In Hollywood and in South Florida, it’s not unusual to see rental bikes by companies such as Uber, Citi, and other players in the market. For tourists, rental bikes are an inexpensive and pleasant way to see the beauty of South Florida without having to rent a car. They can also potentially help reduce car exhaust and offer a workout for users.
Unfortunately, due to the number of rental bikes offered in the area, some problems can occur:
- Rental bikes are often rented without helmets, putting those who are riding them at risk if riders don’t bring their own helmets
- Tourists on rental bikes may not know local rules of the road or local hazards, meaning they may be a risk on the road
- Additional bikes on the road can increase congestion and problems
- The vehicles transporting bikes to their rental stations are large and unwieldy, creating an additional hazard for locals
- Some bikes are not returned correctly, and they can obstruct traffic or pedestrian areas
- Some bikes may become damaged or may not be correctly maintained, making them unsafe
- Hollywood and much of Florida was designed for car traffic, meaning streets are not always ready for a big influx of bikes
Have You Been Injured?
If you have been injured in a car accident involving a rental bike and a tourist, you may be concerned about getting fair compensation for your injuries. Similarly, if you are a tourist who has been injured in a car accident while riding a rental bike, you may wonder what your options are.
Since there is a large rental company involved, there may be commercial insurance which can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, and other damages. However, it is important to speak to a Hollywood bicycle accident attorney right away.
An attorney can help find all liable parties and can research your accident to find out whether negligence played a role. Whether the bikes were incorrectly maintained or whether they were dangerous in design or whether someone was negligent when operating them, you may have a claim.
Seeking Compensation
It’s important to seek compensation if you have been injured. A bicycle accident in Hollywood in South Florida can be extremely costly. Whether you have suffered head trauma, a fracture, soft tissue injuries, or any other injuries, you may have to lose weeks or months of work and wages. Your vacation may be ruined and you may run up considerable hospital bills and medical expenses in South Florida. You may then have to incur further medical bills if you are tourist and need to return and get re-evaluated at home. Rehabilitation can take months or even longer and can affect future income. Unless you seek fair compensation, you may end up paying many of these costs out of pocket, and they can add up to thousands of dollars—or even more.
If you if you are a tourist visiting South Florida, you may assume travel insurance will cover your costs. However, travel insurance providers may not always recognise accidents on rental bikes as covered. In addition, they may allege that only a small portion of your expenses are covered. Seeking fair compensation can help ensure you are not left with unreasonable bills as a result of an injury which was not your fault.
If you have an injured in a bicycle accident in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood bicycle accident attorney. Through our offices in Hollywood, Miami, and Homestead, we serve the entire cells Florida community and we have more than 60 years of combined experience. You can contact our caring staff at anytime to arrange a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your potential case.