Bicycle accidents with a car, truck, or motorcycle are among the most severe and fatal hits that can befall a person.
In Florida, most injury-causing and fatal bicycle accidents happen when a cyclist is attempting to cross the road, cycling on the sidewalk, or riding along the roadway with the flow of traffic. A significant number are hit-and-runs.
Most Florida bike wrecks involve one of four common patterns:
- Motorist turns right while bicyclist is crossing the street
- Motorist turns left facing bicyclist
- Error at intersection
- Motorist drives out at stop sign
It’s wise for injured cyclists to consult with a Florida bicycle accident attorney. A lawyer in your region can help you understand how the law applies to your crash and how much compensation you will need to make and maintain a full recovery.
Crash hotspot red flags
Some Florida areas are riskier to cyclists than others. They can often be identified by looking at things like land use, existing bicycle infrastructure, and local socio-economic factors.
A recent statewide analysis by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identifies many features that signal whether a particular place is more or less likely to see a bicycle crash. Features that increase the likelihood of a crash, according to FDOT, include:
- Households with no or only one vehicle
- Long urban roads
- Daily miles traveled on the roadway are in the thousands
- On-street parking on both sides of the road
- Presence of sidewalk barriers (high curbs)
- Raised medians
- Densely spaced bus stops
- Eight or more alcohol sales locations within a close area
Components that make an area less likely to see a bicycle crash include:
- Higher education
- More trucks on the road than usual
- Short trips
- Wide lanes
- Medians with vegetation
Researchers have come to conflicting conclusions on whether the presence of sidewalks increases or decreases bike-crash risk. There is agreement, however, that sidewalk bike accidents are less severe and rarely result in fatalities.
It’s also notable that areas with medium and high bike activity see a lower rate of bicycle accidents, whereas areas with low bike activity have a higher rate of accidents. This seemingly paradoxical outcome likely occurs because motorists in areas with a lot of bikes are more conscious of the need to share the road with cyclists.
High-risk Florida cities
The most populated Florida counties tend to have the most accidents as well as the highest crash rates, according to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration. Florida counties with the highest rate of injury-causing bicycle crashes include Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Volusia.
Bicycle crash hotspots are largely located in urban, tourist areas with dense populations and along the coast. FDOT has identified crash clusters in:
- Bradenton
- Brent
- Daytona Beach
- Delray Beach
- Gainesville
- Key West
- Lake Worth
- Miami
- Naples
- Orlando
- Pinellas Park
- Sarasota
- Petersburg
- Tallahassee
- Tampa
- Walton Beach
- West Palm Beach
Gainesville had the most clusters out of any city. The central north Florida community has four bicycle crash hotspots. FDOT called out 13th Street and University Avenue as places with a high chance of bike accidents.
Common Florida bicycle accident causes and factors
The underlying reasons for Florida’s high bicycle accident rate have been explored in many studies, including a comprehensive deep dive by FDOT and Florida International University, “Statewide Analysis of Bicycle Crashes.”
The study lists common factors and causes in Florida bicycle accidents. These include:
Inadequate street lighting — Bicycle visibility is a major contributing factor to crashes. Cyclists can wear reflective clothing and use lights at night to help themselves stand out.
Unconventional intersection geometry — Strange intersection designs confuse drivers and put their focus on reading traffic signs instead of scanning for other people on the road.
Sideswipes — This term describes when the side of a vehicle hits a bicyclist. These crashes typically happen when lanes are narrow and motorists are driving at high speeds. Wide vehicles, whether moving or parked, can also contribute to sideswipes.
Driveways near intersections — Driveways are always dangerous for cyclists because drivers entering or exiting the roadway may make sudden movements with little warning. These driveways are particularly risky when positioned near an intersection.
U-turns — Whether a driver is attempting a U-turn at an intersection or mid-road, the unexpected maneuver can catch drivers and bicyclists off guard.
Bicyclist hit by door — Sometimes called “doorings,” these accidents often happen where there is a lot of bicycle traffic and on-street parking. Drivers who open their doors before checking for bicycles, pedestrians, and other vehicles risk hitting them, or forcing the cyclist to swerve into traffic and collide with another vehicle.
Bicyclists riding opposite to traffic — Many bicyclists believe it is safer to ride against traffic so that they can see oncoming vehicles in their lane. However, drivers exiting driveways and making turns do not expect traffic coming from that direction. This situation increases the likelihood of a head-on crash.
Traffic violations by motorists and bicyclists – Speeding, failure to signal, and other violations can easily lead to a collision.
Bicycle accident victims’ rights
Injured victims of Florida bicycle accidents have the same rights as people hurt in car accidents. If you were hurt in a crash, it is important that you consult with a lawyer. They can help to protect you from being blamed for the wreck and negotiate with insurance companies to pursue full compensation for your claim.
Bicycle accident attorneys nearly always offer free consultations, so there’s nothing to lose by talking to a lawyer about your situation. Contact a local lawyer today to schedule a free review of your case.
