FAQ

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance the costs of investigating your claim, including the expert analysis often needed in product liability cases. The initial consultation is always free. ... read more?

No. Under Florida Statute § 316.20655, a qualifying electric bicycle (functional pedals, a seat, and a motor under 750 watts) is treated as a bicycle, not a motor vehicle. That means you do not need a driver's license, vehicle registration, or insurance to ride one legally. However, if you are injured by a car while riding, your own auto insurance or the at-fault driver's insurance may still... read more?

E-bikes are generally allowed wherever bicycles can go, including roads, bike lanes, and many shared-use paths — Florida is unusually permissive, even allowing Class 3 e-bikes on many trails in some instances and subject to local restrictions. Existing law requires riders to yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. A proposed 2026 law (SB 382) that would have capped... read more?

It depends on what caused the crash. If a negligent driver hit you, the same rules apply as in a car-versus-bicycle case. If your e-bike's battery, brakes, motor, or throttle malfunctioned, the manufacturer or seller may be liable under product liability law. If a dangerous road or trail contributed, a government entity could share responsibility. Many e-bike cases involve more than one liable... read more?

Florida only requires helmets for riders under 16, so if you are 16 or older, not wearing one is not a violation of law. However, an insurance company may still try to argue that your lack of a helmet contributed to your injuries in order to reduce what they pay. Under Florida's comparative negligence rule, this can affect your recovery, but it does not bar your claim. An experienced attorney... read more?

Yes, potentially. If a defect, such as a battery fire, brake failure, sticking throttle, or motor surge, caused your crash, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. This is separate from any claim against a negligent driver. It's critical to preserve the e-bike itself and not repair or discard it, because the bike is key evidence. Have an... read more?

If you successfully file a personal injury claim against a negligent party, you may be able to receive repayment for specific amounts of money that you have lost due to medical bills, property repairs, and so on. These are known as “special damages.” Another kind of compensation, known as “general damages” deals with less tangible losses. Two of the most common examples are “pain and... read more?

The fact that each case is unique makes it difficult to provide an exact case timeline. Some head-on collision cases can be resolved in only a few months. Others may take well over a year to resolve. The sooner that our head-on crash lawyers get started, the sooner we can resolve your case. Getting off to a quick start also increases our chances of preserving valuable time-sensitive evidence.... read more?

Nominal damages are awarded when the plaintiff is legally in the right, but has not suffered substantial losses. Because the plaintiff has no established need for compensation, the amounts awarded in these cases are usually very small. They may only cover the plaintiff’s legal costs, or they may be as little as one dollar. What are Nominal Damages? In a typical personal injury claim, the... read more?

A no-fault state is one that has decided, through the laws of that state, that each owner and operator of a vehicle will be required to carry coverage on their automobile insurance to be used to cover medical expenses should an accident occur, regardless of who is at fault for that accident. This coverage, called Personal Injury Protection, PIP, or No-Fault, are all the same thing, and becomes... read more?

The Ruth Legal Team operates on a contingency-fee basis. We want the victims of car collisions to be able to seek counsel without fear of outrageous legal or medical fees. Our goal is to make your life easier, not add on to your hardships. If we do not win your case, you will not owe us a penny. Upon resolution of the case, our fee is a percentage of the total recovery. ... read more?

One of the question the attorneys at the Ruth Law Team are often asked is “Will my health insurance pay for my medical bills after a car accident?” Your car insurance, through your Personal Injury Protection provision, is primary when it comes to your medical bills. After your car insurance has paid its share, your health insurance may then pay for your remaining medical bills. Not all... read more?