Do Cyclists Have to Remain at Crash Scenes in Tampa?

Cyclists must remain at crash scenes in Florida. A bicycle falls under the legal classification of a “vehicle” in the Sunshine State, which means that a cyclist must follow the exact same rules as drivers. If a cyclist was involved in your car accident and they fled before the police arrived, they may face criminal charges. An experienced e-bike accident lawyer in Tampa may be able to help you pursue compensation in this situation.

Anyone Involved in Your Crash Must Remain at the Scene

Florida law states that anyone who was involved in your crash must remain at the scene. This is true whether the person involved was a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver. If a cyclist who contributed to your accident in any way flees the scene, they may face criminal hit-and-run charges in Florida. In addition, a person who flees the scene of a crash in this manner arguably worsens your injuries by failing to call first responders quickly.

How Does Florida Define “Involvement?”

Florida defines involvement in fairly broad terms. Even if a cyclist contributed slightly to your accident, they were “involved.” For example, a cyclist must have run a red light, causing another driver to veer out of their lane and crash into your vehicle. If the cyclist keeps pedaling in this situation, they are committing a hit-and-run. Someone may become involved in a crash without actually coming into physical contact with anyone else.

What if the Cyclist Merely Witnessed My Crash?

The penalties for fleeing a crash are less severe for those who merely witness the incident. In fact, a cyclist may face no penalties at all if they keep pedaling after witnessing a serious accident. Although their testimony might help in this situation, they are under no legal obligation to stop and cooperate with law enforcement.

If you believe that a cyclist who left the scene of your crash may be able to help in your personal injury lawsuit, tell your lawyer. An experienced auto accident lawyer may be able to track down the cyclist and convince them to testify. This may help you prove negligence and recover compensation.

How Do I Track Down a Cyclist Who Was Involved in My Crash?

If you believe that a cyclist might have been involved in your accident, you should tell both your lawyer and local law enforcement. Local investigators may be able to track the cyclist down using traffic surveillance cameras. Your lawyer may also use various investigative methods to track down the cyclist.

Can a Tampa E-Bike Accident Lawyer Help Me?

If a cyclist has caused your injuries, they must remain at the scene of the accident until police officers arrive. Many cyclists mistakenly believe that hit-and-run rules do not apply to them. An experienced e-bike accident lawyer in Tampa may be able to help you track down the people responsible for your injuries. Contact Anderson & Anderson at 813-251-0072 to learn more about the next steps.

Source: 

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