Plantation Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Hit By a Car While Riding a Bike? Our Attorneys Fight For Injured Cyclists in Florida

Bicycle accidents caused by aggressive drivers in Florida happen at an alarming rate. If a driver doesn’t share the road, yield for cyclists, or behave in a responsible manner, serious bicycle crashes often occur due to the negligent actions of reckless drivers.

Suddenly, you might have a serious, painful injury, including broken bones, head trauma, or worse. When this happens, you often need extensive medical care and weeks or months of recovery time. Medical expenses can add up fast. And because you’re not working, you often don’t have money to pay all your other regular monthly bills. An experienced Plantation bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights.

At Personal Injury Legal Solutions, we understand how quickly your life can change after a serious bicycle accident. That’s why our bicycle accident attorneys work hard to make things right. We have more than 40 years of combined experience representing individuals like you – cyclists who have been hit by negligent drivers.

Florida Bicycle Accident Statistics

More than 9,000 bicycle accidents annually involving motor vehicles in Florida.
More than 8,800 bicycle crash injuries each year.
More than 200 bicycle fatalities.

Sources: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)

What are common causes of bicycle accidents involving cars?

Most bike crashes happen because drivers ignore the rules of the road – or ignore bicyclists entirely. You have the right to be on the road. It’s covered under Florida’s Share the Road rules and regulations. Under Florida law, bikes are treated the same as vehicles.

Even so, many drivers fail to watch out for cyclists or give them enough space to ride safely on the road. As a result, many bicycle accidents occur due to common driver errors, including:

Turning without checking for a cyclist in a bike lane.
Opening a car door directly into a rider’s path.
Driving into a bike lane or the shoulder of the road, often due to distraction.
Running a red light or not stopping at a stop sign.
Speeding and misjudging the distance between a car and a bike.
Aggressively driving and hitting a cyclist from behind.

If you were hit by a car while biking, odds are it wasn’t your fault. Our law firm can investigate what happened, gather evidence in support of your bicycle injury claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

What injuries are common in bicycle vs. car accidents?

Even with a helmet, bicyclists face severe injury risks in any collision. You have no protection from a 3,000-pound car traveling at 40 miles per hour or sometimes even faster. Common bicycle injuries include:

Broken bones in the arms, wrists, or legs.
Head trauma or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Neck and back injuries, including spinal damage.
Internal injuries or organ damage.
Road rash and permanent scarring.

Injuries from bicycle accidents often take longer to heal and can lead to chronic pain or permanent disability. We can ensure that your medical expenses and long-term needs are fully accounted for when seeking compensation for your bike crash.

Who pays for my medical bills after a bicycle accident?

Florida follows a no-fault insurance system – but that doesn’t mean your options are limited. Depending on the specific facts, multiple insurance policies may be applicable.

Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.
The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage.
Your uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
Health insurance coverage for certain costs.

You should never be stuck paying for someone else’s mistake. Our legal team can review all available coverage, file claims, and fight for full compensation on your behalf. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company is liable (legally responsible) for paying for your accident, we will not rest until they pay you the money you rightfully deserve.

Do I need to call the police after a bike accident in Florida?

Yes. Even if you don’t feel hurt at first, reporting the accident creates a critical legal record. Police can help document the scene, collect important evidence, and gather the driver’s information.

A crash report can support your insurance or injury claim.
Police might issue citations to the at-fault driver, which could strengthen your case.
Witness statements may (and should) be included in the report.
The police officer’s observations can help prove liability and reinforce your injury claim.

If you didn’t call the police at the scene, you should file a report as soon as possible. We can help guide you through this process and provide guidance on everything else you should do after your bicycle crash.

What if the driver says the accident was my fault?

Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the cyclist. Don’t let them. Florida law still allows you to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault.

Florida uses a modified comparative fault system.
Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault.
You can receive compensation as long as you’re less than 50% at fault.

Our legal team can gather evidence to challenge false claims and prove you didn’t do anything wrong. Let us stand up for you. We know how to push back against biased assumptions and unfair blame. We know your rights – and how to protect them.

Should I sue the driver who hit me while I was riding my bike?

Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the full compensation you deserve for your bicycle accident expenses. However, every case is unique and not all of them require a lawsuit. We can explore every option depending on the circumstances of your bicycle crash, including:

If insurance doesn’t cover your losses, a lawsuit may be necessary.
If the driver denies fault, legal action may help prove your case.
If you suffered serious injuries, a court case may be your best path forward.
Some cases settle before trial, but filing a lawsuit sends a strong message to the at-fault party responsible for paying for your accident.

We can clearly explain your options, so you can decide which approach makes the most sense for your particular case. And if you decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for a bicycle accident, we can handle all aspects of the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

How long do I have to file a bicycle injury claim in Florida?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. But acting sooner is almost always better.

Waiting too long could limit your options.
Evidence is easier to gather soon after the crash.
Witnesses may be harder to find and forget crucial details later.
Insurance companies often delay – hoping you’ll miss the deadline.

Our legal team understands the urgency and the importance of your legal case. We can begin working on your bicycle injury claim or lawsuit right away. We’ll also make sure you don’t miss any mandatory deadlines, handle all the paperwork, and settlement negotiations with insurance companies.

Florida bicycle accident lawyers ready to help

You didn’t do anything wrong. Someone else caused your bicycle crash and your injuries. Now, it’s time to hold them accountable for their actions. At Personal Injury Legal Solutions, we’re ready to get right to work on your bicycle injury claim or lawsuit.

Our legal team boasts over 40 years of combined experience, and we’ve helped cyclists like you across South and Central Florida. Whether you were hurt in Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Hillsborough, or another Florida county, we’ll be there when you need us most.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Contact us and schedule your free consultation with a Florida bicycle accident attorney ready to work with you.