He said that as the number of bicyclists on the roads has increased, so has the inconvenience and the hazards of sharing the road with them, particularly on the winding, sloping roads in some parts of Orange and Lake Counties. He was especially upset over a recent incident where he had to avoid striking a large pack of riders and had to leave the road, resulting in a punctured tire.

“I was so mad I could spit,” he said. “They’re sharing the road with cars going 40 miles per hour or more, and they are spread four or five across, and they won’t let cars try to pass.”

Bicycle riders have to obey the rules of the road just as drivers do, but not all bicyclists observe the rules and ride their bikes in a manner that puts others and themselves at risk. Florida laws require bicyclists to come to a full stop at stop signs and ride in single file on streets and highway for their safety. The disregard of some cyclists to observe the rules of the road and the dangerous conditions they create has resulted in Lake County deputies issuing warnings to some cyclists.

“If people don’t start heeding our warnings, then we’ll have to take it to the next step, which will affect their pocketbooks,” said one sergeant in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “We hate to do that, because maybe they don’t realize that what they’re doing is wrong. They’re required to stop at stop signs, use hand signals to show they’re turning and to ride in single file closest to the curb.”

As bicycle ridership has increased, so has the anger of some motorists who have been observed honking, screaming, intimidating and forcing bicyclists off the road, leading to some injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, if a bicyclist is injured or killed by a motorist, they may be able to recover medical expenses and other accident-related costs that are compensable under Florida law.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to aggressive bicyclists or aggressive drivers, Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham may be able to help. He has represented accident victims and their families since 1977 and has the experience and resources to accept cases of any size. If you have questions about the laws that apply to your situation and want to know your options, call Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.

FHP officials said that the FHP is looking for help from the public as no witnesses have yet come forward. “We’re stumped right now on this one,” said officer. “We have found no eyewitnesses and we have no information on the vehicle that took off.”

“We are depending upon the family to tell us what they think she may have been doing at that scene at that time,” he said. “We have no idea how she was struck. We’re trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle. At this point, we’re counting on the public to help us solve this.”

The victim was the mother of six sons and one daughter and had two grandchildren. One anonymous 911 caller said that he was pumping gas at a gas station near the scene of the accident. He said that he saw two cars racing northbound on US1 shortly before the accident occurred. Bicycle accident victims have no protection if they are struck by a vehicle and often suffer very serious injuries that cause their death or have to endure very long and expensive hospital stays.

Medical bills for bicycle accident victims can quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars and victims and their families are put in a terrible position. Orlando bicycle accident lawyer James O. Cunningham has represented bicycle accident victims and their families since 1977 and has the experience and resources to help them recover the financial compensation they deserve from the liable parties. These funds can help pay for expensive medical care, physical rehabilitation, prescription drugs, lost wages and other costs. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a bicycle accident in Central Florida, Call Orlando bicycle accident attorney James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.

A FHP report said that both the Toyota and the bicyclist were eastbound on County Road 450 near Peru Road toward Umatilla just before 7:30 am when the car struck the bicyclist from behind with its right front fender. The FHP said that the accident was still under investigation, but they expect to file yet-undetermined charges against the driver of the Toyota.

Bicyclists obeying the law and moving with traffic are at significantly increased risk for being struck and severely injured or killed as vehicles from behind them traveling at much higher speeds don’t always see them or respect their right of way. Other than an occasional helmet, bicyclists have no protection against being struck by a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds. Bicycle riders struck by motor vehicles are frequently killed or suffer catastrophic injuries such as:

• Head injuries
• Paralysis
• Broken bones
• Compound fractures
• Ruptured internal organs
• Severe back injuries
• Crushed limbs
• And other life-changing injuries

If they survive their injuries, they face medical costs as catastrophic as their injuries. The costs of care, prescription medication, physical rehabilitation, lost wages and other accident-related expenses can quickly climb into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Orlando bicycle accident lawyer James O. Cunningham has been helping Central Florida bike accident victims recover from their misfortune since 1977. When accident victims are least able to look out for themselves, Mr. Cunningham protects their rights, looks out for their best interests and negotiates with large insurance companies so that his clients can focus on recovering. He provides free consultations and explains each client’s options in clear language so that they can make informed decisions on which course of action will be best for them. Call the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham to schedule your free consultation.