Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bikes are legitimate vehicles that are allowed on the road. Bicyclists are considered to operate vehicles. And they have the same responsibility to operate their vehicles safely and keep up with traffic.

A cyclist can occupy a traffic lane but must match the speed of other vehicles.

However, drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles may have different knowledge of how biking rights work. Cyclists need to be careful when riding. Cars and large vehicles may cut them off, or not see them during a turn or lane change, creating unsafe situations.

The consequences of a car turning into a bicyclist can be significant. In an accident, injuries and damage will most likely affect the rider rather than the car at fault. Some of the most common injuries for a person hit while riding a bike are head injuries, sprains, broken bones, or even damage to soft tissue and skin.

In an accident, the rider is more likely to sustain injuries and damage than the car at fault.

Speak with a lawyer at Whittel and Melton about the possibility of pursuing financial compensation. Call us today at 866-608-5529.

What To Do After an Accident? 

The first step after a bicycle accident is to confirm you are okay. The next step is to contact a lawyer specializing in bicycle accident cases.

At Whittel & Melton in Florida, we can advise you on whether it’s best to sue a driver’s insurance company. We will take care of the legal process and help you make the best decision possible about your case.

At the free consultation, we will discuss your situation, the call and our conversation are completely confidential and free. 

Table of Contents

• Ways to Avoid a Bike Crash
• Florida Bicycle Laws
• How do Bicyclists Get Injured?
• Common Questions about Florida Bicycle Accidents
  • Who is responsible for a cycling accident in Florida?
  • Is Florida a no-fault state or an at-fault state?
  • Does car insurance cover bicycle accidents?
  • What can a lawyer do for me?
  • What kind of compensation could I receive after a bike accident?
• Bike Accident Statistics
• Injuries from a Bike Accident in Florida
• What to Do After a Florida Bicycle Wreck

Ways to Avoid a Bike Crash

Bike riders need to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings while on the road. Next are a few facts that every cyclist should keep in mind to avoid a crash.

• Bike during the day: Most bicycle accidents happen between 6 pm and 9 pm, no matter the season. Remember to ride with lights and reflectors to make yourself visible to motorists. 
• Be extra careful in urban areas: Most fatalities occur in urban areas. In 2019, 78% of bike crash deaths happened in urban areas rather than rural ones. 
• Avoid alcohol: Did you know that around 19% of crashes in the United States in 2022 involved a bicyclist who had been drinking?

Florida Bicycle Laws

Be mindful of all rules and laws in your city or town. Here are some tips you should keep in mind when riding your bike:

1. Bicycles need to have a light in the front and back when driving at night. 
2. Use directional hand signals so that other cyclists and motorists where and when you plan to turn. You can read about it here. 
3. If you are not able to keep up with traffic, you must stay on the right side of the road or in a bike lane if available. 

How do Bicyclists Get Injured?

Bicyclists are legitimate vehicles. Remember to be cautious when making a right turn through a bike lane, when turning left at an intersection, and when merging into a new lane. All these situations can be dangerous if a driver is not paying attention.

Bicyclists can also be at fault for accidents. These are the most common causes:

• Abusing alcohol or other substances
• Failing to wear a helmet 
• Riding at exceedingly high speeds 
• Losing control of the bicycle 
• Riding without experience or knowledge of traffic laws.

Riders also have to look out for elements out of their control to stay safe. Some common causes of bike accidents that a bicyclist cannot control are:

• Reckless motorists
• Failure of the bike itself
• Poor-quality roads with litter, gravel, or debris 
• Insufficient bike paths 
• Complete lack of bike lanes or bike paths

Common Questions about Florida Bicycle Accidents

Who is Responsible for Cycling Accidents in Florida?

Since every bicycle accident is unique, determining fault depends on various factors. These are those who had the right-of-way, who failed to take adequate precautions in operating their vehicle, or who caused a collision. 

Speak with a Whittel and Melton lawyer to start your cycling accident claim.

Is Florida a no-fault State or an at-fault State?

Florida is a no-fault state. This means that insurance companies pay for the injuries or repairs for the individuals under their policy. Nonetheless, no-fault coverage has limits to how much it can cover an individual. Bike riders do not need insurance in the same way that drivers do, so the rider’s policy may not provide coverage.

For a cyclist in Florida, this may require taking legal action to receive full compensation from the insurance company.

What Can a Lawyer Do for Me?

We help our clients fight their cases to obtain financial support. This way, they can recover from injuries and resume their normal lives.

Without additional financial help, medical bills can put a considerable weight on an injured person and their family. If an individual sustains an injury and has dependents, an accident can completely upend their lives.

When that happens, we are here to help you.

What Kind of Compensation Could I Receive After a Bike Accident?

If you’ve been in a bike accident, you know that the injuries and loss can be significant. A physical injury requires medical care. This can impact how you can take care of your kids, and relatives or simply, work.

Lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical care are all things that we can help pursue compensation for. The impact of an accident is not just the cost of a physical injury, but the way it changes your life. 

Bike injuries can even seem small, but some injuries come to light after an accident. This could be a tissue or muscle injury or, even, a brain injury.

Bike Accident In Numbers

In 2022, 45,512, bicyclists were injured in accidents, while there were 1,105 individuals killed by accidents in the same year. 

Florida bicyclists face one of the most dangerous environments for anyone riding a bike in the United States. Florida has the highest number of deaths of bicyclists, with 222 fatalities as of 2022. 

In 2019, AAA surveyed Florida bicyclists about their riding habits. Many cyclists (36%) answered that they did not wear a helmet while biking. Only 56% of riders follow the direction of traffic, while 21% of people responding ride against traffic so that they can see cars and other vehicles approaching.

Injuries from a Bike Accident in Florida

A bicycle rider is at risk of serious injury if they get into an accident with another vehicle. Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles can cause damage to a bike or a bicyclist. 

Remember to get all injuries checked by a doctor after an accident so that you get the appropriate care.

These are a few of the injuries a bicyclist could suffer because of a wreck:

• Injuries to the head: Skull fracture, concussion, brain contusion, or other traumatic brain injury.
• Injuries to the face/eye: Contusion, facial fractures, corneal foreign bodies.
• Injuries to muscles and the skeletal system: Fractures, dislocations, strains.
• Injuries to the chest area: Rib fractures, parenchymal lung injury.
• Injuries to the abdominal area: Splenic rupture, hepatic laceration, renal contusion, pancreatic trauma, vascular perforation, small or large bowel contusion, rupture, traumatic hernia.
• Injury to the genitourinary organs: Urethral and vulva trauma, rectal trauma, pelvic fractures.
• Injuries to skin and soft tissue: Abrasions (“road rash”), lacerations, contusions.

What to Do After a Florida Bicycle Wreck

Make sure to follow these steps as closely as possible so that your case has all the evidence needed for compensation:

• Get a police report: A police report helps document the details of a bicycle accident.
• Obtain contact information of the other driver: This allows us to contact anyone we need to for your case. If possible, write the make, model, and license number for the vehicles involved.
• Schedule a check-up with your doctor: There may be injuries that you could misjudge without the advice of your doctor. After an accident, it is crucial to avoid telling the other driver that you are “fine”.
• Keep a copy of all medical bills, scans, and tests: This way is easier to start your paperwork. Share this information with your lawyer from Whittel & Melton to determine the compensation you may want to pursue.
• Speak with an experienced attorney: If you want to hire us after your free case evaluation, you do not owe us any money upfront. We work on contingency, which means we only get paid if you get paid.

Contact us today! We work on contingency, which means we only get paid if you get paid. Take advantage of the free consultation today and call us at 866-608-5529.

Sign up for a free bicycle accident consultation.