely about $45 per year -- weekly, daily and hourly memberships would also be available.

Customers would use their membership card or a credit or debit card to release a bike from the rack. When they are done riding, the bike can be returned to any rack in the system.

The bikes would include computer chips for tracking lost or stolen bicycles and a rider could also go online to view their mileage, the number of calories burned and how much gasoline they saved by riding the bike.

Continue reading "Bike-sharing plan demonstrates need for awareness in avoiding Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents" »

Cyclists are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a law that would require them to remain in unobstructed bicycle lanes whenever possible, the Florida Times Union reported.

Florida bicycle accidents killed 125 riders in 2008, making Florida the deadliest state in the nation for cycling accidents. In fact, 1 in 6 fatal bicycle accidents nationwide occur in Florida. In 2008, 716 bicyclists were killed and 52,000 injured nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

South Florida is among the most dangerous areas in the state. As we reported recently on our South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog, a Cape Coral bicycle accident killed a young boy headed to the park, while a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident injured a 65-year-old man who was struck by a police vehicle.

The proposed law headed to Gov. Crist gives local governments the authority to require bicyclists to remain in bicycle lanes, unless they are littered with glass, debris or other hazards. Cyclists are concerned the law will embolden motorists to act aggressively around cyclists who are not riding in a bike lane.

Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R- Cape Coral, wrote the bill and said cycling groups are overreacting.

The proposed law has a number of other provisions of note to those concerns about traffic safety:

-Allow crash victims to view police reports as soon as they are written.

-Require drivers of vehicles carrying passengers for hire to stop at railroad crossings.

-Permit drivers convicted of a fourth DUI to regain driving rights (current law requires life-time suspension of driving rights for a fourth drunk driving conviction).

Continue reading "Advocates concerned proposed law could increase risk of South Florida bicycle accidents" »

Lee County officials are studying an intersection where a boy was killed in a Cape Coral bicycle accident, the News-Press reported.

The 13-year-old was on his way to a neighborhood park with friends when he was struck while crossing Del Prado Boulevard on a bicycle. He later died at Lee Memorial Hospital.

City traffic engineers are studying the intersection to see if new safety measures are needed. Sometimes the cause of an accident can be faulty streets or intersections, missing or inoperable signs or signals, overgrown vegetation or poor design.

Consulting a Cape Coral injury lawyer can be the best course of action if you believe a road defect caused or contributed to a serious or fatal accident.

An average of 29,500 vehicles a day use the heavily traveled intersection at Del Prado Boulevard and Northeast 3rd Terrace, where the fatal bicycle accident occurred. Witnesses say the boy was on the concrete median when he attempted to cross the southbound lanes and was struck by a Porshe driven by a 19-year-old Bonita Springs resident.

Witnesses say the intersection, which lacks crosswalks, is frequently used by children going to and from Burton Park. A traffic engineer said a crosswalk was not the answer, noting the six-lanes of traffic are not controlled by a traffic signal.

He suggested parents instruct children to cross three blocks north of the park.

A 65-year-old man was badly hurt in a Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident after being struck by a police vehicle on Saturday night at East Las Olas Boulevard and Isle of Venice, the Miami Herald reported.

Las Olas Boulevard has been a particularly dangerous area for bicycle and pedestrian accidents this spring. The SunSentinel reported that police have placed electronic signs on Las Olas, warning drivers to watch for pedestrians after two people were killed in the last month.

Elsewhere in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend:

-A 42-year-old man died from injuries sustained in a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident on Saturday night. He was struck by a Honda on Saturday as he crossed the street in the 1400 block of West Sunrise Boulevard about 8:30 p.m.

The 17-year-old driver fled the scene and was located by authorities a short time later, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

- A Canadian tourist was critically injured on Sunday night on Harbor Drive in Fort Lauderdale after being struck by a 26-year-old Davie man driving a Honda Civic, the SunSentinel reported.

Florida is the most dangerous state in the nation for bicycle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reported that 125 of the nation's 716 bicycle accidents occurred in Florida during 2008.

Only California reports more fatal pedestrian accidents than Florida. In 2008, a total of 490 fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in Florida. Nationwide, 4,378 were reported.