If you were hurt cycling in Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file an injury claim (Fla. Stat. § 95.11), and you may be able to recover medical bills, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. The Fran Haasch Law Group represents injured cyclists throughout the Tampa Bay area — including Clearwater, Tampa, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and New Port Richey. The first step is a free consultation; the second is preserving the evidence before the insurer’s adjuster reaches you.
Why Florida bicycle claims are harder than most cyclists expect
Florida changed the rules on injured people in March 2023. Under House Bill 837, the deadline to sue for most negligence claims dropped from four years to two years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a), for crashes on or after March 24, 2023), and the state moved to modified comparative negligence (Fla. Stat. § 768.81): a cyclist found more than 50% at fault recovers nothing. Insurance adjusters know both rules cold. They also know that a cyclist has no airbags, no crumple zone, and — outside the counties where cycling is heaviest — often no independent witness. That combination is exactly why fault gets contested in bike cases far more aggressively than in ordinary car accident claims.
What should I do after a bicycle accident in Florida?
- Call the police and get a crash report. A Florida crash report (filed through FLHSMV) creates the official record and usually contains the officer’s preliminary fault assessment. Cases originating in Pinellas and Pasco are handled in the Sixth Judicial Circuit; Hillsborough cases run through the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit.
- Get medical care the same day. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and soft-tissue damage frequently show no symptoms for 24–72 hours. Many Tampa Bay cyclists are treated at Tampa General Hospital or Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater — a same-day record ties the injury to the crash before an adjuster can argue otherwise.
- Document everything you can. Photograph the scene, the bike, the vehicle, road conditions, and your injuries; collect witness names and numbers. On corridors like the Pinellas Trail crossings or US-19, intersection sightlines often decide liability.
- Talk to a bicycle accident lawyer before you give a recorded statement. Adjusters often call within days, while symptoms are still developing, and use that statement to lock in a low fault baseline.
Florida bicycle laws every rider should know
- The three-foot law (Fla. Stat. § 316.083). When passing a cyclist, a motor-vehicle driver must leave at least three feet of clearance. A driver who “buzzes” a rider and causes a crash has violated this statute.
- Cyclists have the rights and duties of drivers (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065). Riders generally must travel with traffic, obey signals, and use hand signals — but they are also entitled to the lane protections any driver receives.
- Helmets (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(3)(d)). Florida requires helmets for riders under 16. Adults are not required to wear one — and under Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(18), failing to wear a helmet may not be treated as evidence of negligence or used to reduce a cyclist’s recovery.
Florida · Bicycle Accident Data
Florida Bicycle Accident Statistics (2018–2022)
Bicycle crashes in Florida climbed to a five-year high in 2022, with 7,117 reported crashes and 209 cyclist deaths statewide. That's up from 6,590 crashes in 2018 — and the danger rose even faster, with nearly 3 in every 100 crashes proving fatal.
2022 Crashes
▲ 8% vs. 2018
2022 Fatalities
▲ 31% vs. 2018
2022 Fatality Rate
per 100 crashes · ▲ from 2.4
Bicycle crashes & fatalities by year
| Year | Bicycle Crashes | Fatalities | Fatality Rate (per 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6,590 | 160 | 2.4 |
| 2019 | 6,664 | 156 | 2.3 |
| 2020 | 5,952 | 169 | 2.8 |
| 2021 | 6,404 | 197 | 3.1 |
| 2022 | 7,117 | 209 | 2.9 |
Source: Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), statewide bicycle crash data, 2018–2022. [2023–2025 statewide totals pending — update when available.]
Frequently asked questions
How many bicycle accidents happen in Florida each year?
Florida reached a five-year high of 7,117 reported bicycle crashes in 2022, up from 6,590 in 2018. Those 2022 crashes resulted in 209 cyclist deaths statewide.
How deadly are bicycle accidents in Florida?
In 2022, about 2.9 of every 100 reported bicycle crashes in Florida were fatal — roughly a 30% higher fatality rate than in 2018.
Injured in a Florida bicycle accident? Talk to the Fran Haasch Law Group team.No fees unless we win. Free consultation. Past results don't guarantee outcomes.
Call (727) 784-8191Who is at fault in a Florida bicycle accident?
Fault in a Florida bicycle case is built from three sources: the crash report (the officer’s narrative and preliminary assessment), witness statements, and physical evidence (skid marks, vehicle and bicycle damage, camera footage, and roadway conditions). Because Florida now applies modified comparative negligence (Fla. Stat. § 768.81), the defense’s goal is rarely to deny the crash happened — it’s to push the cyclist’s share of fault above 50%, where recovery disappears. Preserving evidence early is what keeps that from happening.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Under the post-HB 837 system, if a jury awards $100,000 and finds you 40% responsible, you receive $60,000. At 51%, you receive nothing. That cliff is why the firm’s first job is usually evidence preservation, not negotiation — the percentage assigned to the cyclist is the whole case.
What compensation can an injured cyclist recover?
The goal is to restore what the crash took, not to chase a number. Depending on the facts, recovery may include:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, imaging, rehabilitation, and future treatment.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity — time missed, and reduced ability to work going forward.
- Pain and suffering — the physical and emotional toll, including anxiety, depression, and scarring.
- Punitive damages — available only where the at-fault party’s conduct was especially egregious.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Florida?
For crashes on or after March 24, 2023, the deadline is two years from the date of the accident (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a)); crashes before that date generally fall under the prior four-year window. Wrongful-death claims run on their own two-year clock measured from the date of death, and claims against a government entity carry special pre-suit notice requirements (Fla. Stat. § 768.28). Miss the deadline and the claim is typically barred for good — which is why confirming your specific deadline early matters.
What causes most Florida bicycle accidents?
Distracted driving leads the list — a driver looking at a phone never sees the rider. Speeding shortens the time a driver has to react or move over. Failure to yield at intersections and driveways, unsafe passing (the three-foot violation), and “dooring” round it out. Weather and poor road maintenance — potholes, debris, missing bike-lane markings — turn near-misses into crashes.
What are the most common bicycle accident injuries?
Because a cyclist’s body absorbs the impact directly, injuries tend to be more severe than in comparable car crashes:
- Road rash and lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
Any blow to the head warrants immediate evaluation, even if you feel fine — the most serious brain injuries are often the ones that look minor at the scene.
How the Fran Haasch Law Group handles bicycle accident cases
The firm pursues personal-injury and wrongful-death claims for cyclists and their families, handling the investigation, evidence preservation, insurer negotiation, and — when a fair settlement isn’t offered — trial. The firm also represents people hurt in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents across Florida.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
Two years from the date of the crash for accidents on or after March 24, 2023, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(a). Accidents before that date generally had four years. Claims involving a government entity or a wrongful death follow separate rules and notice requirements, so confirm your specific deadline early.
Do I need to wear a helmet to have a case in Florida?
No. Florida only requires helmets for riders under 16 (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065). An adult rider who wasn’t wearing one can still recover — under Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(18), not wearing a helmet may not be treated as evidence of negligence or used to reduce a cyclist’s recovery.
What is Florida’s three-foot law?
Fla. Stat. § 316.083 requires a driver passing a cyclist to leave at least three feet of clearance. A driver who passes closer and causes a crash has broken the law, and that violation can support your claim.
Can I recover money if I was partly at fault for the bike crash?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault (Fla. Stat. § 768.81). Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault; above 50%, Florida law bars recovery entirely.
How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?
The Fran Haasch Law Group handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee — no upfront cost, and no fee unless the firm recovers compensation for you. The initial consultation is free.
What should I do right after a bicycle accident in Florida?
Call the police and get a crash report, seek medical care the same day, photograph the scene and collect witness information, and speak with a bicycle accident lawyer before giving a recorded statement to any insurer.
How dangerous is cycling in Florida?
Florida reached a five-year high of 7,117 reported bicycle crashes in 2022, with 209 cyclist deaths — roughly 3 of every 100 crashes proved fatal (FLHSMV). Florida consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for cyclists.
What if the driver who hit me left the scene?
A hit-and-run does not end your claim. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply, and police, camera footage, and witness accounts often identify the driver. Report it immediately and preserve everything.
Injured cycling in Florida? Talk to the Fran Haasch Law Group. Free consultation. No fees unless we win. Past results don’t guarantee outcomes.
Call (727) 784-8191
