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Bike Accidents and Road Rage in Florida: A Very Real Problem

06/30/2022
Bike Accidents
BY

Florida’s warm and tropical climate is very inviting for bicyclists who ride their bikes on area roadways. In Florida, bicyclists have the right to ride on the road like a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, sometimes motorists can become irritated when they are hindered by bicyclists traveling on the roadway ahead of them, especially when the motorist is unable to quickly pass the bicyclist. When a motorist takes out aggression toward a bicyclist, this is known as road rage, or more specifically bike rage. 

If you suffered injuries from a bike accident that occurred because of road rage and have questions about pursuing compensation for your injuries, contact the experienced Florida injury lawyers at Searcy Denney for assistance. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of experience and are trained to help clients recover the compensation they are entitled to for the injuries they sustained in a bike rage accident. We can help you investigate and build your case to recover damages for your injuries.  

What Does It Mean to Experience Bike Rage?

Bike rage is a form of road rage which occurs when drivers of vehicles exhibit wrath and aggression towards bicyclists traveling on the road. Bike rage can be dangerous for bicyclists and can cause them to sustain serious injuries, including in some instances fatalities. Examples of behavior that may rise to the level of bike rage include but are not limited to: 

  • Yelling abusive language at the bicyclist 
  • Honking the horn in an aggressive manner at the bicyclist
  • Intentionally passing too closely towards the bicyclist
  • Throwing items out the window at the bicyclist
  • Making physical contact with the bicyclist, among other aggressive acts.

If you or a loved one was injured by one of these acts, or a similar one, while riding your bike on the Florida roadways, you may be a victim of bike rage. If you have questions about what to do after your bike rage accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for assistance. 

Steps to Take if You Experience Bike Rage

If you suffer from injuries sustained from riding your bike on the road that were caused by another driver’s road rage, there are several steps you should take after the accident such as:

  • Stay Calm and Move to Safety. When a bike accident occurs because of road rage, stress and adrenaline may cause fear and shock to set in, which may compromise judgment. Try to stay calm after the accident and move to safety to prevent additional accidents and injuries from being sustained. Resist the temptation to reciprocate the aggressive behavior or shout back at the road rage driver.   
  • Call Emergency Dispatch and Get Medical Help. When a bike accident occurs on the road, call 9-1-1. You will want to get a police report to document important details of the accident. Additionally, you will want to seek medical attention.  A doctor can help diagnose your medical condition and injuries from the accident. Your medical records may be key evidence in your claim for compensation.
  • Document What Happened. Document important details of the accident such as license plate numbers, names, addresses, and telephone numbers. 
  • Take Photos. If possible, capture relevant images at the accident location, documenting damages and key pieces of evidence. 
  • Notify Your Insurance Carrier of the Accident. If insurance may apply to the accident, contact the applicable insurance carriers to open up a claim.

If you’re a victim of bike rage, contact a Florida auto accident attorney who may be able to help. The attorneys at Searcy Denney have extensive experience working with clients who were injured from bike rage. We help accident victims fight for the compensation they deserve. 

What If a Road Rage Driver Does not Stop After Causing an Accident? 

Unfortunately, with the intensity and aggressiveness of an angry road rage driver, a heated driver may choose to leave the scene of the accident after colliding with a bicyclist.  If this happens, contact law enforcement to document the accident. Sometimes with some investigation, such as checking nearby security cameras, the hit and run driver may be located.  However, in some situations, you may not be able to locate the driver. If you have questions about what your options are when a hit and run driver caused the bike accident you were involved in, contact a Florida auto accident attorney for help.

What Damages Could I Recover in a Bike Accident Caused by Road Rage? 

Although a bike is not a vehicle, bicyclists still have rights on the roadways. If another driver injured you while you were riding your bike on the road, you may have some options to seek compensation for your injuries and damages that occurred, such as:  

  • Medical expenses 
  • Loss of wages
  • Pain and suffering, and
  • Damage to your bike, among other items.

In Florida, bicyclists may be able to file a personal injury protection claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.  In some situations, the bicyclist may also file a claim under their own driver’s liability insurance policy if they have one. An experienced Florida auto accident attorney can help you understand the remedies available to you and help you get the compensation you deserve for your bike accident injuries.

Injured in a Bike Accident and Need Legal Help? Call a Florida Auto Accident Attorney at Searcy Denney Today!

Were you seriously injured in a bike accident caused by bike rage? If so, contact Searcy Denney today. An experienced Florida auto accident attorney at Searcy Denney can help you avoid costly mistakes and deal with the insurance companies in your bike accident case for you. We take care of the legal matters involved in your case so that you can focus on what’s most important – your physical and emotional recovery from your bike accident. 

Call us toll-free at 800-780-8607 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida auto accident attorney. We have offices conveniently located in TampaWest Palm Beach, and Tallahassee.

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