Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Jacksonville and Nearby Areas of Florida
Our Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyers are committed to getting maximum compensation for injured cyclists. Relentless in our pursuit of justice, we will fight for every penny you are due.
Florida is among the most dangerous states for bicyclists. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 8,418 bicycle accidents in Florida in 2023, of which 7,904 resulted in injuries. In Duval County during this same period, there were 314 bicycle accidents. Of those 314, 300 resulted in injuries.
Tragically, serious injury is not the only risk faced by cyclists involved in accidents. According to a report by News4Jax, Florida leads the nation in bicycle deaths, with officials reporting around 18 bike accident-related deaths each day. In 2023, five of those deaths occurred in or around Jacksonville.
We Fight for Injured Cyclists
The Jacksonville bike accident attorneys at our firm have experience assisting cyclists with all types of accidents, including those caused by:
- The drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs
- The drivers of commercial vehicles and semi-trucks
- Uncontrolled pets, such as loose dogs
- Dangerous roads, including poor signage or inadequate maintenance
- Defective bicycle parts like frames or wheels
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We also assist with injuries caused by harassing behavior such as:
- News4Jax
- Violating Florida’s Three-Foot Law
Bike accidents often result in financial losses including medical expenses and an inability to work. They can also cause physical pain, emotional distress, and forced changes to your lifestyle. These things must be considered when seeking compensation for your bicycle accident injuries.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we help injured cyclists get back on their feet—and back in the saddle.
Our Jacksonville Bicycle Accident Lawyers Get Real Justice and Real Results
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in a biking accident? The Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyers at our firm want to hear your story. Call us at 904-758-1111 to schedule your FREE and confidential consultation today.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers has a long and proud history of helping victims of bicycle accident injuries get justice. We will assess your case—free of both cost and commitment—to help you understand your options and determine how to best seek the compensation you are due.
Primary Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a busy place. With a base population of close to 1 million people, our city also sees a high amount of tourist and out-of-town traffic. People navigating roads they are unfamiliar with may be more prone to behaviors—such as distraction and rubbernecking—that place cyclists at risk.
Leading causes of biking accidents include:
- Reckless Maneuvering. Reckless driving behaviors—including abrupt lane changes and cutting a cyclist off—are major risk factors for bicyclists.
- Aggressive Driving. Tailgating a cyclist, intentionally opening a door into an oncoming bike (“dooring”), and similarly violent and aggressive behaviors from motorists place cyclists at extreme risk.
- Inattention/Distracted Driving. Distraction, which includes texting, talking on the phone, and even the use of on-board electronic devices, increases accident risks. From drifting into a bike lane to running directly into a stopped cyclist, there are countless ways inattention can cause serious injury.
- Failure to Recognize Right of Way. When cars fail to yield to cyclists or attempt to “beat” them through an intersection, the risk of a serious accident increases exponentially.
- Speeding/Ignoring Road Signs. When drivers fail to honor the speed limit or follow traffic signs and signals, it not only increases the risk of an accident, but also the risk of severe or fatal injuries.
- Intoxicated Driving. Drunk and drugged driving impact reaction times and judgment, which pose risks on their own, but intoxicated driving also causes dangerous driving behaviors that place everyone on the road at risk for serious injury.
- Poor Road Conditions. Uneven pavement, potholes, and debris can all pose serious risks for cyclists.
- Bicycle Defects. Faulty brakes, defective tires, or other manufacturing defects can lead to accidents, making product liability a potential factor in your case.
The city of Jacksonville continues to make strides to protect cyclists from motor vehicles. The city’s on-street bikeways and trails network includes 898 miles of “existing, funded, and planned bike lanes, buffered bike lanes, protected bike lanes, shared lanes, and shared-use paths.” However, even these steps cannot always protect cyclists from the drivers of larger vehicles. When you are injured by a negligent driver, having a Jacksonville bike accident lawyer on your side can help ensure all contributing factors are uncovered and each liable party is held responsible.
Common Jacksonville Bicycle Accident Injuries
Injuries our Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyers frequently see include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Facial Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Internal Organ Damage
Some of these injuries may sound minor. Some may even seem minor when they happen. However, complications from undiagnosed injuries or from injuries that are more serious than they initially appear can be deadly. Even if your injuries seem minor after a bicycle accident, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor. Internal organ damage, TBI, and even some instances of SCI can take days or even weeks to manifest symptoms—at which point treatment may be too late.
Many of the injuries sustained in cycling accidents will require both immediate and ongoing medical care. Rehabilitation may be necessary, during which working might prove impossible, and full recovery is never guaranteed. Add to this the emotional pain and physical discomfort serious injury can cause, and you have the perfect recipe for struggle. You should not be forced to deal with this alone.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we understand the full impact bike accident injuries can have. Our Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyers are here to listen to how your injury has and may continue to impact your life, and to help you determine how best to seek the compensation you deserve.
Bicycle Safety Gear: How to Reduce the Risk of Serious Injury
Wearing bicycle safety gear can reduce the risk of severe injuries when you’re involved in a bike accident. This can include:
- Helmets: Protect against TBI and skull fractures
- Reflective Clothing: Enhance visibility to drivers—especially at night
- Padded Gloves: Protect hands during falls and improve grip
- Elbow and Knee Pads: Minimize joint injury risks
- Proper Footwear: Closed-toe shoes provide better control and protection
It is also a good idea to equip your bicycle with reflectors and rear and front lights to help improve visibility to motorists. Lights are required for bicycling after dark in Jacksonville.
Florida’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Focused Initiative has several tips for cyclists and drivers that can help improve the safety of everyone on the road. It is important to remember, however, that even the safest cyclists cannot always protect themselves from the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
Bicycles are treated like motor vehicles in Florida and must abide by all traffic laws, obey signs and signals, and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Following Florida’s rules for cyclists can help to reduce your risk of being involved in an accident and improve the strength of your case in the tragic event that you are struck by a vehicle.
– you are in good hands!
How Is Negligence Established Following a Bicycle Accident?
Establishing liability is essential when pursuing compensation through legal action. The negligent party—or their insurance—will be liable for the damages they have caused. When liability is not properly established, victims may not be able to recover the total compensation they are due.
To uncover negligence, your Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyer will need to investigate the accident. This may include reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, reviewing video and photographic evidence, and working with accident reconstruction experts to find all underlying causes. Multiple factors can contribute to biking accidents. Identifying each helps to ensure all liable parties are held accountable.
The bicycle accident injury claims process will involve a period during which attorneys from all parties exchange information and depose witnesses. During this phase, additional information about liability may come out as well. At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience conducting these investigations. We will carefully guide you through the process, protecting your best interests, and fighting for your rights each step of the way.
Comparative Negligence and Bicycle Accidents in Jacksonville
Under Florida’s modified comparative fault rule, if you are less than 50% liable for a cycling accident, you can seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit. If you are more than 50% liable for an accident, you cannot.
Even when you contribute to a bicycle accident in Jacksonville, you may still be able to collect compensation for your injuries. However, your compensation will be reduced by whatever amount you are found at fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found 20% liable, your actual damages would be $80,000. During your complimentary case review with one of the attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we will discuss establishing liability and other factors that will play a role in calculating your damages.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Bike Accident in Jacksonville?
If you are seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you can seek dollar-for-dollar compensation for economic damages such as:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Long-term rehabilitation and therapy
- Wages lost during recovery
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
If your injury requires home modifications—like ramps or handrails—those will be included in your damages. So too would any adaptive equipment, such as walkers or wheelchairs, and all other tangible losses your injury has and will cause.
In Florida, you can also seek non-economic damages to compensate for intangible but no less real concerns such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Forced changes to lifestyle
While there is no cap on these damages, establishing their worth requires demonstrating how your injury has and will continue to impact your daily work, family, and social life. Our lawyers care deeply about each of our clients. We will truly listen, take time to understand, and ensure the case we build on your behalf is fully representative of your experiences.
While rarely awarded, if your injuries are caused by someone acting aggressively, intentionally, or with wonton recklessness, you may also be awarded punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are capped at $500,000 or three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
You have two years from the date your injury was discovered to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. Under most circumstances, that’s two years from the actual date of your accident, but there are some exceptions. However, even with exceptions, acting quickly after an accident is important for evidence preservation and may help your attorney in building your case.
Choose Real Justice. Choose Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we take your case personally. Our Jacksonville bicycle accident lawyers are experienced, dedicated, and tireless in their advocacy for injured cyclists.
Clients choose our firm for our:
- Proven Track Record. We have secured millions in verdicts and settlements, taking on the nation’s largest insurers and corporations to help our clients get maximum compensation.
- Personalized Attention. When you choose us, you select a law firm that views you as an individual who deserves justice.
- No Upfront Fees. We work on a contingency fee basis. You only pay for our services after we have secured a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
- Experienced and Aggressive Representation. The award-winning attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers are seasoned in settlement negotiations. We are also proven litigators who can represent you in court if your claim goes to trial.
We take a no-nonsense approach to bicycle accident claims, getting to work right away to establish liability and build the strongest case possible. You don’t have to face insurance companies alone. We are here to take your case, shield you against unfair settlement offers, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Jacksonville Bicycle Accident Lawyer for FREE
Have you been injured in a cycling accident? Don’t wait to seek help. Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers online or by calling 904-758-1111 to schedule your FREE case review today. Our Jacksonville bike accident lawyers are here to listen to your claim and help you understand your options. We help injured cyclists in Plantation, Fruit Cove, Nocatee, and all nearby areas of Florida.