But how did you get on the ground? On a busy road. With your bicycle wrecked. And your heart pounding. Here’s what should pop into your mind: How to pay for the medical bills and your wrecked bicycle: Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for cyclists in Fort Lauderdale.
First, let’s retrace your steps. Like many in Ft. Lauderdale and throughout Broward County, you enjoy cycling. It’s good for recreation, exercise and for the pleasure of the outdoors.
Like those cyclists, you never considered yourself to be a future piece of data, like this one reported by the Sun-Sentinel: Between 2010 and 2012, the number of cyclists injured in crashes increased 42 percent in Broward County. Deaths also increased slightly, from 5 in 2010 to 14 in 2012 in Broward County.
According to the newspaper, “at least 57 million people, or approximately 27 percent of the population ages 16 and up,” ride bicycles.
Here’s the hard truth: Your cycling needs clash with those of the motorists sharing the road with you in Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County. You’re out for enjoyment. Drivers are out to get to work. You are focused. Drivers are distracted. They are texting, eating, drinking coffee, applying makeup. Pushing whatever little buttons on their dash will get them to where they want to be, in the least amount of time with the most comfort.
So there you are on the ground, injured. You’ve just received a crash course on personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for bicyclists in Fort Lauderdale and have experienced what everyone has talked about: Motorists on Broward County’s busy roads are playing bumper cars with bicyclists, and the risk to personal safety is a lot more than a few cuts and scrapes from falling.
It’s important you know what to do:
- First, assess whether you need medical attention and get help if you need it, take an ambulance, even if you feel uninjured – things could change once you get home.
- Call the police and file a report
- Obtain the vehicle driver’s insurance information, address, phone number and license plate number
- Get contact information for witnesses as well
- Take photos of the bicycle and the vehicle involved as well as the roadway
- Contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Ft. Lauderdale who understands and can navigate the law for you to ensure you get full coverage for your accident injuries and that your medical bills get paid
Keeping all this in mind, head out and enjoy cycling.
Know the facts. Know your rights.
Read more about bicycle accidents: Click Here
More Bicucle Accident Blog Posts: Click Here
