Bicycle Accidents Involving Children

Learning to ride a bicycle is often a rite of passage in a child’s life, meant to give them a sense of independence, as well as a fun new hobby to explore. However, it may also be a dangerous activity, especially if a child is riding their bike near a street where cars drive recklessly. Children struck by a vehicle, or who are involved in another type of bicycle accident, may suffer serious injuries as a result. The Miami bicycle accidents at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon assist families in trying to hold careless drivers and others accountable for the harm that they cause to their children. Our firm represents victims of bicycle accidents involving children throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, including in Miami, and West Palm Beach.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adolescents and young adults who are between the ages of 15 and 19 years old have the highest bicycle-related fatality rates. Additionally, children who are five to 14 years old, as well as adolescents and young adults, make up one-third of all bicycle-related injuries treated in emergency rooms nationwide. Of course, many of these injuries are results of children falling off their bikes and may be minor. However, more serious harm occurs when a vehicle strikes a child on a bicycle. One of the most severe injuries that may occur in these types of accidents is a traumatic brain injury, which is especially dangerous for children who are still developing cognitive functions. One way to reduce the risk of a head injury is to make sure that children are wearing helmets when they ride their bikes. Although Florida law requires bicycle riders under 16 years old to wear helmets, this rule is not always followed. Other injuries that may require significant recovery times and costly medical treatment include deep lacerations, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and road rash.

Often, a driver will blame an inexperienced child for a bicycle accident, even if they were not at fault. Children are expected to follow the rules of the road and exercise due care while riding their bikes, but drivers are also held to the same standard of reasonableness when behind the wheel. A negligent driver who hits a child on a bicycle and causes their injuries should be held liable for the damages that are incurred. Drivers may be found in breach of their duty of reasonable care if they are speeding through a neighborhood, turning in an intersection without paying proper attention, or engaging in other careless behavior that leads to a bicycle accident.

If liability is established, a family may recover damages for the costs of medical care, as well as pain and suffering and any future damages that may be assessed as a result of the child’s injury. In the devastating event that a bicycle accident leads to the loss of a child’s life, parents may file a wrongful death lawsuit against a liable party. Timing is essential in these claims, since personal injury cases must be filed within four years from the date of an injury, and wrongful death actions have a statute of limitations window of two years.

If your child is hurt, concerns about their health and recovery come first, but subsequent considerations should be made regarding the costs of treatment and making sure that a reckless party is properly brought to justice. The Miami attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon offer dedicated and compassionate representation to families going through the aftermath of bicycle accidents involving children. If you have questions regarding your child’s legal options, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your potential claim with a car crash.