What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Jacksonville, FL, 2024

Bicycling can be a fun, reliable, and exhilarating method of transportation, as well as a leisure activity and a great way to stay in shape. However, if you’re not careful, a bicycle accident can result in life-altering injuries that can cause you permanent damage. If you are ever involved in a bicycle accident, it is vital that you take steps to protect yourself and your future personal injury claim. It is important to know what to do after a bicycle accident in Jacksonville, FL.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Florida

Under state law, every bicyclist under the age of 16 is required to wear a helmet while riding their bike. If you’re over 16, you don’t legally need to wear a helmet. Helmets help prevent traumatic brain injuries in an accident, and wearing one could mean the difference between life and death in particularly bad accidents. Regardless of whether or not you are wearing a helmet, here are some steps you can take to protect your own interests in the event of a bicycle accident:

• Don’t panic. Depending on the accident, you may have just gone through a severely traumatic experience. Try your hardest not to panic. Panicking accomplishes nothing and can only help to make your situation worse. Remain calm, assess your situation, and check yourself for any obvious injuries.
• Remain at the scene. State law requires anyone involved in an accident to remain at the scene until law enforcement arrives. Then, once they have taken control of the scene and given you the all-clear to leave, you can go. If you flee the scene, you are opening yourself up to potential penalties. Stay at the scene and wait for the police, especially if you are severely injured.
• Don’t speak with the driver. It is recommended that you avoid contact with the driver of the car that hit you. They may try to initiate a negotiation and apologize. They may even take all the blame for what happened or try to shift the blame onto you. You may be dealing with severe internal trauma, and your bike might be completely destroyed. You may want to just avoid discussing anything with the driver until law enforcement arrives.
• Get cleared by EMTs. When law enforcement arrives, paramedics may arrive alongside them. Be sure to get yourself checked out by the EMTs, who may take you to a hospital if your injuries are particularly severe. If your injuries are not life-threatening, you can start to document the scene of the accident for your own records and prepare for your future claim.
• Get the driver’s info. You may want to wait for the arrival of law enforcement to start trying to obtain the driver’s contact information. You should get their name, address, phone number, license plate number, insurance information, and the make of their car. Be sure to write down the names and numbers of any witnesses who may have seen the accident happen.
• Document the scene. Make sure you take pictures of anything relevant. That includes your injuries, the damage to your bicycle, the damage to the driver’s car, any property damage, the state of the road, and any street signs or traffic lights. Make sure you write down everything you can remember about the accident as well.
• Contact a lawyer. After the accident scene has been secured and the police have given you the all-clear, go get your injuries looked at by a medical professional, then contact a lawyer to start developing your case for an accident claim.

FAQs

Q: What Do I Do Immediately After a Bike Accident?

A: The first thing you should do immediately after a bike accident is check yourself for injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you could be dealing with severe internal trauma that you may be unaware of. If you are unable to get yourself to a hospital, wait for EMTs to arrive. They can assess your injuries and provide you with medical attention quickly. If you are not that injured, document the scene and protect yourself with photographs.

Q: What Happens if You Hit a Cyclist With Your Car?

A: If you accidentally hit a cyclist with your car in Florida, you must remain at the scene until law enforcement arrives to investigate. If you flee the scene of an accident, you could face severe penalties and additional charges. Regardless of how injured the cyclist might be, it is recommended that you consult with a bike accident lawyer to see what your options are if the cyclist decides to file a personal injury suit against you.

Q: Does Auto Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?

A: Generally, yes, auto insurance covers bicycle accidents in Florida. It will largely depend on the insurance carrier that you have. If a bicyclist is injured in an accident with a motor vehicle, the state’s insurance regulations largely provide opportunities for that bicyclist to pursue compensatory damages. It varies depending on your insurance provider and the specific details surrounding the accident. You may want to consult with a lawyer to see what your options are.

Q: Do I Have to Wear a Bicycle Helmet?

A: If you are over the age of 16 in Florida, you do not have to legally wear a bicycle helmet. Only bicyclists under the age of 16 are legally required to wear a helmet. Regardless of the state’s bicycle helmet law, it is recommended that you always wear a helmet while riding your bike, as you never know when an accident might strike. Wearing a helmet can be the difference between a minor scrape and a serious injury.

Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

The legal team at Spohrer Dodd Trial Attorneys can help you with your bicycle accident claim by building your case, launching an independent investigation to determine the facts, and assisting you in dealing with insurance companies. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our valued team members and learn more about how we can help your case.