Tallahassee Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Plaintiff-Only Firm. Over 30 Years Fighting for Injured Cyclists in Leon County.

Whether you ride to work, compete in races, or bike for recreation, you know the risks of sharing Tallahassee roads with cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. When a collision happens, the consequences for cyclists are rarely minor.

Local Bicycle Accident Statistics & Our Record

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, thousands of bicycle-vehicle crashes occur across Florida every year. In 2023, Leon County recorded 71 bicycle accident cases, two of them fatal. Cyclists have no structural protection from impact forces, which means collisions with motor vehicles frequently produce injuries far more serious than those sustained by vehicle occupants.

Based in Tallahassee, Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. provides dedicated representation to injured cyclists throughout Leon County. Paul Shapiro brings over 30 years of personal injury experience to every case, and our firm has handled more than 3,400 cases, recovering over $50 million for clients. We represent only plaintiffs and have never taken a case for an insurance company or corporate defendant.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, call us at (850) 629-7226 or submit a contact form for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.

Common Injuries in Tallahassee Bicycle-Vehicle Collisions

Without a seatbelt, airbag, or frame around them, a rider thrown from their bike absorbs the full force of impact against pavement or a vehicle. The injuries that follow are often severe and life-altering.

Injuries our bicycle accident clients frequently sustain include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function. Helmets reduce severity but can’t prevent all brain trauma, and concussion symptoms may not surface until hours after the crash.
• Spinal cord injuries: damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical management and support.
• Bone fractures: collarbone, wrist, arm, and pelvis fractures are common when cyclists strike the road or a vehicle at speed.
• Soft tissue injuries and road rash: torn ligaments, muscle damage, and abrasions often accompany more serious injuries and can be slow to heal.
• Internal injuries: blunt force to the torso can cause organ damage that isn’t immediately apparent at the scene.

Many of these injuries aren’t obvious right away. Delayed symptom onset is common with concussions and soft tissue damage, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation matters. Serious cycling injuries routinely require emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up, driving substantial medical costs that should be reflected in any settlement or verdict.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Tallahassee

Bicycle accidents often produce catastrophic injuries, and many cyclists need emergency care at the scene. If you or anyone else appears seriously hurt, call 911 and wait for paramedics. Even if you don’t need emergency treatment, see a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline and shock can mask injury severity for hours or days.

After ensuring everyone injured has received medical attention, take these steps:

• Exchange information with everyone involved, including the driver who hit you. Stay calm, avoid admitting fault, and don’t try to negotiate on the spot. Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
• Call the police. Florida law requires you to report any accident resulting in bodily injury or death. You must also report accidents involving drunk drivers, drivers who flee the scene, commercial vehicle operators, and property damage that renders a vehicle inoperable.
• Document the scene. Photograph your injuries and the accident scene on your smartphone. Write down everything you remember as soon as possible. If witnesses saw what happened, get their names and contact information.
• Preserve evidence. Keep the clothing you were wearing, even if it’s torn or bloody, and don’t repair your bicycle until you’ve spoken with an attorney or the investigation is complete. If you must have it repaired sooner, photograph the damage and get a written repair estimate first. Physical evidence supports your personal injury claim.
• Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance company. Adjusters may contact you within hours of the accident and offer a quick settlement. That offer may not reflect the full value of your claim. Don’t accept anything before speaking with an attorney.
• Contact a bicycle accident lawyer. You aren’t required by law to work with a personal injury attorney, but having one in your corner protects your rights and helps you pursue fair compensation from the insurance company.

At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., we’re prepared to assist you with every aspect of your claim. We know the tactics insurers use, and we know how to counter them.

Who Is at Fault When a Car Hits a Bicyclist?

Florida operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning injured parties typically turn first to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for initial medical expenses and lost wages. But PIP has limits. For damages beyond those limits, including pain and suffering, an injured cyclist must pursue a claim against the at-fault driver. That makes fault a critical issue in every bicycle-vehicle case.

Negligence, Fault, & Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Most of the time, the driver is to blame. Motorists who drive while distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise careless are negligent and legally liable for the crashes they cause. Common examples include failing to yield, making unsafe lane changes near cyclists, and not checking blind spots before turning.

In some cases, fault is shared. If the insurance company argues you were partially responsible, that doesn’t automatically disqualify you from recovering.

Florida HB 837, effective March 24, 2023, changed Florida from a pure to a modified comparative negligence state. Under current law, a plaintiff found more than 50% at fault cannot recover any damages. If your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50%, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, a cyclist found 20% at fault in a crash worth $100,000 in damages could recover up to $80,000.

Insurance companies routinely try to assign disproportionate blame to injured cyclists to reduce or eliminate payouts. We fight back against improper fault assignments and pursue the full recovery our clients may be entitled to seek.

Speak with a Tallahassee Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

A serious bike crash can upend your life. Severe injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and physical and emotional pain don’t resolve on their own, and the insurance company on the other side isn’t interested in making you whole. We are.

Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. represents injured cyclists and the families of those wrongfully killed in bicycle-vehicle collisions throughout Tallahassee, Leon County, and the surrounding areas. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (850) 629-7226 or submit a contact form to schedule your free consultation with our Tallahassee bicycle accident attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Tallahassee

What Compensation Can I Claim After a Bicycle Accident?

Compensable damages typically include medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage to your bicycle. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life and earning capacity. Because every case is different, a thorough review with an attorney is the best way to understand what your claim may be worth.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Bicycle Accident?

For accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023, Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident. This deadline was reduced from four years by Florida HB 837. Accidents that occurred before March 24, 2023, remain subject to the prior four-year period. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline. Acting quickly matters: delays can erode evidence and witness memory, so the sooner you contact a bicycle accident attorney in Tallahassee, the better positioned you may be to pursue your claim.

How Does Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. Handle Claims Involving Insurance Companies?

Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly and below full value. We counter that by building evidence-backed cases from the start, understanding the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts, and negotiating assertively on your behalf. Our goal is straightforward: present the full extent of your losses and seek the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.