Coral Gables is a great place to ride a bike. Many people ride on Old Cutler Road, Alhambra Circle, and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. But Florida crash statistics show that Miami-Dade County has more bicycle injuries than any other county in the state. Whether you ride a regular bike, an e-bike, or a Citi Bike, you face risks from distracted drivers, bad road designs, and poorly kept streets.

Does Florida PIP Insurance Cover Cyclists Hit by a Car?

Yes. Bicyclists hit by cars can use the driver's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. But you need to know a very important rule: you must have serious injuries to ask for more money for pain and suffering. Knowing this stops you from accepting a low offer too early.

Under Florida's 'no-fault' law, if a car hits you while you are on a bicycle, the car's insurance pays for 80% of your medical bills and 60% of your lost wages, up to $10,000. In serious crashes with brain injuries, broken bones, or spine injuries, this $10,000 runs out very fast. If the crash involved a car accident, other insurance policies can also help.

Once that first $10,000 is gone, you can go after the other driver's insurance to pay for your pain, future medical care, and lost future income, if your injuries are serious. Insurance companies often try to offer you a small check early, before you know how bad your injuries really are. CHG Lawyers looks at all insurance policies at once to make sure you get everything you deserve: the driver's insurance, your own auto insurance, commercial policies, Lyft or Uber coverage, and Citi Bike insurance.

Citi Bike and e-bike notes: Citi Bike has its own business insurance policy to cover riders who get hurt using their bikes. E-bikes are also protected by the same insurance rules as regular bikes when hit by a car. CHG Lawyers knows how to find the right insurance for every type of bicycle crash.

Old Cutler Road — A Beautiful but Dangerous Place to Ride

Old Cutler Road is a very popular route for cyclists. But it has unique dangers. The thick tree branches overhead create dark shadows that make it hard for drivers to see you. The road has sharp curves that block a driver's view. Also, home driveways stick out behind thick bushes, and cars driving 40 mph can cause terrible injuries when they hit a bicycle going 20 mph.

Your Right to Ride in the Main Lane

When a crash happens on Old Cutler Road, insurance companies usually say, 'The cyclist should not have been riding in the car lane.' But most of Old Cutler Road has no bike lane. Florida law says you have a right to ride in the main traffic lane when there is no bike lane. We prove there was no bike lane at the crash scene. We show that riding in the lane was not only legal, but it was the only safe choice you had.

Alhambra Circle — A Loop with Hidden Dangers

Alhambra Circle is a beautiful street, but it can be dangerous. Many drivers pull out of driveways and side streets without looking. Because it feels like a quiet neighborhood, riders often feel safe. But cars often pull out suddenly behind tall plants and trees, leaving you no time to stop.

Under Florida law, drivers must wait and yield to all traffic before entering a main road. This rule applies whether they are yielding to a car or a bicycle. We investigate every Alhambra Circle crash to prove the driver was careless and failed to pay attention to oncoming riders.

Car Door Crashes (Dooring) in Downtown Coral Gables

A 'dooring' crash happens when a parked driver opens their car door right in front of a bicycle. This is the most common type of crash in busy areas like Miracle Mile, Giralda Avenue, Salzedo Street, and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Cyclists riding next to parked cars get hit by doors opened without warning.

Florida law says no one can open a car door on the side of moving traffic unless it is safe. Checking for bikes is the driver's job, not yours. We build strong cases by using witness statements, security camera videos, and damage to the car door to prove the driver did not look and that you had no time to stop.

Riding Away from Parked Cars is Legal: Florida law allows you to ride further left to stay out of the 'door zone,' even if there is a bike lane. Riding three to four feet away from parked cars is completely legal and safe. We use this law to fight back when drivers try to blame you for where you were riding. If a loved one dies in a bad crash, we can also file a wrongful death claim for the family.

Florida's Shared-Fault Rule

Under a 2023 Florida law (HB 837), if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for your crash, you get nothing. Insurance companies will try to blame you to avoid paying. They usually make these six arguments, and here is how we defeat them:

• Riding in the main lane

  We prove there was no bike lane at the crash scene. Under Florida law, you have a right to ride in the main lane when there is no bike lane.

• Not wearing a helmet

  Florida does not require adult riders to wear helmets. Not wearing one does not automatically make the crash your fault. We hire experts to prove the driver caused the crash.

• Riding at night without lights

  We prove your bike was equipped with the correct lights, or we show that the driver was distracted and would have hit you anyway.

• Failing to use hand signals

  We prove the driver hit you before you turned, or that the driver was required to yield to you regardless of signals.

• Riding outside the bike lane

  Under Florida law, you can ride outside the bike lane to avoid hazards like glass, potholes, or parked cars.

• Riding too close to parked cars

  We show that the driver had a duty to look before opening their door, and that you rode a safe distance away to avoid being hit.