Navigating the Aftermath of a Bicycle Accident

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Quick answer: After a bicycle crash in Florida, call 911 and get a police report, then seek medical care — within 14 days to protect any PIP benefits. Document the scene, the vehicle, and your injuries; collect the driver's and witnesses' information; and avoid admitting fault or giving the driver's insurer a recorded statement. Under Florida law you have the same road rights as a driver, and you generally have two years to file a claim. Free 24/7 review: (844) 877-8679.

The Steps to Take After a Florida Bicycle Accident

A crash is disorienting, and the right moves aren't always obvious in the moment. If your injuries allow, work through these in order:

  1. Call 911 and stay put. A police report is the backbone of your claim. Wait for an officer and make sure the crash is documented.
  2. Get checked by paramedics. Serious injuries — concussions, internal trauma — often don't hurt at first. Accept evaluation and follow up promptly.
  3. Capture the scene. Photos and short videos of the vehicle, plate, roadway, signals, your bike, and your injuries. Do it before anything is moved if you safely can.
  4. Exchange and gather information. The driver's license and insurance, plus contact details for every witness.
  5. Protect your words. Don't apologize, don't guess about fault, and don't give the driver's insurer a recorded statement before consulting an attorney.
  6. Preserve the gear. Keep your bike, helmet, and clothing as they are — they can show the force of the impact.
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Your Rights as a Florida Cyclist

Many drivers — and some insurers — wrongly assume a cyclist is automatically at fault. Florida law says otherwise.

Same rights as a driver (Fla. Stat. §316.2065): A person riding a bicycle on a Florida roadway has the same rights and duties as the driver of a vehicle. You are a legal user of the road, not an intruder on it.
The 3-foot passing law (Fla. Stat. §316.083): A driver overtaking a bicycle must pass at a safe distance of at least 3 feet. A driver who clips a cyclist while passing too closely has likely violated this law — useful evidence of negligence.

Knowing these rules helps you push back when an insurer tries to blame you for simply being on the road.

See a Doctor Within 14 Days

The 14-day rule (Fla. Stat. §627.736): If you carry Personal Injury Protection on your own auto policy or through a household relative, you generally must seek treatment within 14 days to keep those benefits — up to $10,000 for medical bills and lost wages. A bicycle isn't covered by PIP directly, but that auto coverage can follow you onto the bike. See our guide to Florida's 14-day PIP rule.

Prompt treatment also builds the medical record that ties your injuries to the crash — the first thing an insurer challenges when care is delayed.

How Injured Florida Cyclists Get Paid

Even though you were on a bike, several sources of compensation can apply:

  • Your own (or a household relative's) auto PIP — the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault.
  • The at-fault driver's liability insurance — for injuries meeting Florida's serious-injury threshold.
  • Your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage — often decisive when the driver has little or no insurance.

We identify every policy that could apply. Learn more on our Florida bicycle accident page.

Fault and Comparative Negligence

Modified comparative negligence (Fla. Stat. §768.81): Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and under HB 837 anyone found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing. Because drivers routinely try to shift blame to cyclists, how fault is established matters. See our guides to who is at fault in a Florida bicycle accident and Florida's comparative negligence rule.

Your Deadline to File

Two years. Under Fla. Stat. §95.11 (HB 837, effective March 24, 2023), most Florida bicycle injury claims must be filed within two years. Claims against a government entity require notice on a shorter timeline. See our detailed guide to how long you have to file a bicycle accident claim in Florida.

Florida Bicycle Accident FAQ

What is the most important thing to do after a Florida bicycle crash?

Get medical care within 14 days. It protects your health, preserves your PIP benefits, and creates the record linking your injuries to the crash.

Does a driver have to give me space when passing?

Yes. Florida's 3-foot law (Fla. Stat. §316.083) requires drivers to pass a cyclist at a safe distance of at least three feet. A too-close pass that causes a crash is evidence of the driver's negligence.

Does my PIP cover me if I was on a bicycle?

A bicycle isn't covered by PIP directly, but if you own a car or live with a relative who does, that auto PIP can follow you onto the bike for the first $10,000 of medical bills and lost wages.

The driver blames me. Can I still recover?

Often yes. Florida uses comparative negligence, so you can recover if you are 50% or less at fault, reduced by your share. Fault is something to investigate, not concede at the scene.

How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay a fee only if we recover compensation for you. The consultation is free and available 24/7.

Talk to a Florida Bicycle Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was injured in a Florida bicycle crash, reach out for a free, confidential review. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is no fee unless we win.

Call or text: (844) 877-8679  ·  Email: info@injurymatters.com
Serving Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. Explore our Florida bicycle accident services.

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