The sudden loss of a loved one in a bike crash can be devastating to you and your family. You might not know where to seek assistance to help you through this challenging time. You probably have many questions and want to know how this terrible accident could have happened and if anyone else is to blame.
Fortunately, a compassionate Tallahassee fatal bicycle accident lawyer understands what you are going through. Our dedicated bike crash attorneys care about our clients and treat them like family. We want to develop a strong, long-term relationship with you so we can guide you through this difficult time.
Possible Defendants After a Fatal Bike Crash
Whenever you lose a loved one through the wrongful, negligent, or reckless actions of someone else, you might have legal grounds to pursue a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the person or people responsible for the accident. If your family member died in a fatal bike accident, more than one party could be at fault.
Driver of a Vehicle
Many fatal bike crashes occur because of negligent or reckless driving. Motorists have a duty of care to drive responsibly and not engage in dangerous behavior, such as speeding, drunk driving, or distracted driving. Motorists should also check their blind spots for bicycles and always be on alert for cyclists, particularly in areas near dedicated bike lanes, parks, or any place with heavy bike traffic.
Municipality or Other Governmental Authority
The city and state have a duty to keep roadways in safe conditions for all users, including cyclists. If the roadway was dangerous, due to potholes, confusing detours, or roadway construction, the municipal authority in charge of maintaining the roads could be responsible for an accident.
Mechanic or Manufacturer
If an accident occurred because a car or bike malfunctioned, the mechanic in charge of any prior repairs could be to blame for failing to fix the necessary parts. Alternatively, if the bicycle had any defective parts, the manufacturer could be at fault.
To succeed in your lawsuit, you need to prove that the other party did something that resulted in the accident. Our seasoned Tallahassee lawyers could carefully review the evidence to search for proof of liability in the deadly bike crash. Our practical skills, knowledge, and years of experience could help build a solid claim for liability.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Possible Recoverable Compensation Available in Wrongful Death Lawsuits After Bike Crashes
If you succeed in your legal claim, a court could order the wrongdoer to pay you financial damages as compensation for your losses. Under state law, you could recover the following types of damages in a wrongful death suit after a fatal bike crash:
- Burial expenses
- Lost wages and lost anticipated lifetime earnings
- Loss of companionship, comfort, and care
- Loss of guidance, particularly for a child who loses a parent
- Loss of support and services
- Pain and suffering of surviving family members
In limited circumstances, you might also be able to recover punitive damages, which are intended to punish particularly egregious acts. To obtain punitive damages, you would need to establish that the person who caused your loved one’s death acted either with gross negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, if someone purposely and maliciously struck your family member with their car, punitive damages might be appropriate. Similarly, if someone drank five beers before getting into their car and striking your loved one, a court could order them to pay punitive damages because of their grossly negligent action of driving drunk.
Our determined Tallahassee attorneys could work with your family to fight for the maximum possible compensation after a fatal bike crash.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
Call a Tallahassee Fatal Bike Accident Attorney for Help
Losing your loved one in a bike crash can be overwhelming. You deserve help.
Call a Tallahassee fatal bicycle accident lawyer to discuss what happened. Although the financial compensation you could recover in a lawsuit cannot bring back your lost family member, it could help you cover the cost of their funeral and burial expenses and provide you with some financial security.
Start Your Free Case Evaluation
