Expert Gainesville Bicycle Accident Attorney

Everyone, whether they’re driving a car or riding a bike, has the right to the road. They also must do everything possible to keep others safe and prevent accidents from happening. Yet, bicycle accidents are unfortunately common in Gainesville, with over 130 collisions in 2023, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Did you suffer injuries in a bicycle accident? You don’t have to spend another second feeling uncertain about your options. Meldon Law offers tireless advocacy to bicycle accident claimants and their loved ones. A Gainesville bicycle accident lawyer can build your case and pursue the settlement you deserve.

We Recommend You File an Injury Claim Right After a Bicycle Accident in Gainesville, FL

With the passage of HB 837, Florida now has a shorter deadline for filing a lawsuit. You now have two years to file your case as opposed to four. This is a short period for gathering evidence, notifying the insurer, and pursuing damages. To give your personal injury lawyer ample time to build a compelling case, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We’re eager to learn your story and start advocating for what you deserve.

Why Entrust Your Case to the Gainesville Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Meldon Law?

We’re not like the other law firms in and around Gainesville. For starters, we have more than 50 years of experience serving injured people in Alachua County. We’ve also recovered millions for traffic accident claimants in Florida, giving them the funds they need to rebuild and move on with their lives.

We intend to support your case by:

• Investigating the accident and gathering evidence
• Identifying the responsible party and proving their liability
• Evaluating your losses and drafting a persuasive demand letter
• Consulting with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists
• Negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial, if necessary

At Meldon Law, we are proud to take bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you will not have to pay anything unless we obtain a settlement or judgment on your behalf. As noted, your first consultation is completely free; you have nothing to lose and never have to pay upfront to learn whether our team is a good fit for your case.

We Use Evidence to Determine Your Bicycle Accident’s Cause

Our personal injury attorneys review the police report from the Gainesville Police Department, accident reconstruction data, and traffic camera footage to learn how accidents happen. Learning how your accident happened allows us to determine fault and liability for your damages. We may learn one or more of the following contributed to your accident:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk or drugged driving
• Failing to yield
• Tailgating
• Not looking before opening a car door (dooring accidents)
• Speeding
• Improper passing

Most bicycle accidents result from driver error. Yet, we may find that a defective bicycle or poorly constructed roadway led to or contributed to your accident. If so, we could hold another party accountable for your losses, such as a product manufacturer or government agency.

We Prove That Negligence Led to Your Gainesville Bicycle Accident

Your lawyer has many obligations during your case’s progression, from complying with the state’s deadlines to gathering evidence. Chief among their tasks involves proving negligence. This requires showing that the driver:

• Had a duty of care: We must show that the responsible party had a duty to drive safely and act in ways that would not result in harm to others. All drivers have this obligation to others who share the road, including cyclists.
• Breached their duty: Next, we must show that the other driver breached their duty of care by acting carelessly or recklessly. For example, if a driver speeds, this would be considered a breach of duty of care.
• Caused your accident: The driver’s breach of duty must have been the direct or proximate cause of the accident and your injuries. This means that you would not have suffered injuries “but for” the driver’s breach.
• Caused you to incur damages: Your accident and injuries resulted in losses, which can include medical bills and lost income.

Sound confusing? Don’t worry. As noted, our Gainesville bicycle crash lawyers have decades of experience. This experience allows us to navigate even the toughest legal issues, all while minimizing the stress you feel.

What Compensation Can Our Lawyers Get You After Your Bicycle Accident in Gainesville, Florida

The losses from a bicycle crash-related injury can add up quickly. You shouldn’t have to pay a dime out of pocket for an accident that someone else caused. Rather, through a settlement or court award, you could receive reimbursement for:

• Medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitative therapy, and ongoing care costs
• Lost income, tips, bonuses, benefits, contracts, and commissions
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, and loss of consortium
• Anything you spent out of pocket on childcare costs or transportation fees

We can’t estimate the value of your losses without first reviewing your case. Yet, our bicycle collision attorneys in Gainesville take many factors into consideration when learning what you’re owed, including the injury’s effect on your life. We encourage you to take a look at some of our previous case results. While the outcomes of these cases may not reflect your own, we hope that they instill confidence in our abilities.

Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Also Advocate for Wrongful Death Claimants

Losing a loved one is never easy. Losing a loved one to a bike accident can feel insurmountable. We offer a shoulder to cry on during this challenging time. We offer comfort while pursuing the cost of your wrongful death-related damages, which may include:

• Funeral, cremation, and burial expenses
• Final medical bills
• Loss of the decedent’s support and services
• Loss of the decedent’s income
• Loss of the decedent’s guidance and support
• Pain and suffering

At our Gainesville, Florida, law firm, we know what it means to lose a loved one in an accident. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process while fighting for justice if a family member died in a bicycle accident. Let us do the legal fighting so you can focus on healing.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Gainesville

The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be terrifying. You might be in shock or in a lot of pain. There are a few things you can do that will allow you to focus and protect your health and right to compensation.

Get Medical Help

The first thing you need to do is get medical care. We recommend that you call 9-1-1 to the scene of the accident. The dispatcher will send the police and paramedics to the scene. The police will create an accident report while the paramedics treat your injuries.

Don’t Apologize for the Accident

Just tell the police what happened. Don’t speculate on what the other driver was doing, and don’t apologize, even if you think you caused or contributed to the accident.

Refuse to Give a Recorded Statement

In the days after the accident, you will likely receive a call from the driver’s insurance company. The adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but they are hoping that you will say something that jeopardizes your case. That could be something as simple as saying, “I’m sorry,” or “I’m OK.”

If the adjuster asks for a recorded statement, decline and send any questions they have our way.

Don’t Accept a Settlement Before Running It By an Attorney

The insurance company may offer a quick settlement before you determine your prognosis. Don’t accept an offer until a bicycle accident lawyer has reviewed it. Chances are, you missed a few damages when you considered your losses. This could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Our team will review the offer and determine whether it covers every dollar you’ve lost.

Call a Lawyer in Gainesville

You don’t need to handle this process alone. A bicycle accident attorney at Meldon Law will handle every aspect of your case while you recover from your injuries.

We Can Help With All Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Our team has helped bicycle accident victims recover compensation for common injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Facial injuries
• Dental injuries
• Internal injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries

Consult a Gainesville Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

At Meldon Law, we help bike riders seek compensation for their injuries and losses in the Gainesville area. We will take on your fight for compensation like it was our own. Our Gainesville legal team is a force to be reckoned with both inside and outside the courtroom. Contact our bicycle accident lawyers today to learn about the advocacy we offer.

Remember, we handle injury cases with no upfront fees. You don’t owe us anything unless and until we recover compensation.