Safety Harbor’s bike routes run through parks, neighborhoods, the downtown area, and along the water, from Philippe Park to the marina and beyond. But no matter how experienced or cautious you are on your bike, there’s always a risk that a negligent or reckless driver will fail to yield or pay attention.
If you’ve been seriously injured or lost someone you love in a bicycle accident, you may be dealing with medical bills, missed work, and a long road to recovery. But you don’t have to manage this on your own. There is help and hope after a serious bike crash.
At Roman Austin, we’ve spent decades helping cyclists and their families reclaim stability after serious crashes. Some of our Safety Harbor bicycle accident lawyers are avid cyclists themselves, so they understand how devastating these events can be, physically and emotionally.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a bike crash in Safety Harbor, call Roman Austin today at (727) 787-2500 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’re here to provide legal support with compassion, focus, and relentless drive. Let’s talk about how we can help you move forward.
Why Choose Roman Austin for Your Safety Harbor Bicycle Accident Case?
We know that choosing a lawyer is a major decision, especially after a traumatic event. You need someone who not only understands Florida injury law but also sees your case as more than just numbers on paper. At Roman Austin, we take our role personally because, after years of working with injured clients and grieving families, we’ve seen what accidents do to people’s lives. It gives us a reason to fight harder.
Board-certified trial advocacy
Founding attorney Mark Roman is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law—an honor earned by less than 2% of Florida attorneys. This means we’re fully prepared to go to trial when needed and have the courtroom experience to secure maximum outcomes for our clients.
Over $200 million recovered
With more than 60 years of combined legal experience and over $200 million recovered, our track record speaks for itself. Whether it’s a traumatic brain injury or wrongful death, we know how to handle even the most serious bicycle accident claims.
Local, responsive, and personal
We purposely keep our caseloads low so we can provide the attention and communication every client deserves. You’ll never feel like a case number. Our team is based in Safety Harbor, Clearwater, and throughout the Tampa Bay region, and we’re available 24/7 when you need us.
No upfront costs or hourly fees
You pay nothing unless we win your case. We operate on a contingency fee model, which means you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This lets you focus on healing, not financial pressure.
Important Things to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Safety Harbor
By now, you’ve probably received emergency care, seen a doctor, or are undergoing treatment for your injuries. Once your medical needs are being handled, you might wonder what you should do next. How do you protect your legal rights and make sure the bills don’t fall on you?
Hiring a lawyer should be your very next step. Insurance companies act quickly after an accident. Their goal is to pay you the lowest possible amount or nothing at all. Having a legal team on your side from the start protects and supports a strong claim.
Here are other steps you can take after your accident:
- Hire a lawyer immediately to investigate the case, preserve evidence, and shield you from insurance tactics. Insurance companies act quickly after an accident. Their goal is to pay you the lowest possible amount or nothing at all. Unfortunately, many people trust insurance companies to do the right thing, so they accept an early settlement offer without consulting a lawyer, only to find out later it wasn’t enough.
- Attend all medical appointments and follow your treatment plan closely to document your injury progression. Slipping treatments or follow-ups encourages insurance companies to question your injuries and challenge your claim.
- Keep a journal of your pain levels, limitations, and recovery milestones to show the real impact of your injuries. This record will serve as evidence of your pain and suffering.
- Save all records, including medical bills, discharge papers, prescription receipts, and correspondence from insurers. Store them in a safe place until you can give them to your lawyer.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting your attorney. If an insurance company calls you, tell them to contact your lawyer instead.
You never have to manage these details alone. If you have any questions or need help with any of these steps, Roman Austin’s Safety Harbor bike accident lawyers can help.
Safety Harbor Bicycle Accident Statistics
While Safety Harbor may not be as large as Tampa or St. Petersburg, it’s part of a region with some of the highest rates of bicycle accidents in Florida. According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Pinellas County consistently ranks among the top counties in the state for bike crashes.
- Florida leads the nation in bicycle crash fatalities per capita, with Pinellas among the highest-risk counties.
- According to the FLHSMV, 8,418 bicycle crashes occurred statewide in one recent year. These accidents resulted in 234 deaths, 7,096 injuries, and 810 incapacitating injuries.
- In the same year, Pinellas County reported 652 bicycle accidents, resulting in more than 13 deaths and 624 injuries, many of which were serious. The rate of accidents continues to climb at an alarming rate.
- Many of these accidents occurred on neighborhood streets and collector roads, not just highways.
These statistics highlight a harsh reality: while Safety Harbor is a bike-friendly town in spirit, Pinellas County is one of the most dangerous places for cyclists in the U.S.
Do I Have a Bicycle Accident Claim?
Most bicycle accident claims fall under the legal concept of negligence. This means someone failed to act with reasonable care, and as a result, you were hurt.
To win a personal injury case, your lawyer must prove four main elements:
- Duty of care – The driver or party owed you a legal duty (like following traffic laws).
- Breach of duty – They failed to meet that duty (such as texting while driving).
- Causation – That failure directly caused your injuries.
- Damages – You suffered losses, like medical bills or lost wages.
If a distracted driver hit you while you were legally riding your bike, that may constitute negligence. The same applies to vehicle dooring incidents, intersection crashes, or unsafe road conditions caused by the city or a contractor.
We’ll investigate all contributing factors and determine whether you have a claim worth pursuing.
Injuries Commonly Associated With Bicycle Accidents
Unlike drivers, bicyclists have no external protection during a crash. Even with a helmet, you’re exposed to direct impact from vehicles, the ground, or roadside objects. That’s why bike accidents so often result in serious, sometimes catastrophic injuries.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – including concussions, skull fractures, or long-term cognitive damage
- Spinal cord injuries – which can lead to partial or full paralysis
- Broken bones – particularly collarbones, ribs, arms, and legs
- Facial fractures and dental trauma – especially in over-the-handlebar accidents
- Internal bleeding or organ damage – which can be life-threatening if not immediately treated
- Road rash and deep lacerations – which carry a high infection risk
Even a relatively “minor” crash can lead to chronic pain or permanent disability. It’s critical to work with a lawyer who understands the long-term impact of these injuries on your career, relationships, and independence.
Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Happen in Safety Harbor?
Safety Harbor’s charm lies in its walkable downtown, scenic views, and outdoor lifestyle. But for cyclists, some local streets pose greater risks than others. Based on traffic patterns and local reports, here are areas where bicycle accidents are more likely to occur:
- Main Street between Bayshore Boulevard and 9th Avenue: With frequent car and pedestrian activity, this corridor is a hotspot for right-turn accidents and dooring incidents.
- Philippe Parkway (CR-595): Popular with recreational riders but narrow in places with fast-moving traffic, Philippe Parkway can be hazardous, especially near the entrance to Philippe Park.
- McMullen Booth Road: A high-speed road with multiple lanes and inconsistent bike lane protection, McMullen Booth is known for near misses and close calls between cars and cyclists.
- Enterprise Road and Marshall Street intersections: Poor visibility, frequent lane changes, and unclear right-of-way contribute to side-impact crashes in these areas.
What makes these areas dangerous often comes down to the same factors: drivers failing to look out for cyclists, lack of dedicated infrastructure, and excessive speeds in mixed-use areas.
We stay familiar with local crash reports and patterns so we can identify how and why an accident happened, and who should be held accountable.
What Compensation Is Available to Safety Harbor Bicycle Accident Victims?
If someone else caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation, also known as damages. These can cover not just your immediate costs but the full scope of what the accident has taken from you.
Economic damages
These are your measurable, out-of-pocket expenses such as:
- Hospital bills and ambulance fees
- Surgery, rehabilitation, or physical therapy
- Lost wages due to time away from work
- Reduced future earnings if you can’t return to your previous job
- Home modifications or mobility equipment
Non-economic damages
These address the harder-to-measure, personal costs like:
- Physical pain and chronic discomfort
- Emotional distress, PTSD, or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Impact on your ability to participate in family life or hobbies
Wrongful death claims
If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, your family may be eligible to pursue damages such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Loss of the deceased person’s income or household support
Our Safety Harbor bicycle accident attorneys carefully calculate the full impact of your losses, not just adding up expenses, but by listening to how your life has changed. Then, we build a case that reflects the total value of what you’ve lost.
Let Us Handle the Insurance Companies
After a bicycle crash in Safety Harbor, the at-fault driver’s insurer may reach out to you with a settlement offer. In the worst-case scenario, they may try to blame you for the accident. But these early offers seldom, if ever, come close to adequately compensating you for everything you’ve suffered and lost.
Insurers often contact accident victims while they’re vulnerable, before they’ve hired a personal injury lawyer and understood the full value of their claim. Signing a settlement too soon could mean giving up your right to future compensation.
Roman Austin will handle all communication with the insurance company. Our team builds strong cases with expert evidence, consults with medical professionals, and demands compensation that fully covers your needs.
If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we’re ready to take your case to trial. That courtroom leverage often leads to faster, larger settlements even before trial becomes necessary.
How Can a Lawyer Help With My Safety Harbor Bicycle Accident Case?
You’ve been through enough. Dealing with adjusters, paperwork, and evidence should not be your burden right now. Here’s how we help make things easier:
- We launch a thorough investigation—gathering surveillance footage, witness statements, crash reports, and expert evaluations to build your claim.
- We connect you with the right medical resources and ensure your condition is documented in a way that supports your case.
- We calculate the full value of your losses, including future expenses and intangible harms like emotional suffering.
- We negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you’re never pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
- We represent you in court if needed, backed by decades of trial experience and real results.
From the first call to the final resolution, our mission is to protect your rights and relieve your stress, so you can focus on healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Florida?
In most cases, Florida’s statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If the crash involved a government vehicle or poor road maintenance by a public agency, the timeline may be shorter and subject to notice requirements. Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Florida uses a modified comparative fault system. As long as you are less than 51% at fault, you can still recover compensation, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% responsible, your compensation is reduced by 20%.
Can I still recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. While helmets are essential for safety, Florida law does not require adults over 16 to wear one. Not wearing a helmet may be used by insurance companies to argue about the extent of your injuries, but it does not bar you from compensation.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer?
At Roman Austin, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your case. You’ll never owe us anything out of pocket.
Can I sue for a bike crash caused by a dangerous road condition?
Possibly. If your accident was caused by poor road design, unmarked hazards, or unsafe maintenance, the local government or a contractor might be liable. These cases are more complex, with shorter deadlines, so it’s important to get legal advice immediately.
Contact the Safety Harbor Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Roman Austin Today
You’ve been hurt. You’re dealing with pain, bills, and a disrupted life, and none of it was your fault. You deserve a law firm that sees the full picture and fights for all of it.
At Roman Austin, we care deeply about what happens to our clients, because we’ve sat across the table from too many people who’ve had their lives changed forever. After decades of serving Safety Harbor and the surrounding Tampa Bay region, we’ve learned that when we help one person recover, we help a family—and a community—move forward.
If you were injured while biking in Safety Harbor, don’t wait to find out your options. Call us today at (727) 787-2500 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let’s talk about how we can help you recover compensation and peace of mind.