St. Petersburg · Pinellas County
St. Petersburg bicycle accident lawyer.
Bike lanes, the Pinellas Trail, and shared downtown streets put riders next to traffic every day. If a driver hit you, these are the questions that come up first.
Kovar Law Group · St. Petersburg, Florida · 727-827-7777
Does any insurance cover me if I was on a bicycle?
Yes, more than most riders expect. Florida PIP follows the person, so PIP from your own or a household relative's auto policy generally covers you when a motor vehicle is involved, even though you were on a bike. The driver's liability coverage and your uninsured motorist coverage may also apply, along with health insurance.
What are the most common ways cyclists get hurt here?
Right hooks where a driver turns across a bike lane, left crosses at intersections, dooring from parked cars, and drivers failing to yield when a bike lane crosses a driveway or side street. Florida law requires drivers to pass a bicycle at a safe distance, and cyclists generally have the same rights and duties as other vehicle operators.
Do I lose my case if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Florida requires helmets only for riders under 16, so an adult riding without one is not breaking the law. Insurers still raise it to argue head injuries were worse than necessary. It becomes an argument about causation and comparative fault, not an automatic defense.
What should I preserve after a bike crash?
Do not repair or discard the bicycle, helmet, or damaged gear, because the damage pattern is evidence. Save any bike computer or GPS data, photograph the roadway and the vehicle, get the crash report number, and collect witness contacts before people leave.
How long do I have to file?
Florida's filing deadline for negligence claims was shortened by the 2023 tort reform legislation, and the window that applies depends on your date of injury and the type of claim. Claims involving a government vehicle or property carry separate, much shorter notice requirements. Confirm your exact deadline with an attorney rather than assuming you have years.
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