Tampa Bay is one of the most popular places in the country to ride a bike, and one of the most dangerous. Busy corridors like US-19, heavy tourist traffic and distracted drivers put cyclists at real risk every day. If you’re hit while riding, knowing your rights under Florida law can make a significant difference in your recovery.
Cyclists have the same rights as drivers
Under section 316.2065, Florida Statutes, a bicycle is legally a vehicle, and a person riding one has the rights and duties of any other driver on the road. Cyclists must follow traffic laws, and drivers must treat them as legitimate road users, not obstacles.
The three-foot passing law
Section 316.083 requires drivers passing a bicycle to keep a distance of at least three feet. If that can’t be done safely, the driver must stay behind the cyclist until it can. Many serious bicycle crashes happen when a driver tries to squeeze past in a tight lane or misjudges the distance.
Common causes of bicycle crashes
Crashes we see often in Tampa Bay include:
- Drivers turning right across a cyclist’s path (“right hooks”)
- Drivers turning left in front of an oncoming cyclist
- Parked drivers opening a door into a cyclist’s path (“dooring”)
- Rear-end collisions from distracted drivers
- Unsafe passing that clips or sideswipes the rider
How fault works after a crash
Since Florida’s 2023 tort reform law took effect, Florida has followed a modified comparative negligence rule for most injury claims. An injured person who is found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries generally cannot recover damages. Insurance companies know this and often try to shift blame onto cyclists by claiming they were riding unpredictably, weren’t visible or weren’t following the rules.
That’s why evidence matters. Photos of the scene, damage to the bike, helmet and lights, witness statements, nearby surveillance footage and even data from cycling apps or bike computers can all help show what really happened.
Insurance coverage for cyclists
Many injured cyclists don’t realize that their own auto insurance may help pay for a bicycle crash. Depending on the policy, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may apply even though you were riding a bike when you were hurt. An attorney can review every available policy to find all sources of recovery.
Act quickly
Most Florida negligence claims must now be filed within two years. Get medical care right away, keep your bike and gear as they are after the crash, and speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to any insurance company.
