Trusted bicycle accident attorneys with over 10 years of experience.
Our Tamarac, FL bicycle accident lawyer at The Andres Lopez Law Firm has been handling bicycle crash claims across Broward County for over a decade. We understand the bias that insurance adjusters bring to these claims, and we know how to counter it with evidence that establishes the driver’s fault and supports the full value of the cyclist’s injuries and losses. We offer free consultations and serve clients in Spanish.
Bicycle Accident Lawyer Tamarac, FL
Why do bicycle accident claims face unique challenges in the insurance process, and what difference does an attorney make?
Insurance adjusters treat bicycle accident claims with the same skepticism they apply to motorcycle crashes. They question whether the cyclist had lights and reflectors, whether they were riding in the correct lane, whether they signaled their turns, and whether they were wearing a helmet. The objective is to attribute enough fault to the cyclist to reduce the payout or deny the claim entirely. A bicycle accident attorney in Tamarac responds to these tactics by focusing the case on the driver’s negligence and the specific traffic laws that the driver violated. Under Florida Statute § 316.083, drivers are required to maintain a minimum safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist, and violations of that requirement directly support a negligence claim.
Along Tamarac’s mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors, particularly routes like Commercial Boulevard and North University Drive, drivers interact with cyclists frequently, and when those drivers fail to exercise the care that the law requires, they are liable for the injuries that follow. Florida also requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, and many drivers in Broward County either do not know about this rule or simply disregard it.
Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Tamarac
Bicycle crashes happen under many different circumstances, and the approach we take in each case depends on how the collision occurred. Our firm handles the following types of bicycle accident claims for Tamarac residents.
- Dooring accidents. A driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist without looking, and the cyclist either collides with the door directly or swerves into traffic to avoid it.
- Right-hook collisions. A driver turns right across a bike lane or the path of a cyclist at an intersection or driveway because they did not check for bicycles before making the turn.
- Rear-end bicycle crashes. A distracted or speeding driver strikes a cyclist from behind, and because the cyclist has no warning and no way to brace for the impact, these collisions tend to produce the most severe injuries.
- Intersection collisions. Drivers who run stop signs or red lights create extremely dangerous situations for cyclists who are proceeding lawfully through an intersection.
- Car accidents. When a car and bicycle collide, the cyclist sustains far more serious injuries than the vehicle occupants, and we pursue the at-fault driver for the full amount of the damages.
- Truck accidents. Commercial vehicles have large blind spots that make it extremely difficult for drivers to see cyclists, particularly during turns.
- Hit-and-run bicycle crashes. When a driver strikes a cyclist and leaves the scene, uninsured motorist coverage may provide a path to compensation while we work with law enforcement to identify the responsible driver.
- Wrongful death. Fatal bicycle crashes devastate families, and we handle wrongful death claims with the combination of legal strength and personal sensitivity that these cases require.
- Road hazard crashes. Potholes, crumbling pavement, debris, and tree root damage on paths and sidewalks can cause a cyclist to crash, and property owners or government entities may be liable for failing to maintain safe conditions.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Bicycle Accident Cases in Tamarac, FL?
Overcoming Insurance Bias Against Cyclists
Insurance companies consistently undervalue bicycle accident claims, and our firm has spent more than a decade pushing back against that pattern and recovering fair compensation for injured cyclists across Broward County.
Andres Lopez has practiced personal injury law in Florida since 2009. He is a University of Maryland School of Law graduate, admitted in Florida, Maryland, the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit. He is a Million Dollar Advocates Forum inductee and a two-time Florida Rising Star.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, and we take every bicycle accident case on contingency. If you need a personal injury lawyer in Tamarac, FL, contact us for a free evaluation of your bicycle crash claim.
Understanding Bicycle Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Bicycle Accident Cases
Because cyclists lack the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle, injuries in bicycle collisions are severe even at relatively low impact speeds. Compensation in a Tamarac bicycle accident case may include emergency medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation; future medical care if the injuries require ongoing treatment; lost wages and diminished earning capacity; pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life; and replacement of your bicycle and equipment. Florida’s PIP insurance system provides limited coverage that caps at $10,000, and for serious bicycle injuries, the at-fault driver’s bodily injury policy and your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage become the primary sources of recovery.
Liability requires proving the driver was negligent. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, recovery is reduced by the cyclist’s percentage of fault and barred entirely if that percentage exceeds 50 percent. Florida’s bicycle traffic regulations under Fla. Stat. § 316.2065 may become relevant if the insurer argues the cyclist violated a traffic rule, so having an attorney who understands both the general negligence framework and the bicycle-specific statutes is important.
Important Aspects in Your Bicycle Accident Case
There are several steps you should take to protect your claim. Call 911 and make sure a police report is filed. Photograph the scene, both vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries before anything changes. Collect contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention the same day, because delayed treatment gives insurers ammunition to argue your injuries are not as serious as you claim. And avoid accepting blame at the scene, because even a casual apology can be used against you under Florida’s comparative negligence law.
Bicycle Accident Case Timeline
Medical treatment begins immediately, and your attorney starts the investigation within days. Over the first months, evidence is compiled including police reports, medical records, and witness statements. When treatment reaches maximum medical improvement, a full demand is calculated and presented to the insurer. If the insurer does not offer fair compensation, a lawsuit is filed within the two-year statute of limitations.
What to Bring to Your Bicycle Accident Consultation
Bring the police report, photos of the scene and injuries, medical records and bills, insurance policy information, and witness contact details. There is no charge for the consultation and no obligation.
Bicycle accident victims in Tamarac often face a recovery period that interferes with work, family obligations, and the daily activities they took for granted before the crash. The compensation we pursue is designed to address all of those disruptions, not just the medical bills that have arrived so far.
Florida Legal Resources for Bicycle Accident Cases
These resources offer information about cyclist rights and Florida accident laws.
- Florida Statute § 316.2065 outlines bicycle traffic regulations
- The Florida DHSMV publishes crash data and bicycle safety information
- NHTSA provides national bicycle safety data
- The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains civil court records
- The CDC publishes injury prevention data
Reach Out to The Andres Lopez Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
If a negligent driver struck you while cycling in Tamarac, FL, The Andres Lopez Law Firm is here to help. We take bicycle accident cases on contingency and offer free consultations. Contact a Tamarac bicycle accident attorney at our firm to discuss your options.
We serve injured cyclists across all of Broward County.