Bicycle Accident Lawyer Kendall, FL
If you were hit by a car while riding your bicycle in Kendall, you are probably dealing with serious injuries, a damaged bike, and missing work to take care of yourself. Our team has been advocating for the recovery of injured victims for more than 15 years. We understand the gravity of the situation and are prepared to offer guidance. We hope that if you or a loved one is in need of legal assistance, that you reach out today for support.
Attorney Andres Lopez has handled personal injury cases in Florida since 2009, including bicycle accident claims across Miami-Dade County. Our Kendall, FL personal injury lawyer represents injured cyclists on a contingency fee, which means that you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Bicycle Accidents in Kendall, FL?
Experience With Florida Bicycle Accident Law
Attorney Andres Lopez has been practicing personal injury law in Florida since 2009, handling bicycle accident cases in Miami-Dade County and across South Florida. He understands how local insurance adjusters approach these claims, what arguments they use to minimize payouts to cyclists, and how Florida’s modified comparative negligence rules can affect the outcome of your case. He is licensed in both Maryland and Florida, and is admitted to the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Florida, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
As a personal injury lawyer in Kendall, FL, Mr. Lopez has seen how quickly insurers move to shift blame onto the rider. We are not afraid to go to trial when a fair settlement hasn’t been offered to our clients.
Results for Injured Clients
Our firm has helped clients across Florida recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Past results include a $1 million recovery in a wrongful death Uber claim and a $345,000 settlement in a slip and fall matter where the initial offer was just $5,000. Every bicycle accident case is different, but the approach is the same. We build the strongest possible case and fight for what the client deserves.
Inducted Into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Attorney Lopez was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction limited to attorneys who have achieved million-dollar results for clients. He was also recognized as a Florida Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2015 and 2016. These recognitions reflect a consistent record that is proven through accolades and acknowledgements.
No Fees Unless We Win
We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, and no hourly billing. If we don’t recover compensation, you don’t owe us anything.
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“This law firm truly cares about its clients. I was nervous about dealing with insurance companies after my accident, but Alex and Andres handled everything with skill and professionalism. They took the time to explain everything to me and always kept me in the loop.” — Nathaly Alvarez
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Kendall
Bicycle accidents happen in many different ways, and the liable party isn’t always the driver who hit you. We handle a range of bicycle injury claims for riders in Kendall and across Miami-Dade County.
- Truck driving accident claims. Truck drivers who fail to yield, run red lights, or pass too closely cause the majority of serious cyclist injuries. We investigate the crash, gather evidence, and pursue the at-fault driver and their insurer.
- Hit-and-run bicycle accidents. When the driver flees the scene, we explore every available avenue for recovery, including your own uninsured motorist coverage. We can discuss with you how we investigate hit-and-run accidents to build your claim for the most compensation possible.
- Dog bites or attacks. A dog running into the road or jumping on a rider can cause serious crashes and injuries. Florida’s strict liability dog bite law applies even when the injury results from a dog causing a bicycle wreck rather than a direct bite.
- Rideshare vehicle collisions. Uber and Lyft drivers who hit cyclists create complicated insurance coverage questions. Our firm has handled rideshare accident claims and understands how coverage layers work in these situations. We can review with you how rideshare insurance operates differently from standard auto policies, and what we can do to pursue payment for your losses.
- Dangerous road condition claims. Potholes, unmarked construction zones, missing signage, and defective bike lane design can make a government entity or property owner liable for your injuries. These claims have specific procedural requirements and shorter notice deadlines.
- Catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries can entail spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, and amputation. These cases require a different approach than standard soft tissue cases. The long-term costs for current and future care can be substantial, and the initial settlement offers may be much less than what our clients need and deserve.
Florida Legal Requirements for Bicycle Accidents
Florida law gives cyclists the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers under Fla. Stat. § 316.2065. Practically, that means you are entitled to use the road, and drivers have a legal obligation to share it with you safely. When a motorist fails to yield, passes too closely, or runs a red light and hits a cyclist, that driver can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule can impact bicycle accident cases. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, if you are found partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault. And if you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover at all. Insurance adjusters know how comparative negligence can be used, and may look for anything that puts blame on the rider. It’s one of the main reasons having an attorney can make a difference for you from the very start.
The deadline to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Florida is two years from the date of the crash under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a). That deadline was reduced from four years in March 2023 as part of Florida’s tort reform legislation. When the deadline gets missed, it almost always means losing the right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how serious the injuries are.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Kendall Bicycle Accident?
The physical injuries cyclists sustain in collisions with motor vehicles are often severe. Riders have no frame or external protection around them, so when coming into contact with a car door, bumper, or pavement, they absorb everything. The damages that result from those injuries can be significant and long-lasting.
Economic damages are the concrete, measurable losses. Examples of this would be medical bills, such as emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments. Other economic damages are wages for the time you missed work, future lost earning capacity if the injury has changed what you’re able to do professionally, and the cost of replacement services if you cannot perform daily tasks during recovery. These are documented, calculable, and form the foundation of most bicycle accident claims.
Non-economic damages are harder to assign a number to, but they are still very real. Economic damages can be pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. Florida law allows injured cyclists to recover for these losses, though insurance companies routinely undervalue them. This is where having an attorney who won’t accept the first offer makes a meaningful difference.
Punitive damages are rare, but they are available in cases where the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly reckless, such as a drunk driver, someone who was street racing, or a driver who fled the scene entirely. Florida courts have discretion to award punitive damages under Fla. Stat. § 768.72 when the evidence supports it.
Furthermore, Florida’s personal injury protection (PIP) coverage applies to cyclists struck by motor vehicles in many circumstances. Your own auto policy’s PIP benefits may cover a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault. We can help you identify every available source of recovery, not just the at-fault driver’s policy.
Contact The Andres Lopez Law Firm
If you or someone in your family was injured in a bicycle crash in Kendall, FL, do not wait to get legal advice. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee. Meaning, there are no upfront costs, and you will not owe any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. When you reach out to us, you will receive a free consultation where we review the facts of your case and explain your options clearly. Please contact us to get started.