Miami Reporter & Photographer Escape Injury After Bicycle-Vehicle Accident
News anchor Johnny Archer and photojournalist Shane Walker were cycling on Key Biscayne when they were struck by a vehicle. The pair were near 180 Crandon Blvd around 10:30 a.m., on the island off of downtown Miami, when the accident occurred. The driver stayed at the scene of the accident and the Key Biscayne Fire Rescue responded. The frightening incident turned out well for the cyclists. Both Archer and Walker were treated at the scene and chose not to go to the hospital.
Unfortunately, not as many cyclists and pedestrians are as lucky. Many pedestrian and cyclists are injured or killed in Florida when struck by vehicles. If you were injured in a bicycle-vehicle accident, or you lost a loved one when they were hit by a car, do not hesitate to contact a Miami bicycle accident lawyer at Gerson & Schwartz P.A. (877) 475-2905.
Florida Struggles With Deadly Bicycle Accidents
While riding a bike should be a safe way to commute to work and have fun, Florida has become well known as a dangerous state for cyclists. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) published the results of a study in 2017, which showed Florida had the country’s highest proportion of bicyclist fatalities in 2015. At the time of the study, “A Right to the Road: Understanding & Addressing Bicyclist Safety,” 2015 was the most complete, recent data available.
Florida had a cyclist fatality rate of 7.4 deaths per million residents. The national average was 2.5 per million. California, as a state with twice as many residents, had a rate of 3.3 deaths per million residents. The only other state to come close to Florida’s high rate was Louisiana, which say 7.3 cyclist deaths per million residents.
Cyclist fatalities are not only a problem in Florida, though. According to the GHSA report, these fatalities are on the rise around the country. In 2015, fatalities rose 12.2 percent compared to the year before. This is more than traffic fatalities, which rose 7.2 percent within that time. Since 2011, an average of 55 additional cyclists died on U.S. roads.
What to Do After Losing a Loved One in a Bike Accident
If your loved one was killed in a bicycle-vehicle accident, it can be difficult to think about all of the things there are to do. After losing a spouse, parent, or child, you may be in the position to arrange the funeral and burial. You may be responsible for the probate of their estate. There are many things on your plate, all while you are grieving. It can be difficult to consider a lawsuit during this time, however, speaking with a lawyer is often your best option. When your loved one’s death was due to a driver’s negligence, it is important to learn about your rights and options from an experienced Miami bicycle accident lawyer.
Compensation Through a Wrongful Death Claim
If your loved one’s death was the result of a driver’s careless or reckless behavior, then you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida. If you are the personal representative of your loved one’s estate, you can pursue this legal claim directly. Otherwise, the personal representative must file on behalf of you and the other survivors.
Through a wrongful death claim, the personal representative can pursue compensation for:
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Compensation for the decedent’s pain and suffering during between the time the accident and their death
- Pain and suffering of the survivors
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of services
- Loss of gifts or other valuables
- Loss of parental training and guidance
- Loss of society and companionship
Contact Our Miami Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit and pursuing compensation will not bring your loved one back or ease your grief. However, it can provide the compensation you need to cover expenses related to your loved one’s death. It can provide financial support after losing your spouse or parent’s income. It may be the compensation that keeps you on two feet and enables you to move forward. To learn more about what to do after losing someone in a bicycle accident, call Gerson & Schwartz P.A.’s Miami-Dade County office at (305) 371-6000 to schedule a free consultation.