Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle Accident
Am I able to recover damages if I was involved in a bicycle accident due to unsafe pavement or road conditions?

When accidents happen in work zones, investigators will look into factors that contributed to the crash, including poor signage and weather conditions. In most traffic accidents, the first step to getting compensation for your injury is to file an insurance claim and to protect yourself against insurers eager to settle the claim for the least amount possible. If you were injured riding a bicycle in a work zone, determining who is responsible for your injuries and damages can be difficult, since there may have been different factors that contributed to the accident. That’s why it’s important to speak to an attorney.

If the driver who hit me was uninsured, can I still recover damages?

If a car hits you while you’re on a bicycle in Florida, your PIP should help pay for some of your medical bills, although the most that PIP will cover is $10,000. Under Florida law, benefits are given to people “while not an occupant of a self-propelled vehicle.” While most insurance policies use the word “pedestrian” to cover the definition of an occupant, bicycle riders are “pedestrians” under the PIP law. So if you were riding a bicycle, you’d qualify for PIP.

My accident was caused by someone else’s actions, but we didn’t actually collide with one another. Could I still have a case?

If you were riding a bicycle and got run off the road by another driver, you can end up with a serious injury, and being run off the road by another driver is not uncommon. A lot of these types of accidents are due to distracted driving behind the wheel. Most of the time if two vehicles, including a car and bicycle, don’t make contact, the accident is considered a single-vehicle accident, so you will be charged with an at-fault claim if you file physical damage or medical claim.

Do Adults in Florida Have to Wear A Helmet When Riding A Bicycle?

No. According to Florida statute 316.2065, a bicycle rider or passenger under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that’s properly fitted, fastened securely upon the passenger’s head by a strap, and meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. However, we recommend all bicyclists wear helmets regardless of age for added safety in the event of an accident.

Am I Required to Have Lights on My Bike If I Am Riding at Night?

Yes. According to Florida statute 316.2065, every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise must have a white light on the front visible from a distance of at least 500 feet and a red light on the rear of the bike visible from a distance of 600 feet. A bicycle or its rider may use other lights or reflectors in addition to those required by the law.

Should I Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer for My Case?

St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer will take the burden of investigating the crash off your shoulders so you can focus entirely on the recovery of your injuries. Similar to a car accident, these cases can be complex and last for an extended period, so it would be your best option to hire a lawyer. A lawyer can adequately analyze the circumstances for liability, investigate applicable insurance coverage, and protect your rights for accountability.