Bicycle accidents can be devastating. Todd Passman is a skilled bicycle accident lawyer who is also a cyclist himself. If you are looking for a bicycle accident attorney in Fort Pierce or Port St. Lucie who knows how to get justice, remember experience counts and you need an injury attorney in your corner from day-one. Call Todd Passman today at (772) 465-9806.

Here in South Florida we are blessed with warm weather year round. And for cyclists who enjoy warm weather and flat roads, bicycling in Florida is an enjoyable activity. However, when a person riding a bicycle has a crash with a car or truck it is the cyclist who is most likely to be injured. Injuries may include broken bones, head injuries , or even death . Unfortunately, in Florida, there are drivers of cars who, for irrational reasons, consider bicycle riders to be some sort of menace. Many cyclists have reported being the victim of road rage or even assault and battery.

Florida bicycle traffic regulations are contained at Florida Statutes 316.2065 -Bicycle regulations. It is important to remember that a bicyclist has all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle.

Florida further requires that any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict

While it can be enjoying for cyclists to ride in a peleton, in Florida, persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane.

Every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear.

There are other laws and regulations concerning cyclists in Florida, many of which are set forth at Florida Statute 316.2065

Aside from Florida Law concerning the riding of bicycles on the public roads, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (N.H.T.S.A.) has some recommendations that will help prevent injuries and deaths from bicycle accidents. According to N.H.T.S.A.:

1. All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash.
2. Drivers of motor vehicles need to share the road with bicyclists. Be courteous—allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclists on the road, look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling from a parking space, and yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or right.

The Law Office of Todd C. Passman, handles bicycle accident cases in Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Stuart, and Okeechobee, Florida, and surrounding areas.

If you, a family member or a friend have suffered a personal injury, head injury or lost a loved one due to a death in a bicycle accident with a car, SUV, or truck or have questions please contact Todd Passman today, at (772) 465-9806 or or fill out the contact form on this page. Someone from our office will contact you right away.