Florida Bicycle & E-Bike Accident Lawyer

Bicycling, both traditional and electric, is wildly popular across Florida, but a scenic ride can tragically turn dangerous. In 2024, Florida reported 9,272 bicycle crashes, resulting in 190 fatalities and 8,781 injuries, according to the Florida Traffic Crash Facts annual report. Many of these crashes and those involving e-bikes are preventable, often resulting from driver negligence, hazardous road conditions, or defective design. While e-bikes receive the same legal treatment as bicycles under Florida law, riders face similar vulnerabilities on the road. Nationally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) documented 193 e-bike-related fatalities from 2017 through 2023, with motor vehicle collisions and control issues among the leading causes.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a bicycle accident or e-bike accident, top-rated bicycle accident attorney Philip DeBerard wants to help you. Since 1975, experienced personal injury attorney Philip DeBerard has dedicated his firm to securing compensation for accident and injury victims in South Florida and throughout the Treasure Coast, including those injured in bicycle accidents through no fault of their own. We work hard for our clients, and we’re willing to fight for justice on their behalf.

For a free and confidential consultation, call us today toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online form.

Common Causes of Florida Bicycle & E-Bike Accidents 

An automobile driver’s carelessness is the most common cause of Florida bicycle accidents. Statistics show at least 50 percent of all bicycle fatalities occur due to crashes with motor vehicles.

At any given moment, bicycle riders face the prospect of not being seen in time by an automobile driver. Often, drivers claim they didn’t notice a bike rider because of a turn in the road or the fact that the bicyclist was in their blind spot. Driver inattention also is a big culprit in bike collisions. Distracted driving that involves cell phones, text messaging, or other kinds of activities that take a person’s eyes off the road can contribute to bicycle crashes.

Additional reasons for bicycle accidents with automobile drivers include:

• A driver pulling into traffic in front of a bicyclist
• A driver failing to yield at an intersection
• A driver not stopping at a traffic light or stop sign
• A driver failing to look both ways after stopping at a stop sign
• A driver impaired by alcohol or drugs

Motorist negligence accounts for the majority of bicycle accidents. But bike riders can also play a role in collisions. A rider who isn’t aware of traffic and suddenly enters a roadway without looking may make it impossible for a car driver to avoid an accident. Also, bike riding against the flow of traffic is a recipe for disaster. Wrong-way bike riding can cause an unexpected crash. This is why bicyclists should always ride on the right side of the road, exactly as cars do.

Additionally, a bike rider who makes a sudden swerve in front of traffic could make an accident unavoidable. To ride safely in traffic, the bicyclist should travel in a predictable manner. A careful bicyclist pays attention to traffic and communicates clearly with hand signals before making turns. A bike rider should always be alert to traffic signs and signals as well.

But a bicycle accident may occur due to no fault of a bicyclist or a motor vehicle operator. Some malfunction of the bicycle itself could be the cause of a collision. Poor design or a bad fit between the cyclist and the rider can cause an accident to occur.

Types of Florida Bicycle & E-Bike Accident Injuries

Bicycle riders can sustain severe injuries in a crash. That’s because the operator of a bicycle does not have the same protection as someone behind the wheel of a car. With no airbags, seatbelts, or metal frame, a bicycle rider is much more vulnerable to severe or fatal injuries.

Because a bike has only two wheels, it can succumb to debris, excess gravel and uneven pavement. When streets have any sort of paving inconsistency, a bike rider faces the risk of losing control and crashing.

These factors can cause serious or deadly injuries to bicycle riders, including:

• Head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries such as torn ligaments or cartilage
• Damaged limbs that require amputation
• “Road rash” that can lead to serious infections

Even though bicycle riders are always at risk when entering traffic, there are ways bicyclists can protect themselves. Wearing a helmet, for instance, greatly increases a rider’s chances of survival. It also reduces the odds of sustaining a traumatic brain injury. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 70 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve head trauma. However, only 25 percent of bicycle riders wear helmets.

The fact is that the most effective device available to prevent head injury and death from a bicycle accident is a helmet. Frighteningly, people who ride bikes without helmets are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.

E-Bike Crashes in Florida: A Growing and Complex Threat

If you’ve noticed more e-bikes on Florida’s roads, you’re not alone, and if you’re worried about how safe they are, you’re onto something important.

What Makes E-Bike Crashes Different?

E-bikes, especially the newer, high-speed models, can reach speeds approaching 28 mph much faster than the average traditional cyclist. Now, mix those speeds with traffic, and you get a potent recipe for a severe e-bike accident.

Frequent causes of e-bike accidents include:

• Sudden acceleration or unexpected speed—e-bikes respond more quickly than most people expect.
• Overpowered e-bikes ridden on bike paths not designed for them, creating dangerous overtaking scenarios.
• Inexperienced riders are drawn to e-bikes for convenience but are unfamiliar with basic road safety rules.
• Drivers misjudging e-bike speed, leading to risky turns or lane changes.

Injury Patterns in E-Bike Crashes

Due to higher speeds, e-bike injuries can be more severe. Riders are more likely to sustain:

• Traumatic brain injuries—even with a helmet, severity is amplified.
• Multiple fractures, especially collarbones and legs.
• High-impact “T-bone” injuries at intersections.

Plus, insurance companies often try to deny or delay claims, arguing that e-bikes operate differently than typical bikes under Florida law. That’s why an advocate who understands both traditional and e-bike cases can be your strongest ally.

Why Choose Philip DeBerard for Your Bicycle Accident Case

Seasoned litigator Philip DeBerard is recognized as one of Florida’s top-rated bicycle accident and personal injury attorneys. Voted Best Personal Injury Attorney on the Treasure Coast by TCPalm readers and a recipient of the prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” Award from The National Trial Lawyers, attorney Philip DeBerard has the credentials and results that matter.

Philip DeBerard Injury Attorney has secured over $150 million in verdicts and settlements for clients, including substantial recoveries in bicycle and motorcycle accident cases. Notable case results include:

• $4.6 million recovery in a motorcycle accident case
• $2.6 million in a medical malpractice case
• $2.0 million in a truck accident case

With over 40 years of dedication to injured clients, best-in-class attorney Philip DeBerard brings both the legal skill and personal commitment required to fight for justice and full compensation in your bicycle accident case.

Contact a Florida Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a bicycle accident, experienced bicycle accident attorney Philip DeBerard is ready to help you. While you focus on recovering, we will strive to obtain compensation for you.

Since 1975, seasoned personal injury lawyer Philip DeBerard has committed his legal team to recovering money for those hurt through no fault of their own, including those injured in bicycle accidents caused by negligent car drivers. We provide compassionate and aggressive representation to clients throughout South Florida and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach.

Call us today toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or contact us online to learn how we can help you. We provide free and confidential case evaluations and charge no fees or costs unless you recover compensation.