Orlando Wrongful Death Attorney Pursuing Justice for Bicyclists
If your loved one was killed by a reckless, aggressive, drunk, or careless driver, an attorney can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party. While it is obvious that compensation will never make this tragedy disappear, a lawsuit can provide you and your family with the financial means to better get through this time of loss. Compensation for lost wages, lost earning capacity, medical expenses, loss of consortium, and emotional distress, can go a long way in keeping you and your family from financial ruin.
Compiling Damages
Damages in a wrongful death claim can include the following:
- Medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering of the victim;
- Emotional distress of the plaintiff;
- Loss of joy of life for the plaintiff;
- Lost wages of the plaintiff and victim;
- Lost future earnings of the victim;
- Loss of consortium (companionship for a spouse and/or minor children);
- Property damage;
- Funeral and burial expenses; and
- More.
Central Florida Bike Fatality Facts
Central Florida is one of the most dangerous places to ride a bike, with 149 fatalities and 6,575 injury collisions in 2018 alone, according to Click Orlando. According to Orlando Sentinel, the death rate per capita for cyclists is 60 percent higher in Florida than the next most dangerous state. Fast speed limits, wide multi-lane roads, poor driver enforcement, and a lack of cycling road infrastructure are a few of the main problems.
Holding the Negligent Driver Responsible
In order to be compensated, the at-fault party must be found negligent for causing the collision. This involves using evidence at the crash scene, the official accident report created by law enforcement, witnesses, crash scene recreation experts, and other evidence such as camera footage. In many cases, the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company will deny liability, and attempt to pin blame on the deceased victim. It is not uncommon for the driver to not only blame the deceased victim, but to make up facts that fit their (the driver’s) false narrative of what happened.
Police Reports Often Get it Wrong When Bikes are Involved
Deceased victims are always at a disadvantage when it comes to telling their side of the story, and cyclists are at an even greater disadvantage because police often get it wrong. Some officers are unaware of certain laws, such as a cyclist’s right to use a left turn lane to initiate a turn, or to ride in the center of a lane when the shoulder is cluttered with glass or debris. Your attorney needs to fully understand right of way and road use laws for bikes in order to fight back against shoddy accident reports and untrue claims made by the negligent driver and their insurer.
Reach Out to a Compassionate Orlando Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you lost a loved one in a bike collision, we understand what you are going through. We have decades of experience filing wrongful death lawsuits for grieving families in pursuit of justice for their loved ones, and we are here for you in your time of need. While no amount of financial compensation can begin to repair the damages that have been caused to your family, a settlement or lawsuit verdict can offer some small semblance of justice, and can help you provide for your family during this time of grieving. Call Payer Law at 866-930-1238 to schedule a free consultation with an Orlando personal injury attorney today.
Resource:
clickorlando.com/news/2019/11/26/central-florida-cyclists-at-high-risk-for-injury-death-statewide-data-shows/
orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ae-cyclists-deaths-florida-david-whitley-0925-story.html
