NOKOMIS, FL – A 65-year-old man riding a bicycle was sent to a hospital for critical, life-threatening injuries after he was hit by a vehicle on Monday.
This crash happened on U.S. 41 at Laurel Road East, according to My SunCoast. Officials said the cyclist attempted to cross amid oncoming traffic and was hit by a sedan traveling in the left lane.
There has been no official word on any charges or citations.
CLEARWATER, FL – A bicyclist is listed in critical condition at Bayfront Health in St. Petersburg after he was hit by a vehicle Wednesday.
This crash happened before 7 p.m. on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, according to FOX 13 News. Officials said the cyclist did not use cross using the crosswalk.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
On Thursday morning, a car struck and killed a 15-year-old cyclist close to Thompson Avenue and Kitten Trail in Hudson, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred near Hudson High School shortly after 6:30 a.m.
According to troopers, a 31-year-old Hudson man was driving eastbound on Kitten Trail in a Dodge Charger when he collided with the rear of the bicycle. The motorist apparently failed to notice the teen boy because it was dark outside.
According to officials, the teenager was brought to a nearby hospital where he eventually passed away from his injuries.
This is the second accident with a week that has involved a teen bicyclist in the Tampa Bay area.
Last week, a 15-year-old boy was struck by a school bus while riding his bike near Pipkin Road in Lakeland just before 7 a.m.
The Central Florida Aerospace Academy student was taken to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.
These two incidents reinforce the need for parents and caregivers to talk to their teens about bike safety. Here are a few tips from our Tampa Bay Area Bicycle Accident Injury and Death Lawyers about bicycle safety for everyone.
Turn left: Hold your arm straight out to the left and ride forward at a leisurely pace after looking behind you.
Stop: After looking behind you, make an upside-down “L” shape with your arm pointed downward and bend your elbow to stop.
Right turn: Check your blind spots and then steadily accelerate ahead while bending your elbow and raising your arm in a “L” form. (Alternatively, extend your right arm straight from your side body.) Continue reading
PLANT CITY, FL – A bicyclist was killed Saturday after they were struck by a hit-and-run driver in Plant City.
Officers say the cyclist was hit shortly after 2 a.m. while riding on North Park Road near East Sam Allen Road, according to Fox 13 News.
Plant City Police told the source that a witness, along with the truck’s driver, initially got out of their vehicles. The witness called 911, and then the suspect fled. A second person at the scene was able to get the suspect’s license plate number as he sped away.
EAST TAMPA, FL – The hit-and-run driver responsible for hitting a cyclist (who succumbed to fatal injuries) last Tuesday, on October 24, in the College Hills neighborhood has turned herself in.
Tampa Police told FOX 13 News that they arrested 28-year-old Dameisha Tyana Cesar and booked her into the Orient Road Jail on Friday, October 27th.
Cesar has been charged with driving without a valid driver’s license and leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in death. Her driver’s license was suspended in June of 2013 and then again, a couple of times, in 2015.
EAST TAMPA, FL – Police confirmed that it was 57-year-old Darrell Lawson who lost his life when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike.
This collision occurred after 8:15 p.m. Tuesday in the area of East 21st Avenue. Lawson succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene despite the life-saving measures conducted on him.
Police have yet to locate the hit-and-run suspect. Although they do believe the suspect drove a light blue, gray, or silver sedan and was last seen on East 21st Avenue.
TAMPA, FL – A hit-and-run collision near Palmetto Beach claimed the life of a cyclist early Monday, according to Tampa Police.
Investigators say the victim was riding a blue Huffy bicycle south on the shoulder of Causeway Boulevard at the Licata Bridge sometime after midnight when he was hit by a Honda Civic.
First responders discovered the adult male cyclist dead at the scene at about 6:50 a.m. His identity is being withheld pending further investigation.
SARASOTA, FL – A Mercedes driver was arrested after he was responsible for fatally striking a cyclist and then leaving the scene near the John Ringling Causeway Friday night.
Sarasota Police told My Sun Coast that the suspect was identified as Timothy Bixler. Police said they pulled him over when they noticed his vehicle consistent with damage sustained in a reported hit-and-run crash near the scene. They said he was not wearing a right sock or shoe, which was later found at the site.
Police conducted a breath test on Bixler, “but not a blood test.” Bixler will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in another person’s death.
To help increase traffic safety, the city of Tampa is announcing new “quick build” initiatives, which includes new bike lanes.
Ybor City’s Avenida de Cuba (14th Street) now has bike lanes and parking. They are a component of Tampa’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to end traffic fatalities.
These new bike lanes extend through Columbus Drive to Lake Avenue in the V.M. Ybor Neighborhood, which has historically been a dangerous area.
Cyclists in the area are praising the new bike lanes, stating that anyone can use them comfortably, no matter your age or if you are biking to work, a sports cyclist, a young child getting some exercise, or even those riding scooters.
The city is funding these renovations with grant money from the US Department of Transportation’s new Safe Streets For All program, which was given to the city earlier this year.
Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) shows that in 2022 Hillsborough County saw 305 bicycle accidents, resulting in 14 deaths and 271 injuries. In Pinellas County for the same year, 388 bicycle crashes were reported resulting in 9 deaths and 374 injuries.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Collision in Tampa?
Following a bike accident, you must first assess any physical injuries you may have received and seek necessary medical care. After that, get in touch with our Tampa Bicycle Accident Attorneys Whittel & Melton so that our experienced personal injury attorneys can guide you through the next steps. In Florida, your medical costs and lost wages should be covered by personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. We can explain more about your coverage options when you contact us for a free consultation. To properly submit a claim, we will need detailed records of the incident, including the following information:
An accident involving a bicycle might have many causes. The most frequent reasons for bicycle accidents are inattentive driving, wayward turns, dooring, crashes in driveways, bad weather, and intoxicated driving. Continue reading
A man riding a bicycle Monday morning was hit and killed by a vehicle in Largo, according to police reports.
The vehicle vs. bike accident occurred just before 6 a.m. on Starkey Road and East Bay Drive. Police pronounced the biker dead at the scene.
The Largo Police Departments Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the crash site and is currently conducting an investigation into the tragedy.
Police did release that they believe the man’s bicycle had no tail light and that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. The driver of the vehicle did remain at the crash site, so it will be determined once a full investigation is conducted whether or not the driver will face any charges.
No one ever expects to be involved in a bicycle crash or even a pedestrian accident. The aftermath of these serious accidents can affect victims and their families for a long time. If you survive a crash like these, you may find that the physical and emotional recovery process is a lengthy one and you may be unable to enjoy your life in the same ways as you did before the accident. On top of this, you might be struggling to keep up with your medical bills due to not being able to work. Our Tampa Bay Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are leaders in the field of pedestrian and bicycle law and are advocates for cyclists throughout the state of Florida.
We know that now more than ever bikes have become a very popular year-round mode of transportation for residents and visitors alike in Florida. We also know that regardless of how careful pedestrians and bicyclists are, they can easily become the victims of a crash caused by negligent motorists. That is why we remain committed to protecting the rights of bikers and pedestrians throughout the Tampa Bay area.
We have seen all kinds of accidents in our years of work protecting the rights of injured bicyclists and pedestrians. We know how even the safest of bikers and pedestrians can have encounters with angry drivers who have struck them intentionally, opened their doors in their paths, or even passing too closely or driving too closely. Serious and fatal accidents can happen even in communities that have bike lanes that are in place to protect bikers and provide them with more visibility to drivers.
Florida law is clear when it comes to pedestrian and bike laws: bicyclists have the same rights to use the roads as drivers of motor vehicles. The law also provides that drivers of motor vehicles are to exercise caution when sharing the roads with pedestrians and bikers to avoid hitting them. Sadly, despite laws protecting bikers and pedestrians, many unnecessary injuries and deaths occur every year because of distracted or inattentive drivers.
Can I Be Found Responsible for My Own Bicycle Crash?
As we mentioned before, bikers have rights when they are out on the roads in Tampa Bay and elsewhere in Florida. On that some note, cyclists also have legal responsibilities they must abide by just like drivers of motor vehicles. So to answer this question, yes, bikers can be held partially liable for causing an accident that resulted in their injuries. This is known as contributory negligence, and means that the biker in question may have contributed to their own crash in some way. While a police officer may write up an accident report naming you partially at fault, or an insurance adjuster working on your accident claim may make this determination, this does not mean that you are actually at fault. It is important to work with a injury attorney after your accident so that they can advocate on your behalf and make sure your rights and responsibilities are fully protected.
Bicyclists and pedestrians alike are usually left to suffer serious injuries that can last extended periods of time. Medical bills can be overwhelming and they may be unable to get back to work right away. Our Tampa Bay Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you build a strong case in order to recover the financial compensation you need and deserve following a serious bicycle or pedestrian accident.
We fully understand that many residents of Tampa choose to cycle or walk to work or even engage in these activities daily for their health or to participate in recreation activities with their families. If you’ve been injured by a careless driver, you deserve to have experienced legal representation to uphold the laws that make our roads accessible to all.
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