Accident Involving Well-Known Bicycling Advocate Illustrates Dangers Faced by Florida Bicyclists
May 15, 2017
Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) May 15, 2017 – Alan Snel, a prominent Florida advocate for bicycling and safety, sustained serious injuries when he was hit from behind by an allegedly distracted driver while riding his bike March 7.
Bicycling safety advocates expressed outrage that law enforcement did not issue a citation to the driver. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office reported that the 65-year-old driver was blinded by sunlight and was inhaling “a breathing treatment” when he struck Snel’s bicycle near Fort Pierce. Deputy Bryan Beaty, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, said that Florida is a no-fault state, and since the driver did not intentionally hit Snel, the matter “is a civil dispute.”
“Whenever someone is injured by a driver’s negligence, they have a right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit,” said Robert Joyce, a Tampa car accident attorney. “Bicyclists are among the most vulnerable people on the road, and drivers have a responsibility to use care around them.”
Snel, a former Tampa Tribune reporter, founded the South West Florida Bicycle United Dealers and co-founded the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club. He lobbied and organized in favor of bike lanes and other safety measures. Florida bicyclists have banded together to raise money to help Snel with expenses while he recovers from deep bruises and a fractured spine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida has the highest rate of bicycling deaths in the nation. The bike death rate in Florida was 7.4 fatalities per million people in 2015, nearly three times the U.S. average of 2.5.
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Joyce and Reyes Law Firm, P.A.
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Tampa, FL 33606
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