In the middle of summer, West Palm Beach bicycle accidents have increased since 2020. Just in the first half of 2022, there have been over 200 bicycle crashes in the Palm Beach County area, halfway to meeting 2021’s report of 423 bicycle crashes*. With more cyclists on the road during the summertime, the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) is trying to make roads safer.
Culprits of West Palm Beach Bicycle Accidents
Poor road design is one of the main culprits in increasing bicycle accidents. The TPA has been addressing the poor road design in the West Palm Beach area as not being bicycle-friendly, especially in locations where cycling is popular. Many cyclists like to ride along roads near the water, like A1A, but these roads do not have a bike lane for cyclists.
Senate Bill 950, which was passed in July 2021, addressed the issues relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety. The main points in this bill are:
- Identifying when and how a vehicle can overtake a bicycle in a safe manner
- Requiring the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be aware of the proper way vehicles can overtake bicycles
- Drivers can pass bicycles safely in a no-passing zone
- Drivers making a right turn can only do so when the cyclist is 20 feet from the intersection
Drivers not paying attention to bicycle riders is another culprit for increasing Florida bicycle accidents. With Senate Bill 950 passing, the hope was that West Palm Beach bicycle accidents would decrease, but so far in 2022, that is not the case.
Cyclists have no protection besides a helmet to protect them from crashes, so injuries are normally more severe. It is important for drivers to obey speed limits, doublecheck for bicyclists, and follow traffic laws. Traffic safety is meant to protect everyone on the road from potential accidents.
The West Palm Beach Bicycle Master Plan is a plan to increase the safety of bicyclists on the roads. This includes making bike lanes more noticeable, adding more bike lanes on popular bike roads, and creating buffers between cars and bike lanes.
Victims of West Palm Beach Bicycle Accidents
Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys understand that the number of bicycle accidents is increasing and that these victims need the proper representation! Bicycle crashes resulting in severe damages need to be handled correctly. After an accident, contacting the police and an emergency vehicle should be done first. The police report will be key in showing the negligence of the driver at fault for the accident. It will list the driver’s improper traffic violations that caused the accident.
Seeking medical treatment after a West Palm Beach bicycle accident will ensure that the injuries you suffer will be treated properly. Common injuries cyclists can experience after a crash are road rash, broken bones, lacerations, and internal injuries. Internal injuries can be difficult to identify yourself, which is why seeing a medical professional is important. Contacting one of our West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorneys will help you collect proper compensation from the at-fault party.
* Source: Florida Crash Dashboard
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.