Orlando Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
You were hit by a car. Without the framing of a passenger vehicle to protect you, the injuries you’ve suffered are severe. You’re in pain, medical bills are piling up, and you can’t work.
You’re going to need to hire the best accident lawyers you can find to help you recover for your losses.
Hire our experienced bicycle and pedestrian accident attorneys at Todd E. Copeland & Associates in Orlando, and we’ll fight to make things right.
Florida Leads the Nation in Bicyclist Fatalities
As of 2021, Florida had the highest rate of bicyclists killed per capita in the U.S. Additionally, Florida secured a top spot for pedestrian fatalities in 2022. Currently, the NHTSA’s bicycle safety program focuses on the research, education, and enforcement of bicyclists’ and motorists’ behavior to enhance roadway safety and reduce bicycle injuries and fatalities across the nation. In the meantime, both State and Federal agencies encourage all who share the road to take extra precautions to ensure safe travel for all.
By law, bicycles operated on Orlando streets and highways are legitimate road vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. Unfortunately, bicycles and pedestrians do not always mix well with cars and trucks on the state’s busy roadways. Even with a bicyclist having the same rights as the driver of a car, truck or motorcycle, they do not have the same level of protection. In fact, most safety gear for the cyclist was designed to protect the rider in the event of a routine fall with no other vehicles involved.
Although safety measures are essential in reducing the rate of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Florida, measures must also exist for injured victims suffering in the wake of a collision. Often, this relief is found in the realm of personal injury law, where accident victims can recover compensation for the financial and emotional fallout from sustaining injuries.
The personal injury attorneys at Todd E. Copeland & Associates are proud to serve bicycle and pedestrian accident victims in all the Central Florida communities surrounding the Orlando Metro area, helping victims seek justice after a life-changing injury.
Client Testimonials
I am so incredibly pleased with the level of service provided by Mr. Copeland and his team. I worked directly with Jennifer and Mr. Copeland. They were so pleasant and always kept me up to date on everything that was going on with my case. Extremely professional, but very friendly and personable. Never rushed me and always made themselves available for any questions we had. I would recommend them 100%.
I retained Todd E. Copeland and Associates working directly with Atty. Keith Robertson and Paralegal Rallda A. Their levels of professionalism and responsiveness meant the most to me during my experience with them. Keith was honest and set realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of my personal injury case. Rallda was very sincere and kept up with my progress and recovery from my injuries. It mattered. Although the settlement terms were quite small due to policy limits. They did their best for me and if even in this situation again (God forbid) I would use this firm again HANDS DOWN!
Great experience with Todd Copeland Team, always available if I had any questions or concerns about my car accident case. I was out of work for a couple of weeks and had no transportation, Mr. Copeland and his paralegal Rallda drove to my house on a Saturday evening, I was amazed at the service provided. I resolved my case and very pleased with the outcome. I appreciate everything they did for me.
Orlando personal injury attorney Todd Copeland is the Founder and Managing Partner of Todd E. Copeland & Associates, P.A. He is a former President of the Florida Justice Association, a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen and uphold Florida’s civil justice system and protect the rights of its citizens and consumers. With over 30 years of experience in Florida personal injury law, Todd is committed to helping injured victims in our community recover maximum compensation for the losses they’ve endured.
Education: JD – Mercer University – Walter F. George Law School, 1992
Experience: More than 30 years
Bar & Court Admissions: Florida Bar
Southern District of Florida
Middle District of Florida
Northern District of Florida
338 North Magnolia Avenue Suite B
Orlando, FL 32801
- Local: (407) 999-8995
Common Causes of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in Orlando
Our state’s weather makes the Orlando area an ideal place for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic. However, this uptick in traffic causes Florida to be a leading state in bicycle and pedestrian accident cases.
At Todd E. Copeland and Associates, we represent bicycle riders and pedestrians injured due to someone else’s:
Lack of Attention
Drivers may be distracted by passengers, music, cell phones, or other things that take their attention away from pedestrians and cyclists on the roadway.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving while intoxicated reduces a driver’s ability to react to pedestrians or cyclists in the vehicle’s path. Additionally, intoxication may cause drivers to swerve onto sidewalks or into bike lanes, causing a collision.
Illegal Turn
Drivers ignoring traffic regulations by making prohibited maneuvers, such as illegal turns, pose a grave hazard to law-abiding pedestrians or bicyclists, who may be crossing the road within their rights.
Improper Use of Lanes
When vehicles encroach on bike lanes or pedestrian walkways, rather than staying in the designated lane, deadly accidents can occur.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
By failing to give priority to pedestrians or bicyclists, drivers jeopardize the safety of those on the road, often leading to avoidable collisions.
Excessive Speed
Motorists traveling at excessive speeds risk being unable to halt their vehicles promptly, increasing the likelihood of collisions with pedestrians or bicyclists sharing the road.
Faulty Road Design
Roads with inadequate pedestrian or bicycling infrastructure increase the risk of accidents due to poor layout or visibility.
How Much Can We Help You Recover for Your Injuries?
Accidents can happen in a matter of seconds, leaving you with a lifetime of unexpected expenses. To obtain fair recovery for your outstanding medical bills, loss of current and future income, out-of-pocket expenses, rehabilitation, property damage, and pain and suffering, your lawyer will need to accurately document and quantify your damages.
At Todd E. Copeland & Associates, we carefully review the totality of your injuries, the treatments they require, and other losses to calculate the true cost of your accident. Then, we leverage our negotiation skills to secure you a settlement that reflects the impact your injuries had on your life.
In bicycle and pedestrian accident cases, damages fall into three categories:
Bicycle accidents can result in financial losses, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages due to inability to work, property damage, and other financial burdens. These damages are quantifiable and aim to compensate victims for their measurable financial losses.
Beyond the tangible financial losses, bicycle accidents can inflict non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and sometimes loss of consortium. These damages aim to compensate victims for the intangible harms they endure due to the accident.
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, Florida law allows for punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future. These damages are awarded in addition to economic and non-economic damages and serve as a form of civil punishment. Punitive damages are typically limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded to the plaintiff or $500,000, whichever is greater.
Following an accident, it is not uncommon for the at-fault’s insurance carrier to attempt a quick settlement. Since such offers are typically too low and often do not include a projection for ongoing expenses, it is in your best interest to avoid speaking with an adjuster without having your attorney present. If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident with a motor vehicle, contact our Orlando bicycle accidents attorney to discuss your case and determine the best course of action to seek restitution for your losses.
- Get the Most for Your Accident Case. Call (407) 999-8995.
What Laws Govern Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents?
Determining who is liable for payment of a bicycle accident claim in Florida is often more difficult than deciding who was at fault or what actually caused the collision. In other words, the “At-Fault” party’s insurance company may not be responsible for the damages incurred.
Since state laws mandate PIP (personal injury protection) coverage for everyone who owns a vehicle, in most cases the injured pedestrian or cyclist is required to file a claim for compensation of accident injuries through his or her own insurance policy.
However, exceptions apply. For example, if the injured party does not own or operate a registered vehicle in Florida, the victim will need to seek compensation from another source. Both pedestrians and bicycle riders may be entitled to file a claim under the at-fault’s insurance policy. The driver’s PDL (property damage liability) coverage may be appropriate when seeking restitution for medical expenses and other damages.
What Are the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Safety Plans?
Historically, the state has implemented several strategies to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety:
- Complete Streets Policies: Florida has adopted Complete Streets policies aimed at designing roadways to accommodate all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plans: The state has developed action plans targeting pedestrian and bicycle safety, which include measures such as infrastructure improvements, education campaigns, and enforcement efforts.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Florida has invested in infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, including the construction of sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and other facilities.
- Education and Outreach Programs: The state has conducted educational campaigns to raise awareness about pedestrian and bicycle safety issues and promote safe behaviors among both pedestrians and motorists.
- Law Enforcement Efforts: Florida has collaborated with law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic laws related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, such as speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Florida has focused on collecting and analyzing data on pedestrian and bicycle crashes to identify high-risk areas and prioritize safety improvements.
In addition to the above measures, the state has fostered partnerships and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, advocacy groups, community organizations, and the private sector, to address pedestrian and bicycle safety comprehensively.
Orlando personal injury attorney Todd Copeland is the Founder and Managing Partner of Todd E. Copeland & Associates, P.A. He is currently the Vice President of the Florida Justice Association, a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen and uphold Florida’s civil justice system and protect the rights of its citizens and consumers. With over 30 years of experience in Florida personal injury law, Todd is committed to helping injured victims in our community recover maximum compensation for the losses they’ve endured.
Education: JD – Mercer University – Walter F. George Law School, 1992
Experience: More than 30 years
Bar & Court Admissions: The Florida Bar, Florida Justice Association
338 North Magnolia Avenue Suite B
Orlando, FL 32801
- Local: (407) 999-8995