Drivers have a duty to share the road with bicyclists. When drivers don’t pay attention to their surroundings and to others sharing the road, serious injury accidents can occur. Even if a bicyclist takes all the proper precautions, being hit by a vehicle while riding a bike can change their life in an instant.
Speaking with a lawyer right away is the best way to understand the options available to you and how you can be compensated if you’re injured in a bicycle accident.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, you may not be able to follow these steps, but if you’re able to, they can greatly impact the quality of your case. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, make sure you follow these steps.:
Prioritize Safety and Call 911 – If anyone is injured—or if there is significant damage—contact emergency services right away. Florida law requires drivers to report crashes involving injuries, deaths, or apparent damages over $500.
Seek Medical Attention – In Florida, seeking medical care is a must if you want to receive the most money possible for your injuries. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits require that you receive medical treatment within 14 days of the accident.
Even if you feel fine after the crash, specific injuries may show up after the adrenaline wears off. Symptoms for injuries such as internal bleeding, concussions, or soft-tissue damage can take time to set in. If you wait too long to get medical treatment, insurance companies might argue that you aren’t hurt as severely as you claim.
Document the Scene – If it is safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, roadway, and any visible injuries. It’s important to exchange contact and insurance information. Get the names of witnesses and note the time, weather conditions, and anything else that may have caused the accident.
No detail is too small. Failing to document the scene gives the at-fault driver a chance to deny responsibility – and win.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company – Florida is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own PIP coverage pays for a portion of your medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. While it’s OK to give the insurance company basic details of the crash, be sure not to provide lengthy statements until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
When Should You Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash, you must hire a lawyer with experience handling bicycle accidents. Bicycle accident injuries can be very severe, with injuries that last a lifetime. Contacting an expert with Weisser Law as soon as possible is the best way to protect yourself after a crash.
Insurance companies aren’t interested in offering you what your injuries are truly worth. Adjusters move fast and will weaponize the system against you. The longer you wait to contact a lawyer, the more evidence disappears — and the more power the insurance company gains over you.
Contact Weisser Law right away if:
- You suffered significant or permanent injuries, especially to the brain or spine
- A loved one died in the crash
- Your medical bills are more than PIP coverage
- The insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly
- The police report is unclear, or the other driver blames you
Understanding Florida’s No-Fault System
Florida’s no-fault rules often cause confusion and are designed to limit lawsuits – not help you. Without an attorney, most victims don’t even realize they could receive much more than what PIP pays.
- Your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance typically covers up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, even in bicycle accidents.
- To sue the at-fault driver, your injuries must meet Florida’s “serious injury” threshold, which may include life-long injuries, scars, and long-term problems.
- If your injuries are severe enough, you can seek more money than what PIP pays.
This is where hiring a lawyer becomes essential. Insurance companies are focused on protecting their profits and will weaponize the system against you. Weisser Law fights for your health, your recovery, and your future.
Potential Settlement Value in Florida
As with other personal injury matters, there is no standard settlement for bicycle accidents. Each case has its own set of factors that can influence what a claim is truly worth.
Still, insurance companies work fast to offer unfair settlements and pressure victims into accepting them. They do this because once you agree to settle, you can never go back, even if your injury worsens. By accepting the first offer, you may end up costing yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Weisser Law is here to unveil the facts of your case to give you an accurate estimate of your case value. This depends on factors such as:
- Seriousness and lasting effects of your injuries
- Amount of medical bills and cost of future medical needs
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on quality of life
- Whether the at-fault driver acted recklessly (speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving)
- Whether you are partially at fault for the crash
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
There are strict deadlines for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida, which include bicycle accidents. Missing the deadline by one day will cost you your right to compensation.
Contacting a lawyer is the best way to determine if you have a case and get started before the deadline.
In Florida, bicycle accident victims can file a lawsuit within:
- Two years from the date of the accident for personal injury claims
- Two years for wrongful death claims
Speak with Weisser Law today
Bicycle accident lawsuits happen every day and often have a lifelong impact on the victims. The team at Weisser Law is here to guide you through your next steps, answer your questions, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.