- Meet Our Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorneys
- Orlando Bicycle Laws
- What Are the Main Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident?
- Orlando Bicycle Accident Statistics
- What Are the Leading Causes of Orlando Bicycle Accidents?
- What Types of Injuries Are the Most Typical for an Orlando Bicycle Accident?
- What Are the Main Damages to Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
- How Much Is Your Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
- Our recent settlements
- Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
- How to Prove Fault in a Florida Bicycle Accident?
- Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Florida
- How Can an Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You?
- How Much Does Hiring an Orlando Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
- Contact Our Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
The ever-sunny state of Florida seems to be a perfect place for cycling. The warm weather, active cycling community, and breathtaking scenery add up to the general perks of riding a bike. Moreover, the local authorities are trying their best to make the state as bike-friendly as possible and have even got it as high as 8th place in a national ranking chart.
However, over 9K bicycle crashes were registered across the state in 2024. Understandably, large cities such as Orlando have numerous threats to vulnerable road users such as cyclists.
Meet Our Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorneys
The busy streets of Orlando are an active danger that bike riders face on a daily basis. A bike crash can inflict life-threatening, if not deadly, injuries to the cyclist. Unknowingly, many bicycle accident victims often choose to deal with the consequences of the collision on their own. However, our law firm is here to help them file an injury claim and have their expenses and losses compensated.
Every bicycle accident lawyer on our team has a profound understanding of the Orlando court system, unparalleled field experience, and a fierce grip proven by a growing success rate. Our attorneys don’t back down until you receive the reimbursement you deserve!
Orlando Bicycle Laws
The Florida law outlines the same privileges for bicyclists as it does for other vehicle drivers. However, it also means that every cyclist has to follow the same rules and regulations as motor vehicle operators do:
- All general traffic laws apply to every rider. They must follow traffic signs and obey traffic signals to avoid any dangerous situation on the road.
- Every cyclist under 16 must wear a protective helmet. The rule does not affect adult cyclists, but it is a good safety initiative for all cyclists to wear a helmet.
- Bicyclists should always use hand signals to let the other drivers know about turns, lane changes, and other traffic actions.
- Bike riders shouldn’t get onto the road while drunk or otherwise impaired.
- Every bike taken out onto the streets of Orlando should be well-equipped and properly functioning. Timely check-ups are a practical precaution to avoid a serious injury or fatal outcome of a bike crash.
- Cyclists have to ride in the same direction as the rest of the traffic, keeping up with the speed. If that is impossible, the cyclists should stay as close to the right side of the road as possible.
- Cyclists must give the right of way to pedestrians.
- It is allowed to ride on a sidewalk unless the local municipality prohibits it.
What Are the Main Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident?
Even the most careful and law-obedient cyclist can get into an incident. That is why you must be well aware of how to act if you’ve been injured in a bike accident.
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Get to safety
Your life and health are the ultimate priorities. If you can, get away from the street and inspect yourself for visible injuries.
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Call the police
Even if you have been in a seemingly insignificant accident, it is always a good idea to notify the police. Some injuries may present themselves later, and a police report will serve as valid proof of the accident.
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Get medical assistance
Not all bike injuries can be spotted with the naked eye. Concussions, internal organ injuries, and other severe conditions require professional attention to be detected. Besides, medical bills also serve as valuable proof when you file your claim.
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Document the scene
If you don’t require immediate hospitalization, you should try to document every detail of the scene. Starting with photos/videos of your injuries or property damage and ending with road conditions — it is best to record it all since you never know which piece of information will be crucial in your case.
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Talk to the witnesses
If there are any witnesses to the accident, you need to communicate with them, record their statements, and exchange contact details.
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Seek legal assistance
Calling an experienced Orlando bicycle accident lawyer is a clever decision. A well-versed attorney knows how to communicate with law enforcement, insurance companies, and potential at-fault parties.
One thing you should not do after the accident is to admit your fault. Don’t apologize to the other party or make related statements that can compromise your reimbursement in any way.
Orlando Bicycle Accident Statistics
The bicycle network in Orlando is surely impressive. There are over 250 miles of bike lanes, 45 miles of off-street trails, and 50 miles of signed routes. However, such a constantly improving cycling infrastructure across the state does not eliminate bike crashes, severe injuries, and bicycle accident fatalities.
The table below shows a significant spike in bicycle accidents across Florida and Orange County in particular. As you can see, over 6% of all bike crashes in the state happened in Orange County in 2024.
| Florida | Orange County | Orlando | |||||||
| Total bike crashes | Fatal injuries | Serious injuries | Total bike crashes | Fatal injuries | Serious injuries | Total biker and pedestrian incidents | Fatal injuries | Serious injuries | |
| 2022 | 7301 | 220 | 6808 | 444 | 14 | 415 | 665 | 21 | 103 |
| 2023 | 8418 | 235 | 7905 | 534 | 13 | 514 | 672 | 25 | 85 |
| 2024 | 9005 | 179 | 8542 | 568 | 8 | 547 | 525 | 9 | 59 |
What Are the Leading Causes of Orlando Bicycle Accidents?
From speeding to inattentiveness to road rage — many things can cause a bicycle crash. These are the most common causes of bike accidents across the city:
- Negligent driving: Drivers distracted by their devices, passengers, and other conditions often fail to notice a cyclist on time, which leads to serious consequences. Many bicycle vs. car accidents inflict serious injuries and damages on the cyclist due to the size and speed of the motor vehicle and the lack of protection of the cyclist.
- Open car doors: Some drivers forget to check their mirrors for other road users and hit them with their car doors. Not everyone realizes that a dooring accident can be as traumatic as any other. The bicyclist may be thrown off the vehicle and even get under the wheels of the upcoming traffic.
- Aggressive drivers: Cyclists facing road rage may not be as common in Orlando as in other cities, but exceptions happen. Tailgating, cutting off, screaming, and improper gesturing can affect the biker’s riding capability and lead to a catastrophic accident.
- Poor riding conditions: Some roads lack proper lighting, and others have potholes and debris scattered around, along with poorly maintained lanes. These obstacles put cyclists in danger.
What Types of Injuries Are the Most Typical for an Orlando Bicycle Accident?
Cyclists are considered vulnerable road users due to the lack of physical protection they have. Unlike cars, bikes don’t have a frame or airbags to protect cyclists’ bodies from impact upon collisions. That’s why bikers often suffer from the following traumas:
- Fractures: After a cyclist collides with a vehicle or any other obstacle, the pressure on the skeletal structure results in broken bones. The arms, legs, and ribs are the most susceptible to this type of injury.
- Head traumas: The absence of a helmet topped with the force of the impact can lead to severe traumatic brain injuries, which may trigger life-altering implications.
- Back injuries: Spinal cord injuries vary in intensity. However, even the mildest of back traumas can cause herniated discs, nerve damage, and loss of limb sensation. In the worst cases, the victim may be temporarily or permanently paralyzed.
- Facial injuries: When a rider lands on a hard surface, especially being thrown off head first, they may break their teeth and dislocate their jaws, along with sustaining serious cuts and bruises.
- Road rash: Another common aftermath of colliding with concrete is skin abrasions. Most people disregard those injuries as insignificant. However, untreated road rash may trigger infections and other complications.
- Psychological trauma: Along with the physical injuries come psychological disorders. Very often, bicycle accidents trigger anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health problems.
What Are the Main Damages to Recover After a Bicycle Accident?
Every accident is a source of unplanned expenses, and cycling incidents aren’t an exception. An injured victim can recover the following types of damages after an Orlando accident:
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Medical expenses
The at-fault party or their insurance company is obliged to cover your past and future medical expenses.
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Loss of income
If you are bound to stay at home and miss days off work, the liable party will have to repay you the lost wages. Moreover, if your earning potential is compromised, the at-fault party will have to compensate for the re-qualification, additional training, and consequent costs.
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Property damage
An injured cyclist can recover the costs of bike repairs or its complete replacement if it was damaged beyond repair. The same concerns any damaged belongings that you deem of value.
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Emotional distress
Mental traumas can have a profound impact on the victim’s life. While you can’t reflect those losses in a precise monetary equivalent, an experienced Orlando bicycle accident lawyer will help you calculate those damages and settle them in full.
How Much Is Your Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The final worth of your case depends on several aspects. Consider the following factors when calculating the compensation:
- Severity of injuries: Minor traumas require little medical assistance and hospital stays, so they always cost less. Severe damage, permanent disfigurement, and disabilities require a more palpable compensation since they have a lasting impact on your life.
- Comparative fault: The state of Florida abides by the comparative negligence rule. This means that if a cyclist is found more than 50% liable for the accident, they will be refused any compensation at all. The higher the percentage of contribution, the lower the reimbursement.
- Insurance coverage: In some cases, the liable party may not have the coverage available to cover inflicted losses. This means that an injured party either has to pay for the damages on their own or seek alternative solutions.
Keep in mind that every insurance company tries hard to issue as minimal settlement as possible. If you involve a skilled Orlando bicycle accident attorney in the case, you will spike the odds of settling for the maximum compensation.
Examples of Bicycle Accident Settlements
There are rarely two accidents alike, so it is close to impossible to outline a precise settlement for every case. While minor incidents can be settled for a thousand dollars, others can cost millions in damages.
For example, suppose an injured victim has broken ribs, concussion, mild spinal cord damage, pain, and emotional suffering. In that case, the issued compensation may vary from $10K to $100K and more, depending on the underlying circumstances and the amount of shared liability, if any. In any case, a lot depends on the experience of your Orlando bicycle accident attorney. The more skilled they are, the higher your reimbursement will be.
Settlement breakdown:
- Medical bills: $20K
- Lost wages: $5K
- Pain and suffering: $10K
- Damaged property: $1K
Cases that lead to permanent disabilities or bicycle accident fatalities often cost millions in damages. However, it takes time to gather relevant evidence to prove the other party’s negligence and receive compensation. Sometimes, the claim may be rejected, and the injured party’s representatives will have to take it to trial.
Our recent settlements
Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?
Every Florida bicycle accident is different. In complicated cases, several parties can contribute to the incident. It is vital to know them all and be aware of your options if you get hurt in a bike accident.
- Drivers: The People Powered Movement’s survey states that at least 80% of all bicycle fatalities are caused by vehicle operators. Speeding or inattentive operators create dangerous situations that sometimes lead to dire outcomes.
- Government entities: When the municipality fails to keep a lane in good condition, forgets to replace or renew the signs, and that leads to a crash, they can be held accountable for the accident.
- Pedestrians: Sometimes cyclists and pedestrians share the lane. Although the former has to give the latter a right of way, some pedestrians may act unpredictably. If they cut the cyclist off, cross without looking, or do anything else that causes an accident, they will be held liable.
- Manufacturers: In case the rider’s vehicle starts to malfunction and it is proved that the bike was faulty from the beginning, the cyclist can file a claim against the manufacturer.
How to Prove Fault in a Florida Bicycle Accident?
Some bike accidents are simpler than others and have an obvious at-fault party. At the same time, others take time to prove. You will need reliable evidence to present in front of the insurance provider or judge.
- Official reports and records: A police report that recounts the details of the accident along with medical records will serve as reliable proof supporting your claim.
- Witness testimonies: Eyewitnesses will provide an unbiased version of events that can prove your innocence.
- Surveillance footage: Photo and video evidence, such as surveillance footage from street cameras, security cams, or dashboard cams, will show the conditions that have led to the accident.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you obtain all the necessary pieces of information to build a solid and success-oriented case.
Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Florida
A bicycle accident is usually qualified as a personal injury claim based on negligence. According to Florida laws, the timeframe for filing such a case is two years from the date of the incident. A plaintiff who fails to initiate the recovery process within the given deadline may lose their right to fair compensation. You can always apply for a free case evaluation with Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group to learn where you stand with your case and start preparing your claim within the right deadlines.
How Can an Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You?
A qualified bicycle accident lawyer can assist you in a variety of ways, starting with reliable legal expertise and ending with stress reduction. For instance, your attorney can do the following:
- Investigate the case, uncovering and assessing critical evidence that may not otherwise be available for you.
- Fairly calculate your losses so that you don’t settle for unfair damage compensation.
- Communicate with the insurance companies, ensuring that you don’t face the pressure of negotiations while dealing with health issues and other consequences of the accident
- Handle all the paperwork so that no document is missing, not giving the insurer a chance to turn your claim down.
- Take your case to trial if the initial attempt for a fair damage recovery is denied.
How Much Does Hiring an Orlando Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
Considering the benefits of hiring a good bicycle accident attorney, many injured victims assume that legal assistants cost a fortune, and they can’t afford that. However, most law firms work on a contingency basis nowadays. It is also called a no-win, no-fee approach, which implies that you will pay your lawyer only after they win the case. The cost of the attorney’s services will vary depending on the complexity of the claim, but usually, it does not go over 40% of the recovered compensation.
Contact Our Orlando Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation!
The aftermath of a bicycle accident may seem devastating, considering the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on the victim. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Groups understands the challenges that you or your loved ones have to face, and we are willing to lend a helping hand. All it takes is to call us for a free consultation, and we will guide you toward a favorable outcome of your claim!
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.
