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Bicycle Accidents

West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney

Riding a bike in West Palm Beach should not feel like taking your life in your hands. Whether you’re on a road bike along Flagler, heading to work on Okeechobee, or cruising through a neighborhood street, one careless driver can change everything in an instant.

Camacho Injury Law represents cyclists hit by cars, trucks, and other vehicles in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County. The firm listens to your story, explains your options in plain language, and steps in to deal with insurers and at-fault drivers so you don’t have to handle it alone.

Florida has long struggled with bicycle safety. State data show that bicyclists are over-represented in serious and fatal crashes, and Florida ranks among the worst states in the nation for cyclist deaths. That big-picture reality shows up in individual lives every time a rider is knocked off a bike by a driver who “didn’t see” them.

Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in West Palm Beach?

A bike crash with a motor vehicle never feels minor when you’re the one who hit the pavement. One moment you’re riding in the bike lane or along the shoulder; the next you feel the impact, hear brakes and horns, and find yourself on the ground trying to figure out what just happened.

In the days that follow, you may be dealing with road rash, broken bones, or head and neck pain while also worrying about your bike, missed work, and mounting medical bills. Attorney Concetta Camacho understands how overwhelming that is.

What You Need to Know About Bicycle Accidents in West Palm Beach

Bicycle crashes are different from car-on-car collisions for a few reasons:

  • The rider is exposed. There’s no metal frame to absorb the impact, so even “low-speed” crashes can cause serious harm.
  • Drivers often underestimate bikes. They misjudge speed, distance, or simply don’t expect a cyclist to be where they are.
  • Fault is often disputed. Insurers sometimes blame cyclists for things like lane position, not using a crosswalk, or “coming out of nowhere,” even when the driver clearly should have seen them.

Florida law recognizes cyclists as legitimate roadway users. The Florida Department of Transportation reminds drivers that bikes are vehicles and that motorists must give riders at least three feet when passing. That rule is simple, but ignoring it is one of the ways riders get hurt.

Why Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in West Palm Beach?

Most bicycle crashes are preventable. Common patterns the firm sees in and around West Palm Beach include:
  • Drivers failing to yield when turning right on red or turning left across a bike’s path
  • Passing too closely, especially on narrow roads or where there is no marked bike lane
  • Distracted driving, including texting, scrolling, or using navigation apps instead of watching the road
  • Speeding or aggressive driving on corridors like Okeechobee Boulevard, Dixie Highway, Australian Avenue, and the Florida Turnpike access roads
  • Dooring incidents, when parked drivers open a door into a cyclist’s path
  • Unsafe lane changes, where drivers merge or drift into a bike lane
  • Poor visibility, including night riding without adequate lighting and drivers not adjusting for low-light conditions
Sometimes road design, missing bike infrastructure, or poorly marked crossings also contribute. A careful investigation looks at both driver behavior and the environment.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Because cyclists are so exposed, injuries can be serious and long-lasting, such as:
  • Concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
  • Broken collarbones, wrists, arms, ribs, and legs
  • Pelvic and hip fractures from direct impact with the ground or vehicle
  • Internal injuries and organ damage
  • Deep road rash, lacerations, and scarring
  • Shoulder and knee injuries from twisting or impact
  • Emotional trauma—fear of riding again, anxiety near traffic, and sleep problems
Even if you got up and rode or walked away, it’s important to be checked by a doctor. Some injuries reveal themselves hours or days later, and early documentation helps connect them to the crash.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in West Palm Beach

  • Call 911 and report the crash.
    Ask for police and medical help. A crash report and EMS notes may become important later.
  • Accept medical evaluation.
    Let paramedics check you out, and follow up at an ER, urgent care, or with your doctor as soon as you can.
  • Get driver and witness information, if possible.
    • Driver’s name, phone number, license plate, and insurance
    • Names and contact info of any witnesses
  • Photograph the scene.
    Capture your bike, the vehicle, the road, skid marks, debris, your helmet, and visible injuries. Take photos of traffic lights, signs, bike lanes, and any hazards.
  • Do not rush to accept money or sign forms.
    Be cautious about quick checks or recorded statements from insurers until you understand your injuries and your rights.
  • Contact a West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorney.
    A short conversation with the Attorney Concetta Camacho before you make major decisions can help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you were taken straight to the hospital and couldn’t gather information, the firm can still help get the report, locate witnesses, and look for nearby cameras.

Who May Be Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?

Responsibility often starts with the driver who hit you, but there can be more than one at-fault party. Depending on what happened, potentially responsible parties may include:

  • The driver, for speeding, distraction, failing to yield, or other careless driving
  • The driver’s employer, if they were working (delivery, company car, rideshare, etc.)
  • A property owner or business, if unsafe design or maintenance contributed
  • A government entity, in limited circumstances involving dangerous road design or missing signage

Camacho Injury Law looks at the facts and the roadway carefully before deciding who to hold accountable and which insurance policies may apply.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident?

Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a particular dollar amount. In general, a Florida bicycle accident claim may seek compensation for:
  • Medical expenses – ER visits, hospitalizations, surgery, physical therapy, medication, imaging, and follow-up care
  • Future medical needs – ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care
  • Lost wages – income missed while you recover
  • Reduced earning capacity – if you can’t go back to the same job or hours
  • Pain and suffering – physical pain, limitations, and daily struggles
  • Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life – the impact on your hobbies, independence, and sense of safety
  • Property damage – your bike, helmet, gear, and other personal items
In fatal crashes, surviving family members may be able to pursue wrongful death claims for funeral expenses, loss of support, and loss of companionship.

How Injury Attorney Concetta Camacho Helps Injured Cyclists

A good pedestrian accident attorney does more than fill out forms. For injured pedestrians in West Palm Beach, Camacho Injury Law can:

  • Investigates the crash
    • Obtains and reviews the police report
    • Looks for traffic or security camera footage
    • Identifies and interviews witnesses
    • Examines road design, signal timing, and bike infrastructure when relevant
  • Handles the insurance and paperwork
    • Deals directly with adjusters so you don’t have to
    • Pushes back against unfair blame placed on the cyclist
    • Helps you avoid harmful statements, releases, and low offers
  • Builds the damages story
    • Gathers medical records and bills
    • Tracks time missed from work and long-term limitations
    • Documents how the crash has changed your daily life
  • Negotiates and, if needed, litigates
    • Prepares a detailed demand explaining why the driver (and others, if appropriate) are responsible
    • Negotiates with insurers from a position of documented strength
    • Files suit in Palm Beach County and takes the case through discovery, mediation, and trial when that’s what it takes for justice

Throughout, the firm keeps you updated so you’re never left wondering what’s going on.

Do You Need a West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Legally, you’re not required to have a lawyer. Practically, bicycle cases can be hard to manage alone because:

  • Insurers often question fault and argue the rider “should have been more careful.”
  • Florida’s insurance rules can be confusing, especially if you don’t own a car or have your own auto policy.
  • Serious injuries mean higher medical bills and more pressure to take quick money.

A West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorney helps even the playing field, makes sure important evidence isn’t lost, and pushes for a result that reflects the full impact the crash has had on your life—not just the price tag on a new bike.

West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident FAQs

There are strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing injury and wrongful death lawsuits in Florida, and they depend on the type of claim and when the crash occurred. Because missing a deadline can permanently affect your rights, it’s safest to speak with an attorney as soon as you can after the crash.
Not wearing a helmet does not automatically mean you were at fault or that you have no case. It may become an argument insurers raise about your injuries, but it doesn’t excuse a driver from their duty to drive safely and watch for cyclists.

Maybe. Cyclists have rights and responsibilities under Florida law, and fault is rarely as simple as one person saying, “They were in the way.” A careful look at lane markings, traffic controls, and the driver’s behavior is key.

Depending on your situation, potential sources can include your own auto insurance (if you have PIP), the at-fault driver’s insurance, and your health insurance. The firm can help you sort out how these interact and address any reimbursement claims as part of a settlement.

Many cases settle without a trial. Some, especially those with serious injuries or disputed fault, may require a lawsuit and possibly a trial. Our firm prepares cases with that possibility in mind while still working to resolve them in a way that avoids unnecessary stress whenever possible.

Contact Us

Speak With a West Palm Beach Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

You shouldn’t have to fight a driver’s insurance company on top of everything else you’re dealing with after a crash.

Camacho Injury Law is here to listen, answer your questions, and take on the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery. Consultations are free, confidential, and come with no obligation to move forward.

Call 561-555-0000 or send a message today to speak with a West Palm Beach bicycle accident attorney and start getting clear, practical guidance about what comes next.

Start Your Free, Confidential Consultation

Share a few details about what happened, and the firm will reach out to schedule a time that works for you. Your information is kept confidential, and there’s no obligation to move forward.