Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg
While June 3 is meant to commemorate “World Bicycle Day” and the longevity of this two-wheel transportation device, at Leesfield & Partners we choose to celebrate differently, noting the seriousness of this activity and safety tips everyone should follow to avoid injury.
As a personal injury law firm with decades of experience representing pedestrians, drivers, motorcyclists, motor scooterists and bicyclists alike, Leesfield & Partners knows just how dangerous Florida roads can be.
Whether a bicycle crash is caused by another biker on a cramped sidewalk, a driver texting on their cellphone or faulty road construction, our skilled attorneys handle each case with the care and tenacity necessary to secure the best possible outcome for every client. While biking is an essential mode of transport and popular leisure activity throughout Florida, it is important to note that it can come with serious risks such as head injuries, painful bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries.
Over 1,100 bicyclists were killed in the U.S. as the result of traffic crashes in 2023, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Miami-Dade County, where Leesfield & Partners has one of three Florida offices, there have been approximately 432 bicyclist-involved crashes as of June 2025. At least five people have died as a result. The year prior, there were 19 bicyclist deaths in Miami and 19 more who died in 2023.
Leesfield & Partners: “Share the Road”
As a part of routine safety advisories posted periodically to the firm’s digital sign outside of its Miami office on U.S. 1, Leesfield & Partners posted its annual “Share the Road” campaign materials in honor of World Bicycle Day. While bicycles have been around in their modern form for about 200 years, safety equipment for these two-wheel transportation devices — helmets, knee and elbow pads, etc. — have remained relatively unchanged. The dangers, however, have shifted drastically. On the road today are reckless drivers, e-bikes and e-scooters speeding up to 30 mph, and drivers distracted by cellphones and other devices.
Share the road is a phrase meant to highlight the necessary responsibility of motorists, pedestrian and bicyclists to be aware of their surroundings to ensure the safety of all. In Florida, bikes are considered vehicles and bicyclists are considered drivers and must obey all traffic laws when pedaling down the road. This means that they must stop at stop signs and red lights, yield to pedestrians and ride with the flow of traffic. For the safety of themselves and pedestrians, bicyclists must also use lights and night to ensure visibility and yield the right-of-way. Bicyclists under 16 are required to use helmets.
Previous Cases on Florida Roads
Previously, Leesfield & Partners obtained a $5.35 million settlement for a bicyclist who was stopped off the shoulder on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. As she stopped, a negligent driver distracted by his car’s GPS struck and severely injured her.
The firm represented a young mother and son who were bicycling on Miami Beach when a careless SUV driver ran them over. This case was handled by Partner Justin B. Shapiro who settled the case for $3 million. The driver in this case was distracted from the road by a child in the backseat of the vehicle.
The firm secured a $2.1 million settlement for a Key West client who was on his motor scooter when an ambulance negligently hit him. The ambulance driver displayed no lights or sirens that would indicate it was enroute to an emergency, therefore, our client had no idea the vehicle would not stop at the red light. As a result of this crash, our cline suffered nine crushed facial bones and three fractured vertebrae.
In another bicyclist-involved case, Leesfield & Partners recovered a $1.3 million recovery for the hit-and-run. In this case, our bicyclist client was hit from behind on U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys by an under-insured driver who veered into the bike lane, killing our client.
Trial Lawyer Eric Shane is handling a case in which a Key West motor scooterist was severely injured by a negligent driver.
Carlos A. Fabano, a Trial Lawyer at the firm, is handling an ongoing case involving a pedestrian client who was hit by a speeding, negligent driver. Our client in that case had to have his leg amputated following the horrific crash.
Bicycle Safety Tips
- Wear a helmet
- Install lights and a red rear light or reflector when riding at night.
- Obey all traffic laws and ensure that you are following all municipal regulations
- Use the bike lane when it is available. If no bike lane exists, bikers should stick to the right-hand side of the road.
- Just like your car, take your bike into a bike shop for regular maintenance. Brakes should be able to stop within 25 feet at 10 mph on dry, level pavement.
- Avoid using earphones and headphones with loud music or other audio as it can hinder your ability to be aware of your surroundings.
