Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Cycling lets you commute in downtown Miami, cruise through Coconut Grove, or train for races while enjoying South Florida’s beautiful scenery. Bicycling here, however, comes with risks. Florida consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for cyclists.

Some of the most dangerous spots for cyclists include:

• FL-934, US-27/NW 36th St., and FL-9 in Miami-Dade.
• Alton Rd. in Miami Beach.
• Broward Boulevard & Andrews Avenue, A1A, and US-1 in Fort Lauderdale.

Of course, these are not the only dangerous spots for cyclists. Bicycle accidents can happen anywhere in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and surrounding areas.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, you likely have questions about what to do next. You can get answers by consulting with Florida bicycle accident lawyers, who can explain whether you have a legal claim and can seek compensation for your injuries and losses. If you’d like to consult with Florida bicycle accident lawyers, you can schedule a free consultation with Flaxman Law Group.

What Makes Flaxman Law Different?

At Flaxman Law Group, we have worked with many individuals hurt in bicycle accidents and we have seen the impact their injuries have had on their earning potential, relationships, health, and future. We know how important getting fair compensation is to rebuilding your life after a devastating collision.

Flaxman Law Group is a family-run firm with deep roots in South Florida, led by the father-son team of Charles and Steven Flaxman. When you hire us, you don’t get passed around to junior staff or voicemail. You get direct access to your attorney, every step of the way. When you contact our family law firm, you talk to a Flaxman.

We’ve recovered nearly $1 billion for injury victims, and our background working inside the insurance industry gives us an edge most firms simply can’t offer. We know how insurers try to delay, deny, and devalue claims, which means we know how to fight back.

And we don’t stop at legal paperwork. We help arrange medical care, suggest someone to fix your damaged bike, deal with car repairs if another vehicle is involved, and guide you through insurance red tape, often at no charge. When we say full-service, we mean it.

We’ve proudly served South Florida families for more than 60 years, with offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood, and multilingual support in English, Spanish, and Creole. We’re your legal team, but we’re your neighbors. We’re part of the local communities we serve and we’re here to help you get your life back.

Understanding Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Florida

Florida is consistently ranked among the most dangerous states for cyclists. From Dixie Highway in Hollywood to Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami, cyclists face a unique set of hazards, including high-collision streets and intersections.

Under Florida law, cyclists have the same rights to the road as drivers, but those rights are often violated. Drivers may fail to yield at intersections, pass too closely, or simply not see a cyclist until it’s too late. When that happens, you’re entitled to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills (including future treatment).
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Property damage (including bike repair or replacement).
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

Many injured cyclists worry they’ll be blamed for the accident. Florida follows a comparative fault system, meaning even if you were partially at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation. If you are found to be partly responsible for your accident, your total compensation amount is just reduced based on your percentage of fault.

At Flaxman Law Group, we offer free consultations, and we don’t charge you unless we win your case. That gives you peace of mind to focus on healing while we handle the legal claim.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Across Florida

We’ve handled countless bicycle accident cases across South Florida, and we’ve seen the same dangerous patterns again and again. Some of the most common causes of bike accidents in our communities include:

• Distracted driving. Texting, using GPS, or even adjusting the radio takes drivers’ eyes off the road, and this can mean they fail to notice cyclists.
• Failure to yield. Many drivers don’t understand that cyclists have the same right-of-way as cars at intersections or when merging. This can mean that they fail to stop for cyclists or behave as though the cyclist should stop for them.
• Dooring accidents. On busy roads like Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale or Calle Ocho in Little Havana, cyclists are often hit by parked car doors suddenly flung open into their path. In these cases, it is almost always the driver at fault, since the driver is expected to look around to make sure all is clear before opening their door.
• Unsafe road conditions. Potholes, debris, or poor lighting can cause solo crashes, especially on under-maintained roads. In some cases, local governments may be held responsible.
• Drunk or impaired driving. Unfortunately, DUI remains a serious threat in nightlife-heavy areas like South Beach or Wynwood, putting cyclists at even greater risk during evening hours. In rural areas, impaired driving can be a hazard, in part because transit home can be unavailable or expensive.
• Aggressive drivers. Some motorists deliberately tailgate or “buzz” cyclists, failing to respect the required 3-foot passing distance under Florida law.
• Florida conditions. High temperatures in South Florida can lead to heat exhaustion and other conditions that can cause confusion. The sunshine can also cause glare and unexpected weather events can lead to poor visibility and slick roads.

According to People Powered Movement, driver error is responsible for 83% of bike collisions in South Florida, but there are also factors that are unique to this part of the country. Florida saw a building boom in the early half of the 1900s, when many roads and cities were developed for car traffic and not for pedestrians or bicycles. While many cities have started to introduce bike lanes and safer designs for bicyclists, this is not universal.

The early 1900s design and the continuing growth of the area has also created urban sprawl and arterial roads with high traffic, which can mean greater risks for cyclists. As the cities in South Florida have boomed in recent years, the risk has grown even more. More drivers on the streets and more tourists can mean congestion and frustration that lead to accidents.

Poor education can also play a role. While there are many cyclists in Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, and other cities, many drivers are less familiar with cyclists than they are in other parts of the world. This can mean a greater risk for all users of our roads.

Identifying the cause of the crash is crucial to building a strong legal case. That’s where working with experienced Florida bicycle accident lawyers makes a difference. While cyclists are often blamed for traffic accidents, your lawyer can work with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, investigators, and other professionals to conduct a thorough investigation. This can ensure you’re not blamed for a collision you didn’t cause and allows you to pursue full compensation.

Injuries Frequently Sustained in Florida Bicycle Crashes

Because bicycles offer so little physical protection, injuries in a crash can be severe, even at low speeds. Many of our clients have suffered:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even with a helmet, being thrown from a bicycle can cause concussions, skull fractures, and life-threatening bleeding and swelling of the brain.
• Spinal cord damage. Back injuries can include herniated disks, chronic pain, and even spinal cord damage that leads to permanent paralysis.
• Broken bones. It is especially common for cyclists to break bones in their wrists, clavicles, and legs.
• Internal organ damage. While invisible, damage to the spleen, lungs, heart, stomach, and other organs from a direct impact can lead to internal bleeding and even fatalities.
• Road rash and severe abrasions. These injuries can be painful and can lead to permanent scarring.
• Facial injuries and dental trauma. Facial injuries can affect the nose, eyes, and the many bones in the face, leading to pain or difficulty seeing, eating, and speaking. Dental trauma and other facial trauma can be expensive to treat and can result in permanent disfigurement.
• Psychological trauma. Never overlook your mental health. The trauma of a serious bicycle accident can cause many health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Some injuries don’t fully surface until days or weeks after the crash. That’s why it’s essential to get checked by a doctor immediately, and to document everything. Keep records and receipts for medical bills, lost work, even daily pain levels. Any relevant information can help your claim.