Bike Laws in Florida: What to Know
In Florida, cyclists may think they’re covered in event of an accident under their car insurance. While it’s true that auto insurance can cover you in the event of a cycling accident, most cyclists discover they’re not as covered as they’d like to be.
It could seem over-the-top to think of buying bike insurance, when Florida is one of the most expensive states in the country to get automobile insurance. Yet there are some good reasons to pay more to make sure a bicycle crash or accident doesn’t affect you financially.
Bike Law Florida statistics and information
Here are some statistics to keep in mind before cycling on a shared road with automobiles.
-As quoted in Newsweek, over 20 percent of drivers in Florida may not have any insurance on their vehicles. But if you talk to Insurance Reps, like the one in Pasco County quoted by ABC News, more than 50% of drivers in Florida may not have bodily injury insurance or just $10,000 coverage of bodily injury — and that compensation doesn’t go far if a cyclist is hurt.
-Last year there were 8,413 bicycle crashes on Florida roads
-Of the ten most deadly places for bicycle accidents in the USA, seven are in Florida.
Even if they only involve minor injury, a bicycle crash can leave cyclists out of work, injured, or away from training for a considerable amount of time. Under bike laws in Florida, victims of a crash won’t necessarily be compensated.
Florida drivers aren’t required to carry bodily injury coverage by law. Drivers only have to have personal injury protection—which means while the driver is covered in a crash, anyone they injured won’t be compensated under their plans.
If you’re in a bicycle accident with someone driving for a business in Florida, that company may only have $10,000 in bodily injury coverage unless the vehicle is over certain weight requirements.
Florida Bike Law and Insurance—what does it mean for you?
Most states require much higher car insurance minimums than Florida—closer to $25,000 for injury coverage and $50,000 accident coverage is normal. These lower minimums make it more expensive for everyone…and more expensive for victims of a crash.
If you are in a car accident or riding your bike when another driver hits you, there is a chance that you will recover nothing from the other driver. This can leave you in a situation where you now owe tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills or aren’t covered for lost time and wages.
How much insurance do cyclists need in Florida?
All drivers in the state should purchase underinsured or uninsured (often called UM) motorist coverage for their personal vehicles. Because you are still considered a driver if you’re cycling, this coverage will protect you as a cyclist if you’re in an accident with a driver without insurance or not enough coverage.
Unfortunately this coverage isn’t cheap and usually requires a higher bodily injury limit. However with Florida car accident and uninsured driver rates being so high, Scarborough, bicycle injury lawyer, says that without it people are playing high risk poker with their health.
Why health insurance isn’t enough to cover you in a bicycle accident in Florida
This is great for medical bills whether you get sick or injured in a crash—either on your own or in a collision. However medical health insurance won’t help pay for deductibles paid before insurance kicks in. It also won’t pay for lost wages, lost or reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, or future medical bills and treatment. Automobile or bicycle insurance can help with these things.
What if I have more questions about Florida bike law?
Matt Scarborough is happy to help elaborate on these or any other questions whether you’ve been in accident or are just a cyclist covering your bases. Consultations are free. Contact us about your potential case.
Visit the blog for more articles and information on staying safe while cycling or making sure you’re compensated if you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident.
