BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 371 bicycle accidents in Sarasota and Manatee Counties in 2022 (flhsmv.gov).  This means that, on average, a bicycle accident happened almost every day where we live.  Unfortunately, recent data also shows that these figures will likely worsen in the near future.  In fact, U.S. News & World Reports ranked Florida the worst state in the nation for bicycle fatalities and third worst overall for bicycle safety (usnews.com).  Locally, as the population of Sarasota and Manatee counties continues to grow, bicyclists are forced to share the roads with more and more drivers of cars and trucks who are increasingly impatient, distracted, and drive with a mindset that bicyclists should not be on the road at all.  As a result, we can expect the number of bicycle accidents in Sarasota and Manatee counties to grow with the population.   

ROAD RASH: Simply put, road rash is an abrasion caused by friction.  During a motorcycle accident, road rash occurs when a motorcyclist skids across pavement, concrete, dirt or gravel.  Sometimes, even the most experienced motorcycle riders will "dump their bike" and take on a road rash injury in an effort to avoid a much more serious injury. 

BONE FRACTURES: Many motorcycle accidents involve a motorcyclists body making direct contact with an object at a high rate of speed.  As a result, broken bones are a very common injury following a motorcycle collision. high likelihood that a motorcyclist's body comes into direct contact with an object at a high rate of speed.  In some instances, bone fractures may require surgical correction along with internal or external fixation.  

NECK & BACK INJURIES: Many motorcycle accident victims suffer injuries to their neck, back, and/or spinal cord due to pressure being applied to vertebrae in their spine, which, in turn, results in pressure, impingement, or other damage to the spinal cord.  In addition to neck and back pain, these spinal cord injuries may result in muscle weakness in the arms and legs, delayed motor function, breathing difficulties, or paralysis.  

BRAIN INJURIES: Brain injuries, or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are some of the most serious and debilitating injuries a motorcycle accident victim may suffer.  Like car accidents, most brain injuries related to motorcycle collisions are a form of acceleration/deceleration injuries.  However, unlike car accidents, the majority of motorcycle collision related acceleration/deceleration injuries are from the motorcyclist's head striking another object (i.e., the ground/road, another vehicle) at a high rate of speed.  While brain injuries are extremely serious, they are commonly, and mistakenly, overlooked by car accident victims and personal injury attorneys.

PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES: Following a motorcycle accident, some riders experience psychological trauma such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or driving-related phobia.  Despite being invisible, these injuries are very real and usually require some form of psychotherapy for healing to occur.  

According to Florida law, a bicycle is defined as a "vehicle" and the bicyclist is a "driver".  As a result, bicyclists enjoy the same rights to Florida's roadways, and, therefore, must obey the same traffic laws as drivers of other vehicles.  

BICYCLE REGULATIONS - Florida Statute 316.2065

• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
• A bicyclist must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.
• No bicycle may be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
• Parents and guardians must not knowingly allow a child or minor to violate any provisions of this section.
• Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.   

SIDEWALK RIDING - Florida Statute 316.2065

• When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal signal before passing.

LIGHTING - Florida Statute 316.2065

• A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear.
• Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.

ROADWAY POSITION - Florida Statute 316.2065

• A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other traffic must ride in a designated bike lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.  A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing another vehicle moving in the same direction; when preparing for a left turn; when reasonable necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict including, but not limited to, a fixed moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or turn lane; when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side.
• A bicyclist operating on a one-way street with two or more traffic lanes may ride as close to the left-hand edge of the roadway as practicable.
• Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.  Persons riding two abreast shall not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, and shall ride within a single lane.

LEFT TURNS - Florida Statute 316.151(1)(b)(c)

• A bicyclist intending to make a vehicle left turn is entitled to full use of the lane from which the turn is made.  After scanning, signaling, and moving to the center of that lane, the bicyclist must check the signal, then proceed when it is green and safe to do so.
• In addition to the normal vehicle left turn, a bicyclist may proceed through the right-most portion of the intersection and turn as close to the curb or edge as possible at the far side.  After complying with any official traffic control device, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

SIGNALING TURNS - Florida Statute 316.155(2) and 316.157(2)

• A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.  If a bicyclist needs both hands for control, the signal need not be given continuously.
• A bicyclist may signal intent to turn right either by extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

HEADSETS - Florida Statute 316.304

• A bicyclist may not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding.  Wearing a headset blocks out important audio clues needed to detect the presence of other traffic.