New Port Richey Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a bicycle accident in New Port Richey, Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a negligence lawsuit under Fla. Stat. § 95.11 — and the at-fault driver’s insurer, and often your own auto policy’s PIP and UM coverage, may owe you compensation. The Fran Haasch Law Group represents injured cyclists throughout New Port Richey and Pasco County.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you need to speak with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured in bike accidents pursue the compensation they may be entitled to. We understand how devastating an injury can be and will do everything to help you get back on your feet. Contact us today for a free case review.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in New Port Richey?
Established in 1924, New Port Richey is a charming, historic city on Florida’s Gulf Coast in western Pasco County. Home to roughly 18,000 residents and a popular destination for tourists and retirees, the city offers year-round riding weather and growing trail access — including the Starkey Gap Trail segment of Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Trail connecting Pasco to the Pinellas Trail. But that same riding volume meets some of the region’s most dangerous roads for cyclists, led by the U.S. 19 corridor that runs directly through New Port Richey.
The numbers reflect it. According to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash data, Pasco County bicycle crashes have climbed year after year — from 144 in 2021 to 257 in 2025, an eight-year high and a 74% increase over 2018. Cyclist injuries rose even faster, up 89% since 2018 to 247 in 2025, and 36 cyclists were killed in Pasco County over the last five years of data. These numbers are likely underreported, as many bicycle accidents never generate a police report.
Statewide, the picture is just as stark: Florida records more cyclist deaths than any other state, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and has been named the most dangerous state in the nation for bicyclists. FLHSMV reported more than 8,400 bicycle crashes across Florida in 2023 — up over 1,000 from 2022 — with roughly 7,900 cyclists injured, and more than 200 cyclists have been killed statewide in each recent year of data. The chart and table below break down Pasco County’s trend year by year.
New Port Richey & Pasco County Bicycle Accident Statistics (2018–2025)
New Port Richey sits in Pasco County, where bicycle crashes have climbed 74% since 2018 to an eight-year high of 257 in 2025. Cyclist injuries rose even faster — up 89% to 247 — as more riders share Pasco's fast-moving roads.
| Year | Crashes | Injuries | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 148 | 131 | 10 |
| 2019 | 191 | 178 | 7 |
| 2020 | 161 | 146 | 13 |
| 2021 | 144 | 134 | 5 |
| 2022 | 190 | 180 | 8 |
| 2023 | 235 | 223 | 10 |
| 2024 | 239 | 227 | 6 |
| 2025 | 257 | 247 | 7 |
| 2018–2025 total | 1,565 | 1,466 | 66 |
Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) crash data, Pasco County, 2018–2025. Compiled by the Fran Haasch Law Group. Last updated July 2026.
What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
A cyclist has no steel frame, seatbelt, or airbag, so even a lower-speed collision can cause serious bicycle accident injuries, including:
- Road rash and soft-tissue injuries: Painful abrasions, sprains, and deep bruising are common even in minor crashes and can lead to infection or scarring.
- Broken bones: Cyclists often fracture the collarbone, wrists, arms, legs, or pelvis when thrown from the bike.
- Head injuries: These range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) — some of the most severe injuries a rider can suffer.
- Spinal cord injuries: Disc herniation, spinal fractures, and in the worst cases partial or complete paralysis requiring long-term care.
- Internal injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage may not be immediately obvious, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation matters.
Some of the most dangerous injuries show no symptoms right away. Getting examined quickly protects both your health and your claim.
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident in New Port Richey?
The steps you take in the first hours and days after a crash protect both your recovery and your legal rights:
- Get to safety and call 911. Request police and medical response. A crash report from the New Port Richey Police Department, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, or the Florida Highway Patrol becomes core evidence — our guide explains how to get a New Port Richey police report.
- Seek medical attention within 14 days. Beyond protecting your health, Florida’s PIP law requires treatment within 14 days of the crash to preserve no-fault medical benefits (Fla. Stat. § 627.736).
- Document the scene. Take photos of your bicycle, your injuries, the vehicle, and the surrounding roadway.
- Get witness and driver information. Names, phone numbers, license plate, and insurance details.
- Preserve the evidence. Keep your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing as they are — don’t repair them yet.
- Be careful with insurers. Avoid recorded statements or quick settlement offers before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
- Talk to a bicycle accident attorney. Fault disputes, PIP coordination, and underinsured drivers make bicycle claims more complicated than they first appear.
Our step-by-step guide on what to do after a bicycle accident covers each of these steps in more depth.
Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
Under Florida’s bicycle laws (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065), cyclists have the same rights to the roadway as drivers. Motorists must leave at least three feet when passing a bicycle (Fla. Stat. § 316.083), and since July 1, 2024, Florida’s vulnerable road user law (Fla. Stat. § 318.195) imposes enhanced penalties on drivers who seriously injure cyclists and pedestrians. A driver who violates these duties — by failing to yield at an intersection, dooring a rider, passing too closely on U.S. 19 or another corridor, or driving distracted — can be held liable for the cyclist’s injuries. Poor road conditions can also create liability for a government entity, subject to special pre-suit notice rules under Fla. Stat. § 768.28. For a deeper look, see our full guide to the causes of bicycle accidents in Florida.
Proving liability means establishing the four elements of negligence: the driver owed you a duty of care, breached it, the breach caused the crash, and you suffered damages. Evidence comes from crash reports, scene photos, witness statements, and traffic or dashcam footage — and it matters more than ever under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law (Fla. Stat. § 768.81): your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and a finding of more than 50% fault bars recovery entirely. Insurers know this and routinely try to shift blame onto the cyclist.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Florida?
For crashes occurring after March 24, 2023, Florida law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a negligence lawsuit (Fla. Stat. § 95.11, as amended by House Bill 837). Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline, and claims against government entities require earlier pre-suit notice. Missing a deadline almost always ends the claim permanently. Our overview of Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations covers the exceptions in more detail.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Bicycle Accident?
Often your own auto insurance — even though you weren’t in a car. Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage applies to a cyclist struck by a motor vehicle, through your own policy or a resident relative’s, paying 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to a $10,000 limit (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). Cyclists with no household auto policy can claim against the striking driver’s PIP. For injuries beyond PIP, the claim shifts to the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage — and where that driver is uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene, to your own UM/UIM coverage. Our guide on how to claim insurance after a bicycle accident walks through the process from the start.
How Can a New Port Richey Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help?
At The Fran Haasch Law Group, we handle every stage of a bicycle accident claim so you can focus on recovery:
- Thorough case evaluation: We review your crash, gather the evidence, and identify every liable party and every insurance policy that may apply.
- Legal guidance: We explain your rights and options at each step, in plain language.
- Insurance negotiation: We handle all communication with the insurance companies so nothing you say can be used to undercut your claim.
- Representation in court: If the insurer won’t offer a fair resolution, we are prepared to take your case to trial in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which serves Pasco and Pinellas counties.
- No upfront fees: We work on a contingency-fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
- Medical expenses: Current and future treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy beyond what PIP covers.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost during recovery and reduced ability to earn going forward.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash. Because Florida is a no-fault state, these non-economic damages require the injury to meet the tort threshold in Fla. Stat. § 627.737 — a permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, or death.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your bicycle and other personal property.
- Wrongful death damages: Where a crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a claim under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
How Much Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Nothing upfront. The Fran Haasch Law Group handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis: the consultation is free, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Fee terms are explained in writing before any representation begins. Beyond bicycle claims, our firm — representing injured Floridians since 2001, led by founding attorney Fran Haasch, a member of The Florida Bar since 2000 and a lifetime member of the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum — also represents clients in New Port Richey car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and scooter accidents throughout Pasco County.
New Port Richey Bicycle Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
Generally two years from the date of the crash for accidents occurring after March 24, 2023, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year deadline, and claims against government entities require earlier pre-suit notice under § 768.28. An attorney can confirm the exact deadline that applies to your crash.
Do I still have a case if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, you may. Florida law expressly prohibits using helmet non-use as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence in a civil case (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065(18)). Helmets are only legally required for riders under 16. If an adjuster suggests your claim is worth less because you weren’t wearing a helmet, the statute says otherwise.
Does my car insurance cover me if I’m hit while riding my bike in New Port Richey?
Usually, yes. Florida PIP coverage applies when a motor vehicle strikes you as a cyclist or pedestrian, through your own auto policy or a resident relative’s. PIP pays 80% of covered medical expenses up to $10,000 if you seek treatment within 14 days. Your UM/UIM coverage may also apply if the driver is uninsured or fled.
Can I recover compensation if the crash was partly my fault?
Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81), your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and a finding above 50% bars recovery entirely. How fault is documented and argued matters enormously in bicycle cases.
What does a New Port Richey bicycle accident lawyer cost?
The Fran Haasch Law Group handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis: the consultation is free, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. Fee terms are explained in writing before any representation begins, so there are no surprises.
What if the driver who hit me took off?
Report the hit-and-run to police immediately, then look to your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or a household member’s policy. UM coverage can pay medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when the at-fault driver can’t be identified or has no insurance. An attorney can identify every policy that may apply.
Contact a New Port Richey Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
The repercussions of a bicycle accident can be devastating — physical injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting bills. You don’t have to face them alone. The Fran Haasch Law Group advocates for injured cyclists throughout New Port Richey and Pasco County, handles every negotiation, and fights for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact The Fran Haasch Law Group today for a free case review. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
