bicycle Accidents
Injured in a bicycle Accident in Florida?
Contact Elle Rudisill Law Firm today and speak with an attorney who will focus on your unique case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is a bicycle accident (personal injury)?
A bicycle accident occurs when a cyclist is injured due to the negligence of a motor vehicle driver, property owner, government entity, or another responsible party. Because bicyclists have little physical protection, these accidents often result in serious or life-changing injuries.
Common causes of bicycle accidents
Bicycle accidents frequently occur because of:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Drivers turning in front of cyclists
- Unsafe lane changes
- Dooring accidents (opening a vehicle door into a cyclist’s path)
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to check blind spots
- Aggressive driving
- Poorly maintained roads
- Hazardous construction zones
- Defective bicycle components
Common types of bicycle accidents
- Vehicle-bicycle collisions
- Right-hook accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Dooring accidents
- Rear-end bicycle collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Crosswalk accidents
- Hit-and-run bicycle accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Single-bicycle crashes caused by road hazards
Common injuries
Bicycle accident victims often suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
Who may be liable?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may include:
- Negligent drivers
- Commercial vehicle operators
- Employers of negligent drivers
- Government entities responsible for unsafe roads
- Property owners
- Construction companies
- Bicycle manufacturers
- Bicycle repair shops
- Other negligent cyclists or pedestrians (in limited situations)
Compensation available
An injured cyclist may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage to the bicycle and equipment
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death damages
Evidence commonly used
Strong bicycle accident claims often rely on:
- Police crash reports
- Photographs and videos of the scene
- Bicycle damage documentation
- Helmet and protective equipment
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Vehicle electronic data (when available)
Florida bicycle accident claims
Under Florida law, bicyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when operating on public roadways. Drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care around cyclists, including maintaining a safe passing distance where required by law.
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. If a bicyclist is found partially responsible for the accident, their compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault. Prompt medical treatment and preserving evidence are essential to protecting a bicycle accident claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a bicycle accident?
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor.
- Take photographs of the accident scene, bicycle, and vehicle.
- Obtain the driver’s insurance and contact information.
- Collect witness information.
- Preserve your damaged bicycle and helmet.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with the driver’s insurance company.
Can I recover compensation if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Possibly. Whether not wearing a helmet affects your claim depends on the facts of the case, your age, the nature of your injuries, and applicable law. An attorney can evaluate how this may impact your case.
What if the driver left the scene?
You may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage, other applicable insurance policies, or by identifying the driver through witness statements or surveillance footage.
contact elle rudisill Law firm
We Put Your Recovery & Compensation First
Elle Rudisill Law Firm represents individuals and families who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Our practice focuses exclusively on personal injury law, allowing us to provide knowledgeable, strategic, and client-focused representation in matters including:
✔ Car Accidents
✔ Truck Accidents
✔ Bus Accidents
✔ DUI-Related Accidents
✔ Motorcycle Accidents
✔ Pedestrian Accidents
✔ Bicycle Accidents
✔ Slip and Fall Accidents
✔ Premises Liability
✔ Negligent Security
✔ Serious & Catastrophic Injuries
Each case is handled with personalized attention, a thorough investigation, and a results-driven approach to pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law.