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Bicycle on its side in a bike lane beside a stopped car on an Inverness street
September 24, 2026

What to do after a bicycle accident in Inverness
Bicycle Accidents, Personal Injury

By Christopher Dyer, Partner at Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Injury Attorneys · Member, The Florida Bar · Last updated September 24, 2026

Hit while riding, maybe on the Withlacoochee State Trail or one of Inverness’s rural roads? The good news up front: Florida gives cyclists the same rights as drivers, and if a car hits you, your own auto PIP can cover your injuries even though you were on a bike. What you do in the first minutes and days protects your health and your claim.

1. Get to safety and get medical care

Move out of the roadway if you can, and call 911. Bike-crash injuries are often more serious than they first feel, so accept an evaluation and see a doctor even if you think you are okay.

2. Document the scene

If you are able, photograph the bike, the vehicle, the road, and the bike lane or trail crossing, and get the driver’s information and witness contacts. Do not apologize or guess about fault.

Paved trail crossing and sign meeting an Inverness road with a stopped car

3. Know your rights and your coverage

In Florida, a cyclist has the rights and duties of any driver (Fla. Stat. § 316.2065), and drivers must give at least three feet of space when passing you (Fla. Stat. § 316.083). On coverage: your own auto PIP (Fla. Stat. § 627.736) generally covers your injuries as a cyclist hit by a car, so get care within the 14-day window. Fault can be shared under Florida’s comparative negligence rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81).

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Inverness, Florida

  1. Get medical care within the first days, even if you feel okay.

  2. Preserve photos, the bike, the driver’s information, and witness names.

  3. Check which PIP coverage applies to you.

  4. Talk to a local attorney before dealing with the driver’s insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Does insurance cover me if I am hit on my bike? Often yes. Florida’s no-fault PIP can cover a cyclist through their own auto policy, a resident relative’s policy, or the vehicle that struck them.

Do cyclists have to follow traffic laws in Florida? Yes. A cyclist has the same rights and duties as a driver under Fla. Stat. § 316.2065, including stopping at signals and riding with traffic.

What is Florida’s three-foot passing law? Under Fla. Stat. § 316.083, a driver passing a bicycle must leave at least three feet of clearance. A violation can be evidence of the driver’s fault.

Talk to a real attorney, free

If you or someone you love was hurt while cycling in Inverness or anywhere in Citrus County, we are ready to help. Get a free case evaluation: no pressure, no obligation, and no fee unless we win your case. (Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.)

Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer, Injury Attorneys · 2200 Highway 44 West, Inverness, FL 34453 · (352) 469-0080

About the author

Christopher Dyer is a partner at Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Injury Attorneys and a member of The Florida Bar. The firm has more than 20 years of experience and has recovered over $100 million for injured clients across West Central Florida.

This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Talk to an attorney about your specific situation.