Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Florida consistently ranks among the most dangerous states in the country for cyclists. Broward County roads — including Sample Road, University Drive, Wiles Road, and Atlantic Boulevard — carry heavy traffic every day, and cyclists share them with drivers who are not always paying attention. When a collision happens, the cyclist almost always bears the greater harm.

Eric A. Hernandez is a Coral Springs bicycle accident attorney with more than 25 years of trial experience. Before building his injury practice, Eric served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Southern District of Florida and clerked for Chief Justice Charles T. Wells of the Florida Supreme Court. He fights for injured cyclists against insurance companies with every incentive to minimize what they pay.

If you were hurt in a bicycle accident, call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100 or contact us online today. Your consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Florida

Most bicycle accidents come down to driver negligence. A cyclist riding responsibly on Broward County roads can still end up in a collision because of someone else’s careless behavior. Common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: A driver looking at a phone can fail to see a cyclist entirely — even in a marked bike lane on Sample Road or University Drive.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers exiting driveways or turning across a bike lane frequently fail to yield to cyclists who have the right of way.
• Dooring: A parked driver opens a door without checking for passing cyclists, throwing them into traffic.
• Right-Hook Turns: A vehicle overtakes a cyclist and immediately turns right, cutting them off — one of the most common intersection crashes involving cyclists.
• Speeding: Higher speeds cut a driver’s reaction time and sharply increase the severity of any impact with a cyclist.
• Failure to Share the Road: Florida law requires drivers to keep a safe distance when passing a cyclist. Many do not.
• Unsafe Road Conditions: Potholes, poorly marked intersections, and debris in bike lanes can cause crashes — and property owners or government entities may bear responsibility.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Drivers blowing through traffic controls strike cyclists crossing on a green light or proceeding lawfully.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists have no steel frame protecting them, so when a vehicle strikes a cyclist, the injuries are often severe. Common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head trauma is one of the most serious risks in any bicycle crash. Even with a helmet, the force of impact can cause concussion, skull fracture, or permanent brain damage.
• Road Rash: Being thrown onto pavement causes deep abrasions that can damage muscle and nerve tissue, leave permanent scarring, and require surgery.
• Broken Bones: Fractures of the arms, wrists, collarbone, ribs, and legs are common when a cyclist is thrown or struck.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact at speed can fracture the spine or damage the cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
• Facial Injuries: Facial fractures, dental injuries, and lacerations are common when a cyclist hits the road or a vehicle.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt trauma to the torso can cause internal bleeding and organ damage that may not be apparent at the scene.
• Shoulder and Joint Injuries: Rotator cuff tears and dislocations often result from bracing for impact or landing on an outstretched arm.
• Psychological Trauma: Anxiety and post-traumatic stress are real consequences of a serious crash — and legitimate damages in a personal injury claim.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Florida

Step 1 — Get medical care immediately. Call 911 and accept emergency evaluation — TBI and internal injuries may not produce obvious symptoms right away.

Step 2 — Do not move if you suspect a spinal injury. If there is pain in your neck or back, stay still and wait for emergency responders.

Step 3 — Call the police. Request a report, even if the driver wants to handle it privately. A report documents the facts while memories are fresh.

Step 4 — Gather information at the scene. Get the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and license plate, plus witness names and phone numbers.

Step 5 — Photograph everything. Capture your bicycle, your injuries, the vehicle, skid marks, the road, bike lane markings, and any relevant traffic signs.

Step 6 — Preserve your gear. Do not discard your helmet, clothing, or bicycle, even if damaged. They may be important evidence.

Step 7 — Avoid giving recorded statements. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Do not give a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.

Step 8 — Contact a bicycle accident attorney. An attorney can evaluate your case, identify every available source of compensation, and protect your rights from the start.

Florida Law and Bicycle Accident Claims

In Florida, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as motor vehicle drivers. A cyclist following traffic laws may occupy a lane, cross an intersection on a green light, and ride in a marked bike lane — and drivers must treat them accordingly.

When a driver’s negligence causes a bicycle accident, the injured cyclist can bring a claim for damages under Florida’s general negligence law. Recoverable damages typically include medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule applies. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover. A cyclist who is exactly 50% at fault can still recover. Insurance companies routinely argue cyclists were partially at fault by pointing to lighting, clothing, or lane position, and an experienced attorney challenges those arguments with evidence.

Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance can apply to a cyclist struck by a motor vehicle in some circumstances. The specifics depend on the facts of your case and the available policies — consult an attorney to understand what coverage may apply.

Florida’s 2-Year Deadline — Do Not Wait

Florida law gives most injury victims two years to file a negligence claim — a deadline set by HB 837, the 2023 tort reform law, which cut the prior four-year period in half. Evidence at accident scenes disappears quickly. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses gets overwritten. Witnesses move on and their memories fade.

The wrongful death deadline is also two years. If a cyclist was killed, surviving family members should contact an attorney without delay.

Call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100 today.

Why Hire Eric Hernandez for Your Bicycle Accident Case

• Former federal prosecutor. Eric served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida — a career spent taking on well-funded opponents and preparing cases for trial when necessary.
• Judicial clerkship at the Florida Supreme Court. Eric clerked for Chief Justice Charles T. Wells, gaining deep insight into how Florida courts analyze the law and weigh evidence.
• 25+ years of trial experience. Decades in the courtroom signal to insurance companies that Eric will not back down from a fair recovery.
• Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. A distinction reflecting a career dedicated to serious, high-level legal advocacy.
• Bilingual — English and Spanish. Eric communicates with clients directly in both English and Spanish.

Contact HLM Injury Lawyers — Free Consultation

Injured cyclists deserve a strong advocate — not a quick settlement that fails to cover the full cost of recovery.

Eric A. Hernandez and HLM Injury Lawyers fight for cyclists across Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate, Tamarac, Pompano Beach, and throughout Broward County and South Florida.

Call (305) 842-2100 or visit 3301 N. University Dr., Suite 100, Coral Springs, FL 33065 today. Your consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win.