In late July 2019, a Florida jury granted a 67 year old librarian who was hit by a car while riding her bicycle to work more than $2 million for her injuries and suffering.

Plaintiff Mary M. was riding her bicycle to her job as a part-time librarian on Sanibel Island in Florida on April 4, 2015. According to Mary, she was riding on a bike path at around 9 a.m. when she stopped at an intersection between the bike path and a small street.

She saw the car waiting at a stop sign, and began to ride her bike across the crosswalk. It was at this point that the car pulled forward into the intersection and hit her, she claims.

The accident knocked her off her bike and broke Mary’s hip and her wrist. Both injuries required surgeries, and at least a five day stay in the hospital.

Following her hospital stay, Mary claims that she required home care and used a walker for weeks at her home. Additionally, Mary claims that her hip pain has continued and that she is at risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis due to her injuries. She claims that she may require medical care for the rest of her life.

During the trial, the driver of the car admitted liability and the jury quickly came to a decision. Mary was awarded $2.18 million in her personal injury case, including $108,600 for past medical expenses, $170,000 for future medical expenses, $3,500 in past lost earnings, $950,000 for past pain, suffering and anguish, and $950,000 for future pain and suffering.

Bike Accidents and Personal Injury Cases

According to research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bike accident fatalities account for approximately 2 percent of all traffic accident deaths. 30 percent of bicycle accidents were caused by collisions with motor vehicles.

Bicyclists who are injured due to the negligence of a motor vehicle driver may have several avenues to pursue compensation for their injuries, including insurance coverage or filing a personal injury lawsuit.

For the purpose of insurance, accidents between bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers are considered to be auto accidents. Bike riders who are injured due to accidents with motor vehicles may be entitled to collect damages to cover their hospital bills, lost wages, and other expenses. In hit and run cases, or cases where the auto driver is uninsured, bike riders may be able to use their own auto insurance to cover their costs if they have it.

Bicyclists may also be eligible to take legal action against the driver if they can prove that the driver was negligent. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30 percent of accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles involve one party with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit. Drivers may also be found to be negligent if they were texting, driving aggressively, distracted while driving, or speeding.

If you were injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may qualify to hire an experienced personal injury attorney and file a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your injuries. Victims may be eligible to recover damages for medical expenses, injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other costs.

Mary’s Bicycle Personal Injury Case is Case No: 18-CA-001085, in the Circuit Court of Lee County.