South Florida Bicycle Accident Results in $3 Million Jury Award

A Fort Lauderdale landscaping company was sued by the widow of a South Florida doctor, who alleged that their negligence had caused her late husband’s fatal bicycle accident.

Back in August of 2011, the South Florida cyclist was riding his bicycle on a Miramar roadway when he rode into a landscaping truck that was parked on the side of the road.  The physician was traveling at approximately fifteen (15) miles per hour when he collided with the truck, causing fatal injuries to his brain and spine despite wearing a helmet.

Attorneys for the Plaintiff argued that the truck was negligently parked in an area that blocked the bike lane and, because it was located under a tree, the shadows and foliage obscured the doctor’s view of the truck as he quickly approached it.  They also alleged that there was no emergency or other legitimate reason for the truck to be parked there, as the crew was sitting on a nearby lawn eating lunch.  Plaintiff further contended that the Fort Lauderdale landscaping crew failed to put any cones or other warnings behind the truck to alert those coming upon it and didn’t place a cone behind the truck until immediately after the Miramar bike accident.

Attorneys for the Defendant countered that the doctor had already traveled over twenty (20) miles on his bike that day and that he was fatigued and dehydrated, contributing to his inability to recognize the truck.  They also stated that the Fort Lauderdale landscaping crew had properly placed a cone behind the truck after parking it and that the Florida bicycle accident victim had some 500 feet of level roadway as he approached the truck, arguing that he could have seen it at any time had he been paying attention.

Following closing arguments, the jury ultimately found that the South Florida doctor was 70% negligent in causing the collision and awarded Plaintiff $3 million in damages.  In Florida negligence or accident cases, even if a defendant is found at least 1% liable for causing a bicycle accident, car accident or other incident causing injuries, the Florida plaintiff is still entitled to compensation relative to the amount of that defendant’s negligence.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident, or any other type of accident in the areas of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Weston, Hollywood or others, it is imperative that you consult with a skilled, experienced Fort Lauderdale injury attorney, to make sure that your best interests are competently represented.

For more information, please contact The Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300 or at info@schulaw.com.